Assessing the Effect of Integration Programs on Socioeconomic Adaptation of Refugees in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess integration programs and refugees’ socioeconomic adaptation in Nairobi, Kenya. The following research goals acted as the guide to the study: identifying the impact of education through integration programs on refugees' socioeconomic adaptation in Nairobi, Kenya; assessing the impact of Healthcare on refugees' socioeconomic adaptation in Nairobi, Kenya; identifying the impact of government policies on integration programs on refugees' socioeconomic adaptation in Nairobi, Kenya; and evaluating the impact of housing on integration programs on refugees' socioeconomic adaptation in Nairobi, Kenya. The study combined two theories: the social integration theory, and the Human Development Index theory. The study used a descriptive correlational design considering the 78,912 refugees in Nairobi as the study's target population. Purposive sampling was used to select 300 respondents from the listed refugee NGOs. A questionnaire was used to collect data with reliability at a Cronbach Alpha of above 0.89 in all the variable tests. The findings of the study were presented using graphs and charts produced through SPSS tool. The findings of the research study showed existence of a strong positive relationship at r = .856 between education and socio-economic adaptation of refugees, where the education programs attributed 73.3% to the success of socio-economic adaptation of refugees. From the study, there was a moderately strong positive relation at r = .476 between healthcare and socio-economic adaptation of refugees, where Healthcare Programs attributed 22.7% to the success of socio-economic adaptation of refugees. There was a weak positive relation at r = .238 between government policies and refugees’ socio-economic adaptation, where government policies in place contributed to about 18.22% to the success of socio-economic adaptation of refugees. Lastly, from the study a strong positive relation at r = .781 existed between housing and socio-economic adaptation of refugees, where the housing programs attributed 61.1% to the success of socio-economic adaptation of refugees. The social-economic adaptation of refugees was concluded to be strongly influenced by education and housing in integration programs. Refugee NGOs are recommended to provide learning opportunities to the refugees through their integration programs by investing in education and training that creates impactful practical skills for self-sustainability. The need for industrial training has been highlighted to sharing of skills from the local community industries. The study recommends that the healthcare for refugees should be reviewed to create more affordable and accessible services. This study further recommends that governments should get more involved in supporting refugees with fair policies as they adapt to society. This includes developing legal assistance programs, tailored job training initiatives, and community support networks that provide essential resources and guidance as refugees navigate their new environments. The study also recommends that housing to be made even more accessible or maintain the standards as they currently are in the integration programs. The study suggests similar studies on refugee integration programs in other non-urban counties within the country and focuses on studies touching refugee integration programs influenced by other factors.