Specific Groups

The effects of protracted displacement on individuals vary according to factors such as gender, age, class, race, ethnicity, or health. While refugees trapped in Protracted Refugee Situations generally are in need of protection, some groups face exceptional challenges. Particularly women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities stand out as having specific, group-related needs which lead to increased vulnerabilities in Protracted Refugee Situations.

Children

Children make up a large percentage of refugees caught up in protracted exile. There has been a tendency amongst policymakers and practitioners to ascribe vulnerability to children as a matter of course, seeing this as an inevitable consequence of being young in a situation of protracted displacement.

People with Disabilities

Persons with disabilities are amongst the world's most discriminated against and invisible; their situation of exclusion is greatly amplified in protracted refugee or displacement situations. In all types of displacement and refugee contexts, various barriers exist, preventing disabled persons from accessing their basic and specific needs. The rights of disabled persons are often ignored, and being a refugee makes it even more difficult to find protection under policies and laws.

Elderly People

The impact of protracted displacement on older men and women has received little attention in both operational responses and policy discussions to date. When displaced, older people have the same basic needs as the rest of the population, yet they face additional challenges and protection risks related to their age. 

Women

Conflict and displacement affect women and men differently. Women's work burdens often increase significantly as they take on new responsibilities to provide for their families. As refugee situations become protracted, these burdens become increasingly unsustainable and detrimental to women's health and well-being. Refugee women in these situations are resilient, but they are also vulnerable and as these situations become increasingly protracted women's protection becomes increasingly compromised.