TRAFIG – Transnational Figurations of Displacement

Objectives

The project's overall objective is to develop solutions for protracted displacement situations (PDS) that are better tailored to the needs and capacities of persons affected by displacement. Current policies struggle to find solutions to forced displacement. Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are often stuck in ‘limbo’, i.e. living in situations of vulnerability, dependency and immobility, due to continuous cycles of displacement and a lack of durable options. The project will therefore aim at answering the questions of whether and how PDS, dependency and vulnerability are related to the factors of connectivity and mobility. It will further look at how connectivity and mobility can be operationalized to enhance the self-reliance and resilience of displaced people.

Summary

Protracted displacement situations are estimated to affect about 13 million individuals globally, approximately two-thirds of the 20 million refugees today. PDS affects both refugees who have left their countries of origin as well as internally displaced individuals subsisting in precarious living conditions and seeking stability and safety with no prospects of local integration, resettlement, or safe return. TRAFIG will conduct its research by analysing specific sites of exhibited protracted displacement situations throughout Asia, Africa and Europe to better understand the daily lives and challenges of those living in PDS and to ultimately devise new and creative approaches to alleviate these problems. Moreover, TRAFIG seeks to explore the relationship between connectivity and mobility, and the realities of protracted displacement situations which increase vulnerability to understand how PDS can be challenged.

ICMPD’s policy unit leads the stakeholder engagement and dialogue with policymakers and further seeks innovative options to exploit results. In addition, the unit examines governance frameworks on displacement at the European and global levels.

For more information please see the project website: Home | TRAFIG – Transnational Figurations of Displacement

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