With growing concern being voiced by the governments of industrialized countries about the problem of asylum-seekers on their territory, one could be forgiven for thinking that the greatest refugee impact is being felt in the world's more prosperous states. In reality, as UNHCR has argued, "the economic effects of hosting refugees are mostly felt in Africa". Further, "it is well known that in many emergency situations, the initial assistance provided to the refugees comes not from UNHCR or WFP, but from the local populations and authorities".

The impact of refugees on host communities has largely been assumed to be negative. There has also been a tendency for this debate to operate within the binary parameters of "positive impact" and "negative impact". By focusing on the humanitarian assets and infrastructure provided to host countries, with particular reference to the situation post-repatriation, this paper adds to a growing body of research "that seeks to understand the consequences of refugee and humanitarian assistance for host countries and for refugees".