Refugees in Developing Countries and Transnational Organization

Large-scale refugee flows, typically occurring in developing countries, inspire the formation of transnational networks that pose new issues of policymaking, direction, execution, and legitimacy. Institutional responses to the presence of refugees, often in the poorest and least well-administered areas on earth, comprise reactions at the local, national, and transnational levels, including both intergovernmental and voluntary organizations. These responses produce ad hoc organizational entities to deal with unanticipated difficulties. Even after news of a refugee flow is spread, governments can still adopt an isolating policy but more likely will be forced to turn to such transnational networks for help. In a widely felt political disturbance, the positions of the great powers will have a substantial conditioning effect on the handling of refugees. Whatever the pattern of response, refugees tend to involve the asylum state in transnational networks in order to cope with local repercussions as well as care of those in fight. Later, the emphasis may well shift from emergency to diplomatic networks as efforts are made to find a means of liquidating refugee incidents. The character of these networks is shifting and unpredictable, conditioned by specific circumstances. Nevertheless, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and other intergovernmental bodies serve as natural nuclei for expansion. More integrated modes of organization currently are of doubtful utility.