Socio-economic Impact of Somali Refugees on the Host Community in Addis Ababa

Abstract

The principal aim of this book is to explore the Socio-economic impact of Somali refugees on the host community of Woreda 01/02 of Bole Michael area, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Accordingly, the study intended to look at the social and economic changes brought about by the Somali refugees on their host community. It also gives further emphasis to the dimensions of the impact, especially, in terms of its positive and negative aspect and measures the attitudes of the locals toward the refugees. Furthermore, the study employed Refugee Aid and Development Theories as theoretical orientation in order to have a clear road map regarding the impacts of refugees on the host community
To achieve the aforementioned objectives, a total of 30 respondents were selected purposively from among the host community and were divided in to four groups with the aim of including those segments of the society who are at the immediate contact with the refugees; hence, the groups are: land lords, small shop owners, Chat sellers and inhabitants of the study area.
In order to make the qualitative analysis lucid, the data obtained through in-depth interview were presented in the form of direct quotes and discussions were made where appropriate.
Results of the study revealed that economic and social changes which were brought by the Somali refugees on the host community in Woreda 01/02 were of significant to be taken in to consideration. For instance, the Somalis were helping in expanding the local market by running small shops. On the other hand, some of the local shop owners were complaining at the Somali owned shops for losing clienteles. The result further corroborates that the positive impact appears to have been on those already economically better off i.e., those with assets like renting house, Chat shop and small shops while those without assets were found non beneficiaries. With regards to the social impact, indicators like the frequency of interaction between the locals and the Somali refugees and attitudes of locals towards marriage with the Somalis were used. And the findings show that overall the social impact is positive.
At the end, the researcher of this study recommends that mechanisms should be designed at different stages to avert the problem arising due to the Somali refugees. Hence, local NGOs in Woreda 01/02 as well as the Woreda administration must work to address the issue of those sections of the host community who are suffering due to lack of renting house because of Somali refugees’ presence. Apart from this, concerted effort is required by refugee institutions like churches and mosques in integrating refugees with the host community.