SURVIVAL OF THE INVISIBLE: ECONOMIC SECURITY OF AFRICAN URBAN REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN BANGKOK

Abstract

In Africa the refugee crisis is still a great concern as witnessed in several countries. The crises force millions of people to flee to countries all over the world. Thailand is a not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol so they do not recognize refugees' status. This means that refugees in the country have a hard time trying to sustain their livelihood especially for those living outside the refugee camps. That is why this study seeks to understand the economic situation of African urban refugees and asylum seekers and what extent they can access economic security especially income generation. This study also looks at the adaptive strategies that these urban refugees and asylum seekers use and if there are any forms of financial support systems available. This is a qualitative study with data collection based on key informants' interview and observation as well as the use of secondary data. The research involved a sample of eighteen participants, 15 African urban refugees and asylum seekers and three officials from Non-Government Organizations that deal with refugees. The findings of the study on the current economic situation are most of the urban refugees had no form of employment but a few worked in the informal sector. Those without jobs have adaptive strategies such as living in groups to share costs, relied on allowance organization, charity, and social networks. Under financial support; they practiced informal lending, relied on NGOs, the UNHCR allowances, local support and religious networks.