Mawahib Hassan, NUIEC Scholar Lecture Series

Country of Origin: Sudan
Formerly hosted by Columbia Global Center, Amman.

“The Importance of Social Networks in the Survival and Adaptation of Displaced Sudanese in Turkey”

This lecture presents findings from an ongoing research project examining the importance of social and economic capital in the lives of displaced Sudanese in Turkey. It focuses on one of the study’s key findings: the central role of social networks in supporting displaced Sudanese throughout the processes of survival, adaptation, and integration into Turkish society.

The findings show that social networks serve as a vital source of information and practical assistance by helping displaced individuals identify safe locations, access humanitarian aid, navigate routes to Turkey, secure temporary accommodation, and meet their basic needs during the early stages of displacement. As displacement becomes more prolonged, these networks continue to play an important role by facilitating access to employment opportunities, supporting Turkish language learning, and connecting displaced Sudanese with essential services and institutions. The lecture concludes by discussing the broader implications of these findings for understanding the role of social networks in forced displacement and for informing policies and practices that support refugee integration.

Willing to share personal story.