The geography of refugee flows to Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper refocuses attention on refugee movements into Zimbabwe, a subject which has largely been ignored in academic literature for the past two decades. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the geographical patterns of refugee flows into Zimbabwe against a backdrop of changing economic and political conditions in the country. Even though Zimbabwe’s refugee policy allows for the integration of refugees into towns and villages, the government prefers to have refugees settle in camps where they can receive support from the UNHCR and other humanitarian groups. Ultimately, the goal of the Zimbabwe’s refugee protection programme is repatriation.

Keywords:

• refugees
• Zimbabwe
• displacement
• encampment
• repatriation