1-4 July 2025, Paris, France
Arcaio, M., Mendola, D., Parroco, A.M. (2025) “Measuring the vulnerability of refugees: latent profiles in developed countries”. Paper presented at IMISCOE Conference, Aubervilliers–Paris, 1-4 July 2025
The topic of refugees’ vulnerability is relevant in developed countries as well. It is agreed that vulnerability is not unidimensional, and that its effects are amplified in the face of external threats, but individual capabilities that make individuals self-reliant can help mitigate its consequences. Although some United Nations refugee agencies already employ tools to assess vulnerability in refugee camps, these approaches are highly context-specific, making them difficult to apply in more developed settings.
In this work, we use the first Italian quantitative survey of refugees and asylum seekers (ITRAS 2024), with about 1300 face-to-face interviews. This survey is part of the AVRAI (Assessing the Vulnerability of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Italy) research project and it gathers information on the several dimensions of vulnerability, namely: economic, housing, health and food insecurity, educational, legal, social, etc.
We propose an assessment tool based on indicators specific for the vulnerability of refugees in high income countries using the latent profile analysis techniques, which would allow to group refugees and asylum seekers according to their profile of vulnerability. We identified potential sources of increased vulnerability and possible protective factors.
A comparative analysis was also performed with refugees living in Germany.
Being able to quickly use these assessment tools would allow to provide customized assistance to those more in need of protection or more at risk of increased vulnerability.
Link: https://www.imiscoe.org/events/imiscoe-events/2117-22nd-imiscoe-annual-conference
