EFFECT OF REFUGEE CAMPS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HOST COMMUNITIES IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the Effect of Refugee Camps on the Socio-Economic Development of the Host Communities in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted the qualitative research design and regression analysis as methodology. Primary date was sourced. Three hypotheses were tested and descriptive statistics was also used to complement the regression result. The result from the study found that Social Impact of Refugees have impacted on the Socio-Economic Development of the Host Community in Cross River State, Nigeria significantly and negatively; that Economic Impact of Refugees does not have significant impact on the Socio-Economic Development of the Host Community in Cross River State of Nigeria and that Refugees Poverty affect Socio-Economic Development of the Host Community in Cross River State of Nigeria significantly. The implication of this is that if the economic impact of refugees is stable, it will contribute positively to the Socio-Economic Development of the Host Community in Cross River State of Nigeria. We, therefore, recommend that Cross River State Government, the Federal Government and other aid agencies need to provide jobs and livelihood programs that will help refugees achieve self-reliance also boosting the economy of host community. The more integrated refugees become, the stronger the contribution to the economy of the host the community.