Determinants of vulnerability among refugees and other population sub-groups in South Africa- A case of refugees in Johannesburg, South Africa

Akanni I. Akinyemi, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of the Witwatersrand
Loren Landau, University of the Witwatersrand
Jean Misago, University of the Witwatersrand

Refugees in African countries are at higher risk of being victims of crimes and are highly vulnerable to many other social aggression. We examine some important determinant factors that may explain the degree of vulnerabilities among refugees. Four vulnerability concepts were considered; environmental, socio-political, socio-economic and socio-cultural vulnerabilities. Data for the analysis was collected from 2028 respondents from Alexandra and Inner-city. About 59 percent of respondents were IDP from South Africa, 25% are Zimbabwe refugees and 15% are refugees from other countries. Chi-square test and logistic regression model were performed to examine determinants of vulnerabilities. Results showed that about 10% were considered as environmental vulnerable, 28% as socio-political, 71% as socio-economic, 15% as socio cultural vulnerable. Country of origin, was significant in predicting all forms of vulnerability except for socio-cultural. Also, education was significant determinant of any forms of vulnerability. The study concluded that understanding of the determinant of vulnerability will help in protecting refugees.