Impact of Refugee Crisis on Human Security in West Africa
Chapter One
Objectives of the study
This study seeks to examine the impact of refugee crisis on human security in West Africa.
- To examine the dynamics of the socio-Political and economic implications that is associated with refugees‟ security phenomenon, within the African continent.
- To find out the problems associated with refugees in West Africa.
- To unravel the implication of refugee on Africa’s social, political, security and economic development.
- To enable lessons learned from national, regional and international human security experiences to be shared
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Global Crisis: Obligations and Opportunities
The global refugee/FDP crisis is complex and confounding, revealing disrupted systems, citizen/consumer disenfranchisement and a daunting challenge that calls for cooperation resources, interdisciplinary approaches and creative problemsolving (e.g., Amnesty International 2017). Different scholarly perspectives and practical interventions have aimed to explain relevant phenomena and to offer actionable solutions (ElSaffar 2017; Malkki 1992; Maxwell and Watkins 2003; World Bank 2017b). Marketing, particularly services marketing, has emerged in this discourse (e.g., Farmaki and Christou 2019). The Journal of Macromarketing has not been a favored outlet for research on FDP. However, some recent contributions offer exceptions (e.g., Krisjanous and Kadirov 2018; Sredl, Shultz, and Breˇcic´ 2017), which may presage greater interest and more articles. Still absent however is a context-specific schema to analyze the dynamic and evolving needs of FDP as both opportunity and obligation for constructive engagement via business and marketing. Such a schema is a compelling and logical extension of the genesis and evolution of the developmental and systems schools of Macromarketing (e.g., Domegan et al. 2019; Layton 2009, 2019; Meade and Nason 1991; Mittelstaedt et al. 2014; Peterson 2013; Shultz 2007; Shultz et al. 2012; Slater 1968; Wooliscroft and GanglmairWooliscroft 2018). Layton and Duffy (2018), for example, have noted the significance of “jolting” a system, which can require a fresh start to the extant system or perhaps entirely new systems (p. 401). War – its systemic, human destruction – is such a jolt, requiring constructive engagement to replace, repair and integrate systems, some of which may not have been required or even desired prior to the devastation (Shultz 2016). This in turn leads to a path dependency (Layton and Duffy 2018) – truly, a life-support system – unfamiliar to FDP, in the form of a Refugee Pathway and ideally a more Humanitarian Marketing System, which we articulate, below, including some initiatives and resources of catalytic institutions that ensure safe passage and resettlement. Humanitarian initiatives that include social business or managerial perspectives are not new to Macromarketing (cf. Zif 1980). We believe however they are underappreciated, especially when one considers the extent to which imaginative business applications can contribute to solutions required for complex, intractable problems. Recent examples include explorations and interpretations of alternative markets (e.g., Campana, Chatzidakis, and Laamanen 2017; Haase, Becker, and Pick 2018); considerations for improving the lives and dignity of marginalized groups (e.g., Jagadale, Kadirov, and Chakraborty 2018); understanding the human-trafficking marketing system (e.g., Pennington et al. 2009), and multi-factor, systemic models and methods to assess distressed communities, and to offer coordinated and actionable paths toward individual, community and societal well-being (e.g., Shultz, Rahtz, and Sirgy 2017). The scale and scope of challenges and threats faced by FDP are enormous. They are exposed to unpredictable and disastrous environments during forced migrations and (re)settlements; coupled with the involution, conflict and intersectionality of geography, politics, economics and culture. This is a cry-out for researchers to study the systemic complexity and humanity of this crisis, and to offer humane solutions (e.g., Baker 2009; see also Barrios et al. 2016; Bennett et al. 2016; Shultz et al. 2005). Those solutions will require goods, services and experiences; traditional and alternative markets and marketing skills; the creation of makeshift and sustainable communities; opportunities for physically, intellectually and emotionally enriching consumer experiences. Particularly compelling in this endeavor is an opportunity to meld the conceptual with the practical; the critical with the developmental (Mittelstaedt et al. 2014). That is, while we draw attention to failings that devastate societies and people in them, we also offer systemic marketing solutions intended to provide immediate succor and hope, while also laying the foundation for peaceful, prosperous and sustainable societies, with distinct capabilities and catalytic institutions to save and to protect FDP (Shultz et al. 2012; see also Kadirov 2018). Moreover, businesses and marketing endeavors that constructively engage by humanely evincing “Queenship” – ethical, sustainable, historically sensitive and systemic activities to enhance life-quality for their stakeholders, including the poor and most vulnerable – are imperative to the process and outcomes of sustainable peace and prosperity for consumers, communities and nation-states (Peterson 2013, p. 20; see also Arndt 1981; Sredl, Shultz, and Breˇcic´ 2017).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine impact of refugee crisis on human security in west Africa. Ministry of foreign affairs, Abuja forms the population of the study.
SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION
A study sample is simply a systematic selected part of a population that infers its result on the population. In essence, it is that part of a whole that represents the whole and its members share characteristics in like similitude (Udoyen, 2019). In this study, the researcher adopted the convenient sampling method to determine the sample size.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain impact of refugee crisis on human security in West Africa. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of impact of refugee crisis on human security in West Africa
Summary
This study was on impact of refugee crisis on human security in West Africa. Two objectives were raised which included: To examine the dynamics of the socio-Political and economic implications that is associated with refugees‟ security phenomenon, within the African continent, to find out the problems associated with refugees in West Africa, to unravel the implication of refugee on Africa’s social, political, security and economic development and to enable lessons learned from national, regional and international human security experiences to be shared. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from ministry of foreign affairs. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Finally, human security and development provides a holistic approach to promoting peace. In other words, the presence of human insecurity automatically translates into developmental crisis and vice versa. Using development-security nexus is in line with the modern approaches and debate on human security and development will provide a basis for the deeper understanding of the concepts at the international level. Despite being broad, and given the challenges from other schools of thought, the human security and development paradigm provides an ideal shift in understanding peace, security and conflict transformation. Peace may not necessarily mean absence of war, but attaining human security and development would mean promoting a stable environment. In various states where conflicts have ended or are boiling underneath, there is the need to adopt the development-security nexus to tackle the menace. As a final point and result, this paper highlights how human security issues complicate developmental crisis in West Africa due to its ambiguity.
Recommendation
NGO and government should provide adequate security to refugee. It is necessary for state to take concrete measures to refrain from partisan and accord in all competing internal constituencies access to state resources. Lack of this lie in the African conflict.
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