Refugees' Struggle: Redefining Survival in Uncertain Times

Living in a place where danger is a daily companion. This is the reality for Rohingya and Syrian refugees in India and Turkey. These individuals are not just dealing with the trauma of leaving their homes; they are also navigating a complex web of challenges that threaten their very existence. Survival for these refugees is not just about finding food and shelter. It's about creating a sense of security in an insecure world. This is where the concept of social reproduction comes into play. Social reproduction involves all the activities that keep life going, from day to day and from one generation to the next. For refugees, these activities take on a new urgency. They are not just about maintaining life; they are about making life secure in the face of constant threats. This is a critical point that often goes unnoticed. When people are forced to leave their homes, their daily routines become a matter of life and death. The role of the state in all of this is complex. On one hand, the state can provide support through welfare programs. On the other hand, it can also create insecurity through policies and actions that hinder social reproduction. This is where the concept of "(in)securitization" comes in. It refers to how state and non-state actors can both help and hinder the ability of refugees to sustain their lives. Think about it this way: Imagine trying to build a house in a storm. The storm represents the constant threats and uncertainties that refugees face. The materials and tools you use to build the house represent the support and resources provided by the state and other actors. Sometimes, the storm makes it hard to build the house, and sometimes, the tools you have are not enough. This is the reality for many refugees. But it's not just about the state. Non-state actors, like international organizations and local communities, also play a crucial role. They can provide support, but they can also create new challenges. This is a complex web of interactions that refugees must navigate every day. So, what does this all mean? It means that survival for refugees is not just about coping with insecurity. It's about finding ways to care for themselves and their families in the face of constant threats. It's about redefining what it means to live in a world that is often hostile and unpredictable. This is a critical point that often goes unnoticed. When we talk about refugees, we often focus on the big picture: the wars, the conflicts, the political issues. But we rarely talk about the everyday struggles of survival. This is where the real story lies. It's in the small, everyday acts of resistance and resilience that refugees perform. It's in the way they find food, shelter, and safety. It's in the way they care for their families and communities. It's in the way they find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems meaningless and purposeless. This is the story of survival, and it's a story that deserves to be told.