International Migrants Day
Understanding and addressing the complex challenges of migrants
Migration, whether forced or voluntary, is rarely a singular experience. Refugees often confront a cascade of interrelated challenges, from fleeing violence to navigating displacement, and from securing basic survival needs to rebuilding livelihoods in unfamiliar settings. Each challenge carries its own weight, yet the overlap between them can create compounded hardships that demand nuanced responses. Recognising the multiple layers of migrants’ experiences is crucial for both policymakers and humanitarian actors seeking to provide meaningful support.
A compelling example comes from the publication Refuge? Refugees’ Stories of Rebuilding Their Lives in Kenya, a collection of first-hand accounts from refugees living in Kenya. These stories, collected through Tufts University’s Finance in Displacement (FIND) project, were recorded by community-based biographers in Kakuma, Mombasa, and Nairobi. By capturing their own stories and those of neighbours and friends, refugees were able to express the disruption caused by war, the difficult journey of flight, and the ongoing struggle to rebuild a life under enduring uncertainty. The personal narratives highlight not only the resilience of individuals but also the complex and interwoven challenges they face.
One key insight from these stories is the question of how to approach these challenges. Should each challenge, displacement, financial insecurity, social marginalisation, and access to healthcare be handled separately, or should interventions attempt to address them holistically?
The Refuge? Refugees’ Stories of Rebuilding Their Lives in Kenya case study suggests that separating challenges can be both practical and informative. By distinguishing between the immediate effects of forced migration, such as trauma and loss, and the longer-term consequences, such as economic marginalisation or restricted access to financial services, stakeholders can design targeted solutions that respond to specific needs while recognising broader systemic constraints.
For instance, the FIND project provides a human-centred analysis of the financial realities of refugees in Kenya. Financial challenges are not isolated; they intersect with issues of housing, education, and social inclusion. Yet by examining them specifically, the project reveals clear opportunities for intervention, such as supporting refugee-led institutions, improving access to banking services, and advocating for financial rights. This targeted focus equips policymakers, NGOs, and international organisations with actionable insights that may be less visible in a purely holistic analysis. In other words, separating challenges allows for deeper understanding, better prioritisation, and tailored responses.
At the same time, these stories underscore that challenges cannot be entirely compartmentalised. The uncertainty of displacement affects mental health, which in turn influences the ability to work, save, or access social services. Financial constraints may limit access to education or healthcare, reinforcing cycles of vulnerability. The interconnectedness of challenges calls for coordinated strategies that link interventions across domains. Addressing financial needs without supporting social inclusion, or tackling health challenges without considering economic barriers, risks providing only temporary relief rather than creating lasting solutions.
This publication therefore serves a dual purpose: it illuminates individual struggles while providing a framework for analysing systemic issues. By presenting the personal and the structural side by side, it allows stakeholders to appreciate both the interconnections between challenges and the value of focused interventions. Furthermore, the approach taken by FIND, training refugees to document their own experiences, empowers affected communities to lead the narrative, ensuring that solutions reflect lived realities rather than assumptions.
Ultimately, migrants’ experiences in Kenya, and globally, illustrate the necessity of a balanced approach. Separating challenges enables targeted, evidence-based interventions to tackle specific problems effectively. Simultaneously, acknowledging the links between these challenges ensures that responses remain integrated and sustainable. Publications like Refuge? Refugees’ Stories of Rebuilding Their Lives in Kenya remind us that addressing the complexity of migration requires both focus and perspective, combining human-centred storytelling with actionable insights that can guide policy, advocacy, and support for those rebuilding their lives under uncertain conditions.
