ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the psychological and psychoanalytic desires and defences evoked by three people who work with, help or host refugees. The author, Rachel Ellison, takes a beneath the surface approach to understanding the perspectives of a senior leader working in international non-governmental development aid, specifically in Syria and Iraq. This leader shares her insights, experiences and reflections on what it takes to lead effectively in a refugee context. She explores psychological desires and defences caused by humanitarian suffering, conflict or civil war. This chapter analyses the migration of leaders, their attraction to engaging with refugee communities, themes of rescue, attachment, severed attachment and trauma. Also included are ideas around transgenerational transmitted trauma, refusing emotion, eldership, legacy, feelings of and fear of redundancy in life.
We also hear from a young volunteer worker who worked in refugee camps in France (including at ‘The Jungle’ in Calais) and in Thessaloniki, Greece. The focus is on inexperienced leaders who risk damaging themselves and others through lack of training. We then hear what it is like for a host community to experience an influx of refugees. Themes include pressure on housing, water and electricity supplies alongside the desire to welcome the needy.
