Finance in Displacement
High Level Overview
The Finance in Displacement (FIND) research is built on 566 in-depth interviews with refugees and migrants across Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia. Conducted through The Fletcher School at Tufts University and international partners, the study documents how displaced people earn, save, borrow, and adapt their livelihoods in conditions of uncertainty.
Anchor Insight: Financial services alone don’t improve outcomes—livelihoods, rights, and documentation are the foundation.
High Level Findings
Understanding the Financial Realities of Refugees and Migrants
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Finding #1: Documentation unlocks livelihoods and financial inclusion.
Refugees need ID cards, work permits, and licenses to access income and financial services. Without them, savings, credit, and insurance are irrelevant.
Finding #2: Financial needs evolve with livelihoods.
As refugees progress from handouts to “survivelihoods” to more stable work, their demand for financial tools (remittances, savings, credit, insurance) grows.
Finding #3: Mainstream services > niche products.
Refugees prefer adapted versions of the financial services used by host populations, not special “refugee-only” tools.
Finding #4: Social networks matter.
Informal borrowing, shop credit, and remittances fill gaps left by inaccessible formal services.
Finding #5: Policy and norms shape outcomes.
Even where laws allow access, discriminatory practices and corruption can block refugees from building secure livelihoods.
Financial Biographies
Narratives that trace how refugees and migrants earn, spend, save, and adapt their livelihoods in displacement.
Featured Biography
Annie Bright
A story of resilience and partnership in Ethiopia's refugee camps.
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Policy Recommendations
The Finance in Displacement (FIND) research highlights clear steps for governments, financial institutions, NGOs, and the academic community. Building inclusive financial systems requires action across all sectors:
Governments
Ease work restrictions and streamline documentation so refugees can access the permits and IDs that unlock livelihoods and financial inclusion.
Financial Institutions
Open mainstream services to refugees by adapting “Know Your Customer” (KYC) requirements, removing unnecessary barriers, and building products that meet evolving livelihood needs.
NGOs & Donors
Support refugee-led organizations, expand mentoring and training opportunities, and invest in long-term solutions that strengthen resilience rather than short-term fixes.
Learn More
Want to dive deeper into the Finance in Displacement research? Explore these resources:
- Reckoning with Reality: FIND High-Level Findings → [Download the Report Here]
- Student Essays & Legal Commentaries → [Browse Contributions]
- Financial Biographies Archive → [Explore Stories]
Coming soon:
- Short video explainers on key findings
- Podcast conversations with researchers and practitioners
- Interactive graphics tracing financial journeys
Be the first to know when new biographies, essays, and findings are published.