Waiting in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp: Agency Through Self- and Community Organisation

Abstract

This research investigates the lived experience of “waiting” within the highly restrictive environment of the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Rather than viewing refugees as passive recipients of aid, the study highlights the robust agency demonstrated by residents through self-organization and the creation of community-based structures.

Key Themes

• The State of Waiting: Analyzing the psychological and social implications of long-term encampment and the lack of durable solutions.
• Self-Organization: Documentation of the various ways refugees create their own systems for support, education, and representation.
• Community Agency: How collective action within the camp environment serves as a tool for empowerment and survival.
• Institutional Interaction: Exploring the relationship between refugee-led organizations and the formal humanitarian structures (UNHCR, NGOs) operating in the camp.

Citation

Stammen, A. L. (2025). WAITING IN THE DZALEKA REFUGEE CAMP AGENCY THROUGH SELF-AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION.