It begins with life experience before becoming a refugee

PRE-ESCAPE

Characterized by FEAR, ANXIETY, and possibly HOPE

• anxiety about conditions in homeland 
• experience or fear of persecution
• pressures of making escape decision
• anticipated sadness over losses 
• pressures of making escape plans
• fear of detection
• fear of being turned in
• fear of bad luck

ESCAPE

Characterized by TERROR

• panic, shock, extreme fear (of being victimized, being caught in the crossfire, and detection)
• trauma of having to make snap decisions that could mean the difference between life and death
• danger
• hunger
• fatigue

REFUGEE CAMP EXPERIENCE

Characterized by HOPE mingled with DISAPPOINTMENT

• adjustment to new (temporary) living conditions 
• struggle to satisfy survival needs
• confusion
• boredom, shock, depression 
• physical exhaustion from escape
• fear about unknown, uncertain future
• culture shock in new country
• overwhelming grief
• survivor’s guilt
• self doubt
• anger at situation 
• helplessness/hopelessness
• lack of problem-solving capacity in new environment
•  fear of losing identity in refugee camp
• adjustment to powerlessness in refugee camp

VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION

Characterized by FEAR of REPRISAL

• anticipation of reunion with surviving family, friends
• fear of confirmation of death of family or friends
• anxiety over the status of their possessions, their land, etc. upon returning home
• concern over re-integration
• fear about government’s real intentions

LOCAL INTEGRATION or THIRD-COUNTRY RESETTLEMENT

• facing fact of never going home
• loss of fa mily and friends
• loss of familiar culture
• anxiety over discrimination or possible discrimination in host country
• concern over cultural adaptation
• concern for economic survival, daily survival issues
• language barriers