The Challenges Faced by Ethiopian Migrant Returnees From Europe in the Reintegration Process and Coping Mechanisms to Those Challenges
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Date
2025-05-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Migration has become a significant phenomenon in the contemporary world, with millions of
individuals migrating to seek better economic opportunities and flee violent conflicts in their
home countries. However, not all migrants achieve success in their journeys for various reasons,
and some eventually decide to return voluntarily to their country of origin. This study aims to
investigate the challenges faced by Ethiopian migrant returnees from Europe during the
reintegration process. Purposive sampling was used to select eight returnees from Europe who
had lived in the host country for 3 years or more, along with three key informants from two
organizations (one governmental and one non-governmental) that operate in the area of
reintegrating returnees from Europe. A qualitative approach was chosen as the research method
for this study, and data were collected using in-depth interviews through a semi-structured
interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The results indicate that
migrant returnees from Europe encounter three main challenges: economic, social, and
psychological challenges throughout the reintegration process, and highlight some coping
mechanisms. This study provides insights into the various dimensions of challenges and
emphasizes that significant efforts are required to address those challenges at the individual,
structural, and societal levels.
Keywords: returnees, Europe, reintegration, challenges, coping mechanisms
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Keywords
returnees, Europe, reintegration, challenges, coping mechanisms