Communicating with Forced Migrants at the Border Crossing Points and Temporary Camps: What Training is Required?*

Anastasia Atabekova¹**, Rimma Gorbatenko², Iuliia  Nozdracheva³

¹Prof. Dr., Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, aaatabekova@gmail.com

²Associate professor, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, RUSSIAN FEDERATION,

Gorbatenko_rg@pfur.ru

³ Master program graduate, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, RUSSIAN FEDERATION

ylkaxd66@yandex.ru

**Corresponding author

Abstract

The paper focuses on communication issues between forced migrants and the hosting country staff at the border crossing points and temporary camps. The research based on case studies.

The paper covers general situation and its repercussions that are grounded on official statistics.

The research hypothesis rested on the statement that special programs are required to facilitate communication and terminate tension between large groups of people from impoverished communities which share shelter on the current territories – all the events may lead to tension and misunderstanding.

The research aim was to identify general approaches and key components to design implement training of the border and camp staff who are the forefront forces to adapt forced migrants to new living conditions.

The mentioned goal required a number of steps to be undertaken. First, the forced migrants profile had to be mapped, the temporary camps population had to be studied, and the forms of their members’ interaction were supposed to be explored.

With regard to the relevant findings the training program components were explored and identified.

Particular attention was drawn to the temporary camp staff profile and the staff features as responsibilities. Cultural differences between indigenous personnel hired in third world countries and the expatriate recruited members of IGOs, donors from outside and transnational NGOs came to the research focus, as well.

The research methodology stood on literature review and empirical studies of refugee camps’ staff opinions and refugees’ experiences. The relevant data were taken from the media, refugees’ blogs, face-to-face interviews. Totally, 34 face to face interviews were conducted with representatives of 5 ethnic groups, 58 blog posts were analyzed.

The research results allowed for mapping key factors and strategies that should be taken into consideration to design a training program for the border and camp staff to effectively communicate with refugees. The research also allowed identifying those communicative skills that are a must for the border and camp staff of the hosting nation. The preliminary components of the training program were specified, as well.

Keywords: Communication with forced migrants, communication at the border crossing points and temporary camps, training for staff communication with forced migrants.

 

* The publication was prepared with support of the RUDN University Programme 5-100, grant under project М 4.1.1. П4.