Disentangling anti-refugee sentiment: An empirical investigation of the Rohingya crisis

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of refugee influx on host communities’ sentiment, focusing on the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. Using data from an incentivized lab-in-the-field experiment and an original survey, we disentangle anti-refugee sentiment into hate, fear, and general survey-based measures. Our findings reveal that mere proximity to a refugee camp intensifies hate without affecting fear or survey-based measures, while experiencing direct damages exacerbates all three dimensions. Conversely, contact with refugees improves survey-based attitudes by enhancing perceptions of communication and interaction. These findings highlight the differential effects of exposure, damage, and contact on anti-refugee sentiment, offering insights for targeted policy interventions.