INVESTIGATING THE IMPACTS OF REFUGEES ON HOSTING COMMUNITIES: A CASE OF SHERKOLE REFUGEE CAMP IN ETHIOPIA

This research has investigated the positive and negative impacts of forced migration on the hosting communities of Sherkole refugee camp area. The influx of huge number of refugees may put pressure on local people where both communities were competing with scarce resources. This study therefore aimed at investigating the socio-economic and the socio-cultural impacts of refugees on both communities of the study area. This study employed the qualitative research approach and used a purposive sampling technique for collecting data from participants. Hence, sources were gathered by interviews key informants and focus group discussions from the host communities were analyzed qualitatively. In addition to the primary sources, secondary sources were used to consolidate information that has been gathered through interviews, and focus group discussions. The findings indicated that the presence of refugees has both positive and negative impacts. The major positive findings were the socio-economic impacts like new job opportunities, small business activity, and availability of markets for local farmers around the refugee camp. Besides, along with refugees some professional persons arrived and provided social services for both receiving and refugee communities. On the other hand, as findings revealed that the socio-cultural impacts were regarded as negative impacts of refugees such as, conflict, insecurity, expansion of prostitution, rapping local girls, fighting each other to mention a few. Generally, as the results revealed both negative and positive impacts are witnessed. Finally, based on the findings, the researcher recommended: host community development, launching awareness creation project, positive intervention and improve social interaction.