The Role of Family in Overcoming the Challenges of Forced Migration

Yusef, a 19-year-old from a conflict zone, was the eldest son in his family. When his father was imprisoned and later disappeared, Yusef took on the responsibility of caring for his mother and younger siblings. However, as the political violence escalated, Yusef became the next target, forcing him to flee and leave his family behind. Eventually, his younger siblings were forced out of the country, leaving Yusef’s mother and youngest brother behind. Despite their separation, Yusef and his family continued to nurture their relationships, sustaining them through shared memories and sacrifices.

Yusef’s story highlights the central role of family in refugee resilience—how relationships can shape the refugee experience, both positively and negatively. While forced migration can sever family connections and cause deep emotional scars, these same relationships often provide a crucial source of strength and survival.

Family Connections

Family connection and belonging are deeply valued by many refugee clients. Families serve as a source of identity, a place of belonging, and a key socialization structure, through which practices, beliefs, and community influences are transmitted. Many clients describe strong ties with parents, siblings, and extended family members, marked by mutual care, thoughtfulness, and a sense of responsibility to support one another. Despite migration, these clients continue to nurture these relationships, even when separated by vast geographical distances.

However, migration often involves involuntary separation from family. Many refugees left their homes unprepared, thinking they would return soon, while others were sent away for their own safety. These separations can be traumatic, leaving families unable to say proper goodbyes or prepare for long-term distance. While technology can help maintain contact, the physical separation still limits emotional closeness.

Family Separation and Loss

One of the most painful experiences described by refugee clients is the involuntary separation from their families of origin. Many fled their homes unprepared, believing they were leaving temporarily, while others were sent away by their families to protect them from danger. In many cases, there was no opportunity for a proper goodbye or preparation for long-term separation. While geographical distance does not always mean a complete loss of connection, it can affect the level of intimacy, limiting one’s ability to participate in family events, share new memories, or engage in face-to-face interactions. At times, political circumstances and threat in the country of origin, limit the ability of migrants to stay connected with the family left behind.

Some clients have lost close family members since leaving their countries. Gamila shared that her family lost two relatives before they were able to join her in Canada. Although she had been somewhat prepared for the loss of her grandmother, her father’s death caught her by surprise, and she never had a chance to say goodbye. Gamila described the loss of her father as her greatest loss. Other clients may experience a difficulty maintaining contact with loved ones still in their home countries, particularly when those family members remain in precarious situations, facing punishment for the actions of their relatives who have fled. In some cases, families are monitored by government authorities, making communication dangerous. To protect their loved ones, some clients have had to limit or cut off contact, while others, like Hakeem, resorted to creative strategies to preserve anonymity when their phone calls were under surveillance. For example, he would avoid using names during conversations, call through a friend’s phone, or share very little information.

Family’s Ongoing Role in Resilience

Even when not physically present, family members remain a significant protective resource, providing a sense of common purpose and a link between the past, present, and future. Many refugees continue to foster these connections through memories, maintaining contact, and providing financial or sponsorship support, despite the challenges of doing so from afar. Sending money to family members still living in dangerous conditions can be fraught with risk, but migrant survivors often find creative ways to send financial aid. For example, Yusef described that he deposits funds to a bank in a neighbouring country, which are then withdrawn and taken to his mother by merchants going in and out of the country. Another client, Nalah, shared about sending money under a different name, while the government in her country profited from her efforts to help her loved ones by deducting a portion of the money before it was delivered to her family.

For many, the successful settlement process is strongly influenced by ongoing familial connections. According to participants in my dissertation study, a significant factor contributing to mental health challenges in Canada was the absence of close family or friends to confide in. Many clients expressed longing for their loved ones, missing the ability to share experiences or simply be together. This isolation was seen as a major obstacle in their settlement and trauma recovery, as they struggled to process their experiences without the emotional support of family or close friends.

At the same time, the desire to support and help their loved ones left behind was a major source of motivation and resilience for many participants. Their efforts to aid family members still facing danger and oppression served as a strong driving force in their settlement efforts. Gebra shared that she and her sister’s efficient integration in Canada was fueled by their commitment to helping their family members.

The enduring connection to family, even when physically distant, plays a pivotal role in refugee resilience. While the challenges of separation can exacerbate feelings of isolation, the desire to help loved ones and maintain these connections often becomes a powerful motivating force. The act of supporting family members, whether emotionally, financially, or through sponsorship, provides a sense of continuity and purpose that can be a critical component of both healing and successful settlement in a new country.

Conclusion

Family connections are essential to refugee resilience. While migration can disrupt family structures, the enduring bonds formed within families often serve as a foundation for survival and recovery. The desire to support loved ones, whether emotionally, financially, or through other means, becomes a powerful motivator for refugees in their settlement process and healing journey. Despite the challenges of separation, family remains a source of strength, guiding many refugees as they rebuild their lives in new countries.

I would love to hear your thoughts on how family connections have played a role in the resilience of refugees. If you have personal experiences or insights to share, feel free to leave a comment below!