Impacts of South Sudanese Refuges on the Host Communities of Gambella

With the core objective of analyzing the relationships between refugees and host communities, this study assesses the economic, socio-cultural and security impacts of South Sudanese refugees on the host communities of Itang Woreda in Gambella region. The unprecedented crisis have produced a mixture of humanitarian concern for thousands of people forced into exile and potential threat to the social, economic and political stability of host communities caused by its influxes. Qualitative analysis was used for data gathered through interviewing of informants from refugees, host communities and officials from the camp and field observation. On the other hand, secondary sources were used in order to address the objectives of the research. At last, the study find out that the presence of refugees in the region has both negative and positive impacts. As the findings show, the presence of refugees are having negative environmental, health, sanitation, socio-cultural and security impacts on the host community. On the other hand, economic impacts have been positive such as new job opportunity, small business activity and availability of market for local farmers around the refugee camp.