The Overlooked Impact of Migration in Crisis Situations

Crises don’t affect everyone equally. In many communities across sub-Saharan Africa, migrants, people who have moved from another country, region, or even village, often feel the worst impact. They are sometimes invisible in decision-making, even if they live, worship, and work alongside others every day.

During the Gaborone discussions, church leaders reflected on this challenge:

• Migrants are often seen as temporary or outsiders, even after years of living in the community.
• In a crisis, help and decisions are often organised for “our people”, unintentionally excluding those who are not originally from the area.
• Migrants carry unique experiences and resources, but their contributions are often missed.

A Zimbabwean leader living in Botswana shared: "We worship here, we serve here, but when the church plans responses, they forget we’re part of this body too. We don’t even know what’s decided until it’s done."

The Church’s Role in Inclusion or Exclusion

The discussions revealed that churches have the power to either bridge gaps or build walls in times of crisis. Leaders admitted that even when preaching unity, they often failed to practise inclusion.

Key reflections included:

• Migrants bring knowledge, skills, and sometimes financial resources, but they are rarely asked for input.
• Cultural misunderstandings create distance during crisis planning.
• Excluding migrants weakens the church’s ability to respond fully and represent God’s kingdom.

One pastor said honestly: "We focus on the people we know. Not because we want to exclude, but because we forget others are here too."

Strength in Diversity

The Gaborone reflections challenge us to see migrants not as ‘extra mouths’ but as people with strength, experience, and wisdom that can make crisis response better.

Leadership questions raised included:

• How do we create space at the table for all voices?
• How can migrant stories and experiences help shape our response?
• What does it look like when everyone truly belongs?

Personal Reflection Section

Example to Consider:

"During a church discussion on food relief in Gaborone, migrants who had worshipped with the church for years were not consulted. A Zimbabwean leader said, ‘We could have organised cross-border support or connected with groups back home, but no one asked us. We just watched.’"

Reflection Instructions:

Think about a time in your church or community when some people, especially migrants or outsiders, were left out of decision-making or support during a crisis.

Write a short personal reflection (300–400 words) that explores:

• Who was left out? Why?
• How did this affect the crisis response and the community?What could have changed if those voices had been included?
• How will you approach inclusion differently in your leadership going forward?

Writing Guidelines:

• Use simple, clear language, no need for formal or academic words.
• Focus on your own experience, what you saw, felt, or wish had happened.
• Write as though telling your story to another grassroots leader facing the same challenge.
• Save this reflection, it will be important for your final Leadership Action Plan.

Closing Reminder:

Leadership is about seeing who is missing from the conversation and inviting them in. Migrants, outsiders, and ‘the least visible’ have a place at the table. In our next session, we’ll tackle another hidden barrier: gender dynamics in leadership during crises.