Nepalese Foreign Migration in Relation with the Consequences of Armed Conflict

Abstract

The global migration of people is a dynamic process. Migration from developing countries to developed countries is much higher. It is mainly because of the war, conflict, natural disasters, unfavorable environmental casualties and poor economy of the developing countries. Nepal is one of the highest migrant-sending countries of more than 6 million Nepalese migrants. Most of the previous studies focus on the causes and impacts of the Nepalese migration and less concerning or ignoring its relation with the casualties of the ten years armed conflict (1996-2006). This study tries to fulfill the gap by analyzing the contemporary Nepalese migration scenario and the armed conflict-related issues together. This research used both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Quantitative method used to find the general perceptions of 40 Nepalese migrants through an online survey. Qualitative method used to find individual opinions by conducting semi-structured interviews and a workshop among 52 respondents. The four key findings emerge. First, Nepalese migration is the result of the poor economy, fragile political instability and socio-cultural practices of Nepal. Second, Nepalese migration is the mixed result of the compulsion and opportunities-based volunteer decision of Nepalese people. Foreign migration is a compulsion for many Nepalese people because of the immediate solution to existing unemployment and poverty. In contrast, opportunities-based volunteer migration of Nepalese people is the result of weak economic and political situation of the country. Third, the deterioration of the economy and destruction of socio-political structures of the country due to the armed conflict contributes to increasing the number of Nepalese migrants. Fourth, the incomplete peace process, post-conflict dilemmas and delays in the development progress of the country lead the slagging down of the national economy. This situation further contributes to increasing the number of migrants. In post-conflict time, Nepalese politics and the economy have undergone dilemmas that left behind the people's expectations of justice, welfare and equality. The priorities of the national budget shifted for post-conflict management, which could not invest in development projects, social welfare and employment generation activities. As a result, the critical post conflict situation of the country lead to the fragile uncertainty of better living condition of Nepalese people. The essential features of functional democracy and good governance have not been practically implemented in the country, which adds fuel to increase unemployment, poverty and inequality. Therefore, people are imprudently migrating in foreign countries that recover their economic needs to support family, community and state through sending remittance. However, there is no augury of ending the migration cycle, and thus many Nepalese migrants repeatedly migrated to foreign countries. The advocacy of sustainable peace, development and prosperity of the country are yet in volatile condition.