Three groups of Burmese refugees in Thailand are compared in this study: self-settled refugees in rural areas, self-settled refugees in urban areas and refugees in camps. The ultimate goal of this study is to broaden the knowledge on what the consequences of a particular settlement choice are for the livelihoods of refugees; this analysis will be accompanied by policy recommendations for interventions by humanitarian agencies. Furthermore, the study will look into the links that might exist between members of the three selected groups, and between them and relatives in other domains of the refugee diasporas, to determine if and to what extent they form a transnational network. An adapted livelihoods approach that takes into account the importance of institutions and the vulnerability of displaced people will be applied.

• Funded by: BOF (Ghent University) (2006-2009)