Urban Profiling of Refugee Situations in Delhi: Refugees from Myanmar, Afghanistan and Somalia and Their Indian Neighbours - A Comparative Study

UNHCR currently assists over 24,000 urban refugees and asylum-seekers in New Delhi originating from non-neighouring countries and Myanmar. This work has enabled UNHCR to build up a strong understanding of
the challenges facing these groups.
This profiling exercise of Afghan,
Somali and Myanmarese refugee
households alongside their local
Indian neighbours was designed to
supplement existing knowledge with
a new base of empirical evidence.
This will contribute to effective
programming and advocacy, in
particular in relation to UNHCR’s work
on promoting self-reliance.
Conducted between January and June
2013, the profiling study examined
the key components of refugee
livelihoods, namely employment,
housing, and financial security, as
well as physical safety.
The study was based on mixed
research methods, namely a survey of
over one thousand households as well
as a series of focus group discussions
and key informant interviews. The
analysis of the collected data has
allowed us to build a valuable picture
of the livelihood security of Afghan,
Somali and Myanmarese refugees visà-
vis their local Indian neighbours.
Within the report we use our findings
to examine the contributing and
impeding factors to refugee groups
securing a livelihood, looking at their
legal status, social capital, human
capital, and length of stay in Delhi.
A particular focus was given to access
to education.
The study has been carried out through
collaboration between UNHCR, the
Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS)
and the Feinstein International Centre
(Tufts University), alongside our
partner in Delhi, the Development and
Justice Initiative (DAJI).