Habitat for Humanity Europe & Middle East’s Post

Are we ready to listen to the people we serve? I think that's probably the first thing we need to work on as humanitarians. We need to learn to really "listen", not only "hear". "Cabo Delgado united in stabilization, valuing the human factor and the rational use of resources for sustainable development", this is what we hear in this video's chanting. But are we really listening? Art has always been a powerful medium to express the collective hopes and struggles of a community. I recently had the privilege to participate in an event where the local choir in Cabo Delgado sang this poignant message about sustainable development. Cabo Delgado, with its wealth of resources, stands at a crossroads. These resources can be a tremendous blessing, yet they have also brought challenges, including exploitation and conflict. In recent years, over a million people have been displaced from their homes due to these conflicts. While we at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, are diligently working to bridge the gap between humanitarian assistance and sustainable development, agencies like UNDP and UNOPS, in collaboration with the government, are spearheading significant projects aimed at stabilization and reconstruction of Cabo Delgado. However, the most critical aspect of our work as humanitarian and development professionals is to listen to the people. Their voices and needs should always guide our efforts. Being in Mozambique and interacting directly with the communities in Portuguese has deeply enriched my understanding and connection to their aspirations. Although as humanitarian and development workers we might be "the experts", there is no ready-made answer. Communities need to be part of the solution, it's the only way that we can effectively seek to resolve some of the complex issues we are faced around the world. Solutions are build with the communities, not for them. I feel fortunate to be part of this journey, continuously learning from the resilience and strength of the people of Cabo Delgado. But the question remains, how can we ensure that we truly listen to and integrate the voices of the communities we serve into our work? #HumanitariansAtWork #SustainableDevelopment #SDGs #CommunityEngagement #ListenToThePeople

This new resource dives into Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for human settlements, providing a clear overview of the concept and practical guidance on integrating NBS into humanitarian settings and disaster-prone settlements. #NatureBasedSolutions #HumanitarianSettings

Quarterly Project Evaluation Meeting at Rehori Center: A Testament to Collaborative Success The recent quarterly meeting held at the Rehori Center was a crucial touchpoint for evaluating the progress of our ongoing projects. This gathering brought together diverse stakeholders to share achievements, challenges, and strategies to overcome obstacles, focusing on the roadmap for 2024 in protection, mitigation, prevention, and response. One of the highlights was the remarkable progress made in enhancing protection measures. Through collaborative efforts, we've seen a significant reduction in incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) and an increase in community awareness and engagement. These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our team and partners, whose relentless efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Challenges, however, remain. Limited resources and the complex dynamics of the refugee context in Kakuma and Kalobeyei continue to pose significant hurdles. Yet, our discussions underscored a collective resolve to innovate and adapt. We explored various strategies, including capacity-building workshops and leveraging technology for better data management and communication, to enhance our effectiveness. Looking ahead to 2024, our focus will be on bolstering protection, mitigation, prevention, and response efforts. Emphasizing the meaningful participation of local actors, we aim to create a more inclusive approach that empowers refugees to take an active role in their own protection. This strategy not only ensures sustainability but also fosters a sense of ownership and resilience within the community. A special mention goes to the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the Danish Refugee Council. Their generosity and best practices in partnership have been instrumental in strengthening local capacities. Their support has enabled us to implement innovative solutions and build a more robust framework for protection and response. In conclusion, the quarterly meeting at Rehori Center was not just an evaluation but a celebration of collaborative success and a reaffirmation of our commitment to improving protection for refugees. We draw inspiration from the resilience and participation of local actors, whose contributions are vital to our mission. Together, we continue to make strides towards a safer and more inclusive environment for all. #Everlyne#Oscar#Abbey#Theo#Mathew#Vivian#Maria#Hassan#Bill#Simon #DRC #ECHO #Eu #DANIDA #KKRIN #REHORI

Today I attended the Conference on Improving Linkages between Social Protection and the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus in the Arab Region, organized by the Danish Refugee Council and Arab Reform Initiative. The sessions covered critical questions on integrating support systems in crisis settings and creating pathways toward sustainable social protection. A big thanks to the organizers in particular Justine Cherrier Samane Salimi and fatma chehidi Yet, reflecting on the discussions today and based on my personal observations in multiple crisis settings I find myself questioning how much the sector has been able to actually make progress in this field in the past thirty years. The idea of linking relief, rehabilitation, and development (LRRD) has been a central theme since the 1990s, and while there’s been progress in refining policy frameworks and collaboration models, the major challenge of better integration remains largely unresolved. Many obstacles—such as funding silos, organizational mandates, and the complex dynamics of protracted crises—are deeply systemic, making them hard to overcome with incremental solutions alone. This raises the question of whether what we face in the nexus of humanitarian, development, and peace work is a problem rooted in the structure of the systems themselves. If we aim to move beyond immediate relief toward true resilience and sustainability, we may need a fundamental rethink of our approaches. At GIZ Jordan we will continue to explore these challenging questions as we evaluate and learn together with our partners from the practical project experiences in the context of the regional refugee crisis. Thanks again Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp for stimulating our joint thinking today. #SocialProtection #HumanitarianDevelopmentPeace #LRRD #ProtractedCrises #GIZ #SustainableDevelopment #CashForWork

1. Housing, land, and property (HLP) rights are essential for humanitarian programming, across the response cycle, from prevention to emergency to recovery. They are fundamental to rebuilding lives and communities. 2. We need to work with multiple stakeholders from the beginning of a response to address security of tenure issues, or at minimum avoid doing harm. This includes development actors like the World Bank, as well as affected communities, national authorities and other local actors. 3. In crisis response we need to address tenure security and land occupancy rights for all vulnerable and affected people including those living informally, the landless and those renting. These are three takeaways from the Land in Crises Session at the The World Bank Land Conference this week. Many thanks to all of those of you who attended as well as for the following people for insights and discussions: USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, Marcia Wong and Charles Setchell Howard University -Brad Grant InterAction - Juli King UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) and Housing, Land and Property Area of Responsibility (HLP AoR) - Ombretta Tempra Norwegian Refugee Council - @fernando medina-rosales IOM - UN Migration - Ibere Lopes @Universidad de Puerto Rico Ana Cristina Gomez Perez Habitat for Humanity International

## Advocating for Refugees at the Kenya Model UN I recently had the opportunity to participate in the 24th Session of the Kenya Model United Nations Refugee Competition. This event brought together passionate individuals from across the country to discuss pressing issues facing refugees and advocate for their rights. The global refugee crisis continues to escalate, with millions of people displaced by conflict, persecution, and the devastating impacts of climate change. Now, more than ever, there is a critical need to address the root causes of displacement, protect the rights of refugees, and provide sustainable support to host communities. By fostering dialogue, building partnerships, and empowering youth to become agents of change, we can work towards a more just and equitable future for all. https://lnkd.in/dxaX3iyM

Excited to announce that my first peer-reviewed publication "The politicization of development: Oxfam and the idea of a rights-based humanitarian action in the Salvadoran refugee camps in Honduras during the 1980s" is now available (and open access!) in the Yearbook for the History of Global Development. https://lnkd.in/eDfR7Zkm 🔉 In it, I ask, - To what extent can development ideology become a vehicle for radical solidarity? - What role did the intellectual formations of individuals, along with religious charity networks, play in fostering a politicisation of development for Oxfam in 1980s Central America? - And finally, what practical security imperatives drove Oxfam to articulate a rights-based solidarity with Salvadoran refugees fleeing civil war?  

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we honor the humanitarian workers driving change in refugee camps worldwide. In 2023, 36.4 million refugees were forcibly displaced, with 6.6M in 500 camps globally. Learn how decentralized solar solutions are playing a big role in accelerating recovery, building resilience, and bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and long-term development—thanks to the efforts of those on the ground. Learn more 💡 bit.ly/SEHBulletin9

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we honor the humanitarian workers driving change in refugee camps worldwide. In 2023, 36.4 million refugees were forcibly displaced, with 6.6M in 500 camps globally. Learn how decentralized solar solutions are playing a big role in accelerating recovery, building resilience, and bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and long-term development—thanks to the efforts of those on the ground. Learn more 💡 bit.ly/SEHBulletin9

Very worthwhile project, creating a stage for refugee entrepreneurs, refugee-led organisations and community-based organisations in host communities to discuss with UN and regional actors how to do peace building better and more sustainable. It's an important piece in the 'triple nexus' puzzle of getting development, humanitarian and peace building actors to work together. https://lnkd.in/e-h4GwF5