Secondary cities and forced migration: accommodating refugees and asylum seeker in Indonesia

Forced migration trend around the world is increasing. UNHCR estimated that more than 65 million people are forcibly displaced in 2015, representing about 26% of all international migrants. In relation to forced migration, secondary cities are also impacted, with many of such cities attract forcibly displaced migrants who view them as more accessible and 'friendly' compared to primary cities. Furthermore, many secondary cities in poor, climate- and conflict-affected regions and countries support the needs of migrants and refugees as a first point of entry, shelter, asylum and informal employment (Roberts, 2014). In Indonesia, UNHCR recorded almost 14,000 person-of-concerns (refugees and asylum seekers) in 2015. They are present in about 13 cities, with at least 4 cities are identified as secondary cities: Medan, Makassar, Surabaya, Pekanbaru. Although small, the number of forced migrants in Indonesia is expected to increase slowly along with the increasing trend of forced migration around the world. The study explores the capacity of secondary cities in Indonesia in accommodating the influx of refugees and asylum seeker, with Makassar as a case study. Using a simplified City Resilience Framework developed by Arup International Development (2015) as a framework, the study is looking at how Makassar strives for city resiliency while providing 1) adequate shelter, health care and protection; 2) basic service provision; 3) economic development and employment; and 4) social and political inclusion and community cohesion for its resident refugees and asylum seeker. The study focuses on the analysis of the first two elements: shelter, health, protection and basic services provision. By understanding the system and how it affects displaced people, it is expected that the focus for future improvement that contributes to the city resilience can be identified.