Forced Migrants and Host Societies in Egypt and Sudan

The Horn of East Africa is one of the driest regions on the continent, where competition for water and land can be extremely violent. As a result, conflict and hunger have followed each other for centuries, leading to forced migrations and thousands of refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and other countries in the region. As gateways to the west, Egypt and Sudan have absorbed thousands of refugees from these countries, in communities ranging from makeshift refugee camps to crowded urban neighborhoods. In this groundbreaking study, historian Fabienne Le Houérou examines the complex interactions between these refugees and their hosts, as well as the struggles that shape their daily lives. From Sudanese families in Cairo tenements to Ethiopian farmers fleeing war and famine, Le Houérou draws on years of field research to offer fresh insights into some of world’s most vulnerable populations.