Migration
Voluntary migration- This is when
people move of their own free will-
they are usually trying to find a better
standard of living, for example many
people are moving from Eastern
European countries like Poland to
Western European countries like the
UK for jobs and higher wages. They
are called economic migrants.
Forced migration- This is when
people have no choice, they either
move or face extreme hardship or
even death. This often happens when
there is a natural disaster or a war.
These migrants are called refugees.
For example at the end of 2005
200,000 people had to flee Sudan to
Chad after there had been a two year
civil war. Other examples of Forced
migration are the Palestinians into The
West Bank after the creation of Israel.
The movement of people from
Montserrat in 1997 after a volcanic
eruption.
Permanent/Temporary Migration-
when people move either on a
permanent or temporary basis. An
example of permanent migration
would be Irish migrants moving to the
USA in the 19th century due to famine.
An example of temporary migration
would be Turkish construction workers
going to Germany on short-term work
Case Study of Forced Migration- Darfur (Sudan) to Chad 2005 onwards
By early 2006 there had been three years of civil war in Sudan’s western region of Darfur. The
UN said that the events in Darfur would have a serious impact on not just Sudan and the
refugees, but on the neighbouring country of Chad (where refugees fled).
Details of the crisis…
• 180,000 Darfuri’s killed
• 200,000 fled to Chad and live in refugee camps.
• Up to 1.8 million live in refugee camps in Darfur.
• Hundreds of villages been burnt out, people killed and assaulted in their homes.
Why did 200,000 people flee Darfur?
There has been tension in Darfur for many years. The Darfuri’s say that Sudan’s government
discriminate against them because they are not Muslims and do not allow them equal land and
grazing rights. The Darfuri’s also have rebel groups (including the SLA ) who were originally
formed to protect the black African farmers against the government soldiers and the Arab
militia’s who support the government. In 2003 rebels started attacking government targets as
a rebellion against discrimination. The Government and militia fought back- with air raids on
Darfuri villages. The Arab militia then followed- riding into Darfuri villages on horses and
camels slaughtering men, raping women and stealing anything they can find, and burning what
they don’t want.
Refugees in Chad
The 200,000 people who fled from Darfur into Chad sought safety. They arrived in a remote
desert region where water is in very short supply. They made rough shelters just over the
border – but these were still near enough for the Arab militia to strike. In 2004 the UN
intervened and moved the refugees a safe distance over the border. However many still live in
Darfur close to the border and are vulnerable to attack. Conditions in refugee camps are very
poor, and 1 million children are malnourished, many facing starvation. The government have
not been particularly co-operative with Western Aid Agencies who are trying to improve the
Conditions experienced by those
living in the refugee camps