Refugee Camps

Abstract: The forced displacement of human beings around the globe as a result of natural and humane disasters has placed great social, political and economical pressure on the international system like never before. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)(2012), there are approximately 35.8 million people of concern to UNHCR, including refugees, internally displaced people, people affected by major natural disasters, stateless or asylum seekers, and people displaced in urban areas. Almost half of this forcibly displaced population is children (UNHCR, 2014). Children, in particular, who are exposed to these catastrophic situations, experience adverse consequences on their physiological, behavioural and psychosocial stratum (Betancourt et al., 2012). In addition, these populations encounter challenges at community levels, including the breakdown of communities, increased risk of violence, increased risk of tension within the host communities and increased risk of familial separation (Machel, 1996). Thus, considering the magnitude of forcibly displaced children in refugee and IDPs camps, as well as, the complexity of their challenges, this paper will examine the pragmatic use of sport as a strategy for healing traumatized refugee and displaced children in catastrophic situations like war and natural disaster. It will review the theoretical underpinnings and practical methods that explain the traumatic experiences of th