Borderlands in Africa as an asylum for war and political refugees
Abstract
Africa is placed second among all continents as to the number of refugees.
The number of persons remaining under the mandate of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees – UNHCR in Africa has reached 6,072,900 (as for
January 1, 2002) or 27.86% of all registered refugees on the world (UNHCR
basic..., 2002). Only in Asia there are more refugees: 38.77%. It should be
noted, though, that only a part of refugees are comprised in the UNHCR
registers.
Two categories of refugees can be distinguished: international and internal
ones. The former includes persons who have crossed at least one state border
while emigrating; the latter includes internally displaced persons (IDPs).There is no clear-cut definition of the ‘refugee camp’. This term is applied to
settlements that vary as to their size and character. Generally speaking, the
refugee camps are restricted areas, accessible only for refugees and people who
assist them. The refugee camp are conceived as temporary shelters where
refugees are taken into care until they can go back home or move to another
place. Contrary to refugee villages or refugee settlements, the refugee camp are
usually not self-sufficient. Three types of refugee camps can be distinguished with regard to their
situation in relation to international borders:
1. Refugee camps situated in borderlands within the country of origin. They
draw migrants fleeing local civil wars or political prosecutions who, however, do
not find the situation dramatic enough to definitely leave their country. Refugees
remain in an immediate proximity of the border, always ready to emigrate
abroad.
2. Refugee camps situated also in borderlands but outside the territory of the
sending country. Refugees remain in touch with their country, waiting for
changes in politico-military situation that would make possible their return
home.
3. Refugee camps located up-country, often near large cities (capitals in
particular). For such camps are not related to border areas, in this paper they are
left out of account.
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