Changing patterns of migration from Afghanistan: Implications for Australia

Abstract

Over the last quarter of a century, refugee and other forced migration has increased substantially not only in scale but also in complexity and diversity. These changes have meant that traditional approaches to management and solution of refugee situations and protection of refugees have become less appropriate. The present study investigates several dimensions of the changing situation with respect to refugees, particularly Afghan refugees, as a basis for developing appropriate theoretical frameworks, relevant policy and program recommendations for providing protection for migrants, the solution of refugee problems and maximising the benefits of migration to origin and destination areas. Afghanistan remains one of the world’s poorest countries; with its development, health, and socioeconomic indicators lying near the bottom of most rankings. As a result of the political upheavals in Afghanistan since the late 1970s, the flow of refugees and other migrants between Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and several third countries including Australia has been one of the largest global migration systems over the last quarter century. Utilizing various datasets drown from recently conducted surveys in Iran and Australia, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of: (a) the structure, scale and spatial patterning of movements; (b) the characteristics of movers; (c) the drivers of the different types of movements; (d) the impacts of different types of migration on Iran, Australia, Afghanistan and the migrants themselves; and (e) the nature of the relationships between refugee migration on the one hand and other types of mobility. The study will also examines the degree and process of adaptation of Afghan refugees and migrants in the two destination places, and the extent to which these patterns influence their settlement in the destination place or return strategies to their homeland or to third country/ies.