Urban Refugees in Asia Pacific - Resiliency and Coping Strategies - National consultations : Bangkok 15-16 August 2013

In 2012, APRRN collaborated with member organizations in Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Nepal to conduct the “Urban Refugees in Asia Pacific: Resiliency and Coping Strategies” pi- lot study. This research aimed to amplify refugees’ voices to raise more awareness about the particular challenges they face in a harsh, challenging and often exploitative environ- ment by outlining several broad themes that reflect the distinct issues related to surviving in an urban setting. Like most countries in the region, none of the countries in which the research was conducted are signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Furthermore, all four countries lack national legislation providing any legal protection to refugees, asylum seekers or stateless persons. Refugees in these countries are not allowed to work and face the constant threat of indefinite immigration detention if they are apprehended by authori- ties. However, despite the overwhelming barriers to living, the results of the study revealed that urban refugees overcome hardship through determination and demonstrate immense resilience.