Op-Ed: Refugees Deserve Self-Reliance, Not Perpetual Aid

Refugee crises often dominate global headlines, yet the stories surrounding them remain frustratingly incomplete. Media stories highlight dire conditions and urgent humanitarian needs but rarely emphasize what comes next. How do we ensure refugees thrive once their immediate needs are met? This question is more urgent today, with over 37.9 million refugees worldwide as of 2023, according to the UNHCR. The answer lies in sustainability, not environmental sustainability, but the ability for refugees to grow, thrive, and rebuild their lives without lifelong dependence on aid. The current approach to refugee assistance is well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed. Camps are set up for temporary relief but often become semi-permanent, trapping refugees in cycles of dependency and limiting their potential. This may sound like a missed opportunity, but from another view, it is injustice.

Aid Dependency Fails Refugees

Refugee camps, while critical in emergencies, are not sustainable solutions. They restrict mobility, prohibit legal work, and offer little in the way of education or vocational training. These conditions keep refugees reliant on international aid, which is increasingly strained due to donor fatigue and competing global crises. Take Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, home to over 250,000 people. Despite entrepreneurial energy within the camp, refugees face severe restrictions on employment opportunities. Many are forced to rely on small-scale, informal businesses that barely meet their needs, let alone help them achieve financial independence. This model also strains host communities, which must absorb the social and economic costs of refugee influxes without sufficient support. Refugees are often portrayed as burdens rather than assets, worsening tensions and undermining social cohesion.

Self-Reliance

Self-reliance, by contrast, benefits both refugees and their host countries. Uganda offers a compelling example. By granting refugees the right to work, access education, and own businesses, Uganda has enabled many to achieve economic independence. Refugees in Uganda contribute to local markets, pay taxes, and build thriving enterprises that benefit their communities. This approach empowers refugees while at the same time contributing to Uganda's economic growth. Kenya has also made significant strides through the introduction of the Kenya Refugee Act 2021. The Act offers refugees freedom of movement, the right to work, and access to financial services, among other rights. The Shirika Plan is also playing a critical role. The Shirika Plan is a multi-year initiative that aims to promote the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees in Kenya by transforming camps into integrated settlements for both refugees and asylum seekers.

Education is another cornerstone of self-reliance. Globally, only 68% of refugee children enroll in primary school, and the numbers fall at higher levels. Without education, an entire generation of refugees risks being left behind. Programs like Instant Network Schools, which provide digital learning platforms in refugee camps, are a step in the right direction. Luminos Fund is also doing fantastic work in Lebanon by supporting refugee children who are both out of school and ineligible to enroll in formal education, as well as refugee students in school who need extra support to maintain their academic standing and progress to the next grade level.?However, these initiatives must be scaled to ensure that no refugee is excluded from opportunities to learn and grow.

Economic inclusion is equally critical. If given the chance, refugees possess diverse skills and talents that can drive innovation and economic growth. Jordan’s Azraq Refugee Camp piloted a program granting work permits to refugees, enabling them to support themselves and contribute to the local economy. These examples show that self-reliance is an achievable goal.

What Next?

The global refugee crisis demands a paradigm shift in how governments and other partners think about and address displacement. Host countries must remove the legal barriers that prevent refugees from working, owning property, and starting businesses. These policy reforms should be viewed as investments in economic growth and social stability. When given the opportunity, refugees can become active contributors to their host communities, enriching local economies and strengthening societal bonds. Education and vocational training must also be prioritized. Governments and international organizations need to allocate resources to ensure refugees have access to quality education and skills development programs tailored to their needs and the demands of local markets. Education is the foundation of independence and self-reliance. The private sector has an equally critical role to play. Businesses can support refugees by offering job placements, investing in their entrepreneurial ventures, and providing the necessary tools and resources for success. Private-public partnerships have the potential to unlock opportunities that traditional aid systems cannot achieve alone.

Finally, the global community, especially donors, must transition from short-term aid to long-term investment in sustainable programs. Initiatives such as microfinance and social enterprise funding can empower refugees to build their futures, reduce dependency, and contribute meaningfully to society. Shifting the focus from dependence to opportunity creates an environment where refugees are empowered to rebuild their lives with dignity. The refugee crisis can be transformed into a story of resilience, self-reliance, and shared prosperity.

As I conclude, I believe refugees are not just victims of circumstance; they are individuals with dreams, skills, and the determination to rebuild their lives. The time has come to shift the perspective from perpetual aid to opportunity and growth. Host nations, international organizations, and private entities must work together to create systems that support refugees in achieving self-reliance. Investing in refugees’ potential can turn displacement into opportunity, creating a future where everyone succeeds. World leaders and international organizations should not wait for the next crisis to act; the time to act and foster sustainable solutions is now.