Human Security and Afghan Refugee Resettlement in the US: A Case Study of Camp Atterbury

This study examines the application of human security theory in the humanitarian operation at Camp Atterbury, which provided temporary resettlement for over 7,200 Afghan evacuees in the State of Indiana as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW). Afghan evacuees were admitted to the US under humanitarian parole and experienced a transitional period since their arrival on August 2021. Using the three pillars of human security: freedom from fear, freedom from want, and freedom to live in dignity, conceptualized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Kofi Annan, this analysis explores the security measures, essential services, and accommodations implemented to support Afghan refugees. This research utilizes a case study approach focused on Camp Atterbury, using open-source data from official reports and archives, government documentation, media briefings, and records from many institutions and organizations involved in the camp’s six-month operational period. Key areas of evaluation include security measures, healthcare and educational programs, and legal assistance. The analysis reveals that Camp Atterbury implemented a comprehensive human security framework which ensured freedom from fear, freedom from want, and freedom to live in dignity. The findings suggest lessons and policy implications for future humanitarian operations.