The Impact Of South Sudanese Refugees' On The Host Communities In Ethiopia "A Case Study Gambella Regional State"

This dissertation investigated the impact of South Sudanese Refugees on the host community of Gambella People National Regional State(GPNRS),Ethiopia.Since independent Sudan and later the new nation South Sudan have been in civil war which forced many people to flee to the neighboring countries seeking safety.The Gambella region borders on turbulent South Sudan,where the majority of refugees originate.Currently the region hosts approximately half million refugees that posted potential threat to the socio-economic,environment political and security on the host community in Gambella.The dissertation followed an interpretivist approach and adopted qualitative research methods,where by data was gathered from members of the host community,refugees and government agencies as well as(international non-governmental organizations(INGOs)through interviews,focus group discussions and observation.Secondary data was collected from relevant literatures in order to address the basic objectives of the study.The research findings of this study indicate that the influx of refugees in the region has both positive and negative impacts.Notably,the positive impact is seen in terms of socio-economic aspects where by local people get market access for their products and benefited from the social services such as schools,health centers and clean water build for the refugees.However,the negative impact of refugees has outweighs the positive once as they clear the forest for various purposes that result to deforestation and natural resources depletion.In addition,the presence of refugee has altered the ethnic balance which entangles Anywaa and Nuer ethnic groups in to the endless circle of violent conflict and refugees are being used by certain local politicians to achieve their political objective.Of equal importance is exploring the complex relationship between the refugees and host communities of Gambella.In this regard,the interplay of several elements such as ethnic identity and socio-economic aspects is seen to determine the impacts as well as the level of interaction between refugees and host communities in the region.Though,the region had many social problems,the coming of refugees has fuel social cured such drug addiction,alcoholism,prostitution and thieves.