Beyond two homes: Despair and hope a case study on jalazoi refugee Camp-Pakistan

Abstract

The number of disasters (natural and man-made) that occur in the world have tremendously been causing great damages to the environment and vast populations of life on it. Large number of people suffer and become completely unstable being forced to live in temporary shelters (such as tents). Experience shows rebuilding and reconstructing life is a long and painful process especially for displaced people. This thesis aims at exploring the problems faced while rebuilding life to an organized setting. Fast rebuilding technologies are needed as well as strategies for implementing them in the most cost effective way. The research also discusses the optimal solutions that aims to help displaced people to rebuild their lives.The research is not only to investigate on the present conditions of these people living in camps/shelters, but also to figure out appropriate ways in which they can be facilitated. The approach is to look beyond the basic needs of health, shelter and clothing and support them as part of the family. Integration between the locals and refugees is perhaps one of the important steps that need to be taken in healing their lives. This is also studied to great depth. The thesis focuses on the Afghan refugees and displaced people settled in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan. On the outskirts of the city lies the Jalazoi camp which has been set up over more than 10 years. The idea was to have proper field research, photographic documentation and data collection through surveys. The presence of big NGO's such as the UNHCR helped thoroughly in conducting research as they were not biased and had neutral opinion over the issues between government and Internally Displaced People (IDP).