In Search for a Place to Survive

Abstract

This thesis presents a descriptive analysis of internally displaced people’s search for a place to survive. The author makes use of a narrative framework in which she delineates six phases of displacement to catch the experiences, perceptions and responses to human insecurities of this particular population across times and places. Forced displacement is caused by a context of enduring exposure to violence and treats which lead to such extent of fear that leaving the violent scene is perceived to be the only option left to survive. From this moment onwards the search for a place to survive begins and is called the first phase of displacement. Starting from this phase internally displaced people encounter all sorts of ‘new’ human insecurities in their host communities where they accordingly adapt and respond to. Some manage to build-up a live there and reside and others continue struggling. Nevertheless, many people who have experienced forced displacement long for the place they once called home and choose to return to their community of expulsion. The sixth phase of displacement is when internally displaced people stop with identifying as ‘desplazados.’ Still, whether returned or resettled where (which place) and when internal displacement ends, remains a contested question.