The erosion of asylum rights globally is a growing concern, with developed nations not taking responsibility for hosting refugees, resulting in a disproportionate burden on developing countries.[1] This study uses primary and secondary data sources, including interviews with Rohingya refugees living in Kathmandu, to explore the livelihood experiences of Rohingya refugees living in two refugee camps in Nepal. Despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol, Nepal continues to provide humanitarian assistance to a large number of refugees and asylum-seekers, including Rohingya refugees, however, their lives have become increasingly difficult due to a reduction in financial assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and irregular support from other sources. This has resulted in difficulty finding decent livelihoods and increased risk of exploitation and lack of access to healthcare and education. The study also notes that Rohingya refugees in Nepal have positive perceptions of Nepalis, authorities, and host communities, but this may change in the future due to increased surveillance and a lack of support for resettlement.

Keywords: Rohingya, refugees, livelihood, risk, resettlement

Faten Ghosn, Tiffany S. Chu, Miranda Simon, Alex Braithwaite, Michael Frith & Joanna Jandali, ‘The Journey Home: Violence, Anchoring, and Refugee Decisions to Return’, American Political Science Review (2021), 115, No.3: 982–998. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055421000344

[1] Faten Ghosn, Tiffany S. Chu, Miranda Simon, Alex Braithwaite, Michael Frith & Joanna Jandali, ‘The Journey Home: Violence, Anchoring, and Refugee Decisions to Return’, American Political Science Review (2021), 115, No.3: 982–998. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055421000344