Authors: Prof Dr. Mirjam van Reisen, Dr. Mia Stokmans, Selam Kidane, Rick Schoenmaeckers (edited by Rick Schoenmaeckers)
Year: March 2018
Pages: 6
Overview
This policy brief focuses the dynamics of migratory trajectories. The research looks at two issues. Firstly, the modus operandi of human traffickers along the route. Secondly, the unaccompanied minors and youth in the refugee camps and their strategies to be resilient and maintain contact with relatives abroad.
The conclusions are that ICTs are used as a method by human traffickers and criminals for extortion, but on the other hand play an important role for refugees, since it is the only way to stay in contact with their beloved ones and because it is a means to send or receive long-distance money-transfers. The methods how to use mobile phones in an environment where electricity and connectivity is scarce show creativity and resilience.