Connecting the Dots amidst Turbulence – Analysing the Disruptions in People’s Translocal Lives in Times of War Translocal Connections in Times of War

Abstract

War disrupts lives, economies and social relations, forcing displacement and reshaping mobility. In this commentary, we argue for the application of the concept of translocality to examine how violent conflict transforms mobility and social ties across different locations. Moving beyond the idea that migration is simply a movement away from violence, we demonstrate how translocal connections can sustain livelihoods, family life and a sense of normality amid upheaval, and how (im)mobility, place and social relations evolve amid violence and displacement. The translocal lens is thus a useful tool for bridging the divide between (forced) migration and peace and conflict studies.