Helping Familiar Strangers: Refugee Diaspora Organizations and Humanitarianism

Refugee diaspora organizations (RDOs) are actively involved in helping people in situations of forced displacement, with former refugees having valuable knowledge, skills, and networks to draw on. Louise Olliff's book documents findings from ethnographic research and interviews with resettled and displaced persons, RDO representatives, and humanitarian professionals in Australia, Switzerland, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Louise Olliff's book, Helping Familiar Strangers, delves into the intricate dynamics of humanitarian groups known as refugee diaspora organizations (RDOs). By conducting ethnographic research and interviews with resettled and displaced individuals, RDO representatives, and humanitarian professionals in Australia, Switzerland, Thailand, and Indonesia, Olliff sheds light on the motivations, practices, and relationships between these activists and the familiar strangers they strive to assist. Through her documentation of findings, Olliff reveals that former refugees are actively involved in helping people in situations of forced displacement, leveraging their valuable knowledge, skills, and networks gained from their own experiences of displacement.

RDOs and similar groups play a crucial role in the broader landscape of humanitarian care, offering support and assistance to those who have been forced to flee their homes. These organizations are driven by a range of motivations, including a deep sense of empathy, a commitment to social justice, and a desire to address the root causes of displacement. They work tirelessly to provide assistance to refugees and displaced persons, including access to essential services such as food, shelter, medical care, and education.

One of the key insights from Helping Familiar Strangers is the importance of recognizing and leveraging the expertise and experiences of individuals with lived experience of forced displacement. These individuals possess a unique understanding of the challenges and complexities faced by those in crisis, and their insights can be invaluable in shaping the response and recovery efforts. RDOs and other humanitarian groups often seek to involve former refugees in their work, recognizing the value of their firsthand knowledge and the potential for positive impact they can have.

Furthermore, RDOs and similar groups operate within complex social and political contexts, navigating the challenges of working in diverse cultural and geographical settings. They must balance the need for efficiency and effectiveness with the importance of respecting local customs, traditions, and power dynamics. This requires a deep understanding of the local context and a commitment to building partnerships and collaborations with local organizations, communities, and governments.

In conclusion, Louise Olliff's book, Helping Familiar Strangers, provides valuable insights into the world of humanitarian groups and their role in helping those in situations of forced displacement. Through her ethnographic research and interviews, Olliff highlights the complexities and motivations of RDOs and the valuable contributions of individuals with lived experience of forced displacement. RDOs and similar groups play a crucial role in the global response to humanitarian crises, offering support, assistance, and hope to those who have been forced to flee their homes. By recognizing and leveraging the expertise and experiences of these individuals, humanitarian groups can work more effectively to address the root causes of displacement and build more resilient and sustainable communities.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253063564