No Safe Haven: How the Chasm between the Laws Governing Refugees and Mass Gatherings Has Contributed to Health Crises

Abstract The conditions in refugee camps are often strikingly similar to those considered by existent bodies of law governing mass gatherings. Sanitation is a key concern in both cases, as is access to adequate shelter and medical care. However, the laws that govern refugees and mass gatherings are promulgated by different organizations, and the lack of overlap can exacerbate already poor conditions for refugees. This paper examines the various health issues that arise in refugee camps in terms of mass gatherings, analyzes the laws that govern both, and concludes with recommendations on how to address any ineffectiveness in the current models.