In Search of Cool Ground: War, Flight & Homecoming in Northeast Africa

This volume focusses on population displacement in one of the most disturbed parts of Africa. For thousands of people flight across an international border occurs repeatedly and is not a uniquely traumatic event. For thousands more, displacement has occurred within their own countries.The chapters demonstrate that in situations of such long-term upheaval, notions of flight into refuge and repatriation to a homeland cease to have much meaning. These populations have received minimal assistance from international organizations and have lacked protection from oppressive governments and marauding guerrillas. Their plight has largely been ignored.A conference organized in Addis Ababa by UNRISD drew attention to this problem and discussed new ways in which relief and development work might be organized. Most of the chapters in this book are by researchers and aid workers with many years experience of assisting displaced groups. It develops issues raised in When Refugees Go Home.