Against the Grain

Exploiting Refugees

As the plight of the Palestinians, many of them refugees in their native lands, dominates world headlines, a look at the ways that international policy, though entities like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has not been driven by altruistic motives. Instead, as historian Laura Robson argues, much of what takes place under the guise of humanitarian assistance has served to keep a lid on displaced populations, while profiting from their captive labor.

Resources:

Laura Robson, Human Capital: A History of Putting Refugees to Work Verso, 2023

Photo credit: Mrbrfast