Läkarmissionen / LM International’s Post

The Worsening Refugee Crisis ... A recent article by the UNHCR noted a huge rise in the number of those that have been forcibly displaced from their homes. “Compared to a decade ago, the total number of refugees globally has tripled”. This is due to a rise or worsening in new and ongoing conflicts, as well as other factors such as the climate crisis and natural disasters 🌍 Once a person has left their home, they are likely to face further serious dangers along their migration route, such as: human trafficking, sexual assault and robbery. Journeys are treacherous and the physical risks of crossing borders by land and sea can be very serious. 📈 https://lnkd.in/eJJBiNhY Whilst humanitarians and volunteers on the ground are providing vital aid where possible, the rise in the number of displaced communities means there is still a long way to go. There are many things we can do to support vulnerable communities:  ➡️ Donate - to organisations so they can continue to provide vital aid  ➡️ Volunteer - with responsible charities and use your skills for good  ➡️ Educate yourself - on global conflicts and the refugee crisis  ➡️ Educate others - by spreading the word and inspire them to get involved #RefugeeCrisis #MakeaDifference

The rainy season has begun in #Chad. While it's a blessing for some, it's a logistical nightmare for my colleagues in the field, supporting the #refugee response. 🌧️ Currently on a mission to eastern Chad, we find ourselves blocked in the office today, as heavy rains restrict our movements. Just beyond this wadi (river) are several refugee camps hosting newly arrived refugees from #Sudan, along with others who have lived in Chad for 20 years. The wadi was dry yesterday, but last night's heavy rains have made it impossible to cross today. 🚫 Since April 2023, over 617,000 Sudanese have sought refuge in Chad, with 132,000 arriving since the beginning of this year alone. As the conflict in Sudan continues with no end in sight, partners anticipate this number could reach 250,000 in the coming months. #UNHCR and its partners are working tirelessly to support the Government’s efforts and coordinate the emergency response. In record time, we have built ten extensions and five new refugee settlements, equipped with basic services and infrastructure, including family shelters, mobile clinics, water points, sanitation, and education facilities, now home to 337,000 refugees. 🚰🏫 Yet, the needs remain immense, with #education being among the top priorities for refugees. More support is needed than ever to give all children in Chad a chance at education. 📚 #EducationForAll #WithRefugees UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Fidélia Bohissou Aristophane Ngargoune Yves Ntole Zihindula Alpha Seydi BA

#Heart_Breaking_News In the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, #Bangladesh, there are strict government-imposed restrictions preventing #Rohingya residents from leaving the camp, even in emergencies. A barbed-wire fence surrounds the camp, confining its residents within a limited and overcrowded area. With few open spaces, children often play in the narrow pathways, as there is nowhere else for them to go. Tragically, a young child was struck by a truck on one of these pathways yesterday, between Camp-9 and Camp-8. The accident was horrific, with the child’s injuries visibly severe. Such #incidents are sadly not uncommon, as children in the camp often don’t fully understand the risks of playing so close to the road. Given the #restricted and controlled environment, the government should also restrict truck access within the camp. Many drivers operate carelessly, possibly due to prejudice, as the #Rohingya have been rendered stateless and are living in temporary shelter. Corruption at checkpoints allows trucks to enter the camp, leading to frequent accidents that put innocent lives at risk. #INGOs and #NGOs working in the camp should advocate to reduce these preventable tragedies. Many trucks in the camp are operated on behalf of these organizations, so they have a responsibility to train drivers to ensure safety, just as they train their own staff. Each life lost is a tragedy, and we must imagine how it would feel if such a loss happened within our own families. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency IOM - UN Migration International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC - Azimul

Refugee Resilience: Responding to Climate and Conflict-Induced Displacement Inspired by Mike Milken’s statement that ‘giving all people with ability and determination the chance to succeed, regardless of where they come from, is the key to global prosperity,’ I was deeply engaged during the conversation moderated by Raj Kumar, President and Editor-in-Chief Devex and speakers, Nancy Aossey, President and CEO International Medical Corps, Nazanin Ash, CEO Welcome.US, Cristina Shapiro, Chief Strategy Officer and President, Impact Fund for Children UNICEF and UNICEF Innovation Bridge Fund, Carlos Vecchio, Former Ambassador of Venezuela to USA, Sarah Wayne Callies, Ambassador International Rescue Committee and Galia Gharabeg, Caseworker, Reception and Placement, #IRC International Rescue Committee at the Milken Institute, Global Conference 2024. Despite decades of international efforts to protect refugee rights, the global refugee crisis persists. With over 110 million individuals displaced by late 2023, urgent action is needed to address this complex challenge. This session examined how the escalating impact of climate change and regional conflicts fuel mass migration and displacement, and explored strategies to improve preparedness and response. Learning from these leading voices actively engaged in designing and implementing the necessary infrastructure to provide much-needed relief and much-deserved peace for refugees and displaced persons worldwide, I am fuelled by the fact that our African continent is host to the largest number of forcibly displaced persons worldwide: 36 million, and that African-led solutions are key to solving the challenges of forced displacement across our continent. I and The Wellbeing Foundation Africa look forward to continuing to improve education, climate resilience, socio-economic livelihoods, and health services with our global partners UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency to ignite positive changes to the lives of 36 million forcibly displaced people, as investing in the future of African refugees and displaced persons, is an investment in the future of Africa. #MIGlobal #MilkenInstitute #ShapingaSharedFuture #WellbeingEconomy #WellbeingForAll

When I think of #WorldRefugeeDay, I think of the millions of refugees confined in camps for decades and the thousands just arriving or getting displaced, uncertain of the future but hoping for better. I will not celebrate suffering in the name of "resilience" but acknowledge it. We need #Peace, but peace is more than the absence of war. It means creating a world that does not generate more refugees—a world where refugees can rebuild their lives with dignity. We need to ramp up support for refugee education, livelihoods, and businesses. When refugees have access to education, they can hope for a better future. When they can work and start businesses, they can contribute to and enrich communities. Moreover, with the impacts of climate change becoming a daily reality in refugee camps, witnessing floods and displacements, and refugees being displaced to be displaced, there is a need for immediate strategic action to build the adaptive capacities of refugees, replan settlements and economic safety nets. I urge governments in the East &Horn of Africa to implement #KDMECC to deliver #ClimateMobility solutions. https://shorturl.at/L67Nf Additionally, access to affordable, reliable and modern energy and electricity is another basic necessity that we take for granted. For refugees, access to electricity means the ability to study after dark, to run businesses, or to stay connected with loved ones. Without it, their chances of self-sufficiency and integration diminish drastically. On this #WorldRefugeeDay, let's move beyond sympathy to action. Stand #WithRefugees and push for policies that provide them with the tools they need to thrive and not just survive. IOM - UN Migration Photo from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Combatting Refugee Hunger: The Need for a ‘GoFundCalories’ Initiative In a world where abundance coexists with scarcity, where some are blessed with plenty while others struggle to survive, there lies an opportunity for compassion to bridge the gap. As Americans, we are fortunate to have access to an abundance of food, often taking for granted the privilege of three meals a day. However, for millions of refugees worldwide, sustenance is a luxury they can only dream of. Consider this: while the average American consumes around 3,600 calories daily, many refugees are forced to survive on less than 250 calories daily. Their reality is perpetual hunger, where every morsel of food is a precious lifeline. It's a stark reminder of the disparities that exist in our world, disparities that call upon us to act with empathy and generosity. Now imagine if each of us, including the poorest among us, were to donate just 350 calories of our daily intake to those in need. It may seem like a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things, but for someone surviving on less than 250 calories a day, it could mean the difference between despair and hope, between hunger and sustenance. By donating a portion of our daily calories to refugees, we can make a tangible difference in their lives. We can provide them with the nourishment they so desperately need to survive and thrive. But more than that, we can send a powerful message of solidarity and compassion, showing them that they are not forgotten and that their struggle is our struggle too. This act of giving isn't just about providing physical sustenance; it's about restoring dignity and restoring faith in humanity. It's about recognizing our shared humanity and our shared responsibility to uplift those who have fallen on hard times. So let us come together as Americans, regardless of our circumstances, and extend a hand of kindness to our fellow human beings. Let us donate a minimum of 750 calories of our daily consumption and more to refugees around the world, not out of charity, but out of a deep-seated belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. Together, we can make a difference, one calorie at a time.  

"You look...different 😬" my colleague said when I returned from the Rohingya refugee camp yesterday – not even trying to conceal a smirk at my thoroughly dishevelled post-camp appearance. The 90-minute air-conditioned car ride back to the office had cooled me down a bit, but it had done nothing to fix my shiny face, messy hair, and dust-covered, rumpled clothes. Camp days can be tough. We make our way through crowded neighbourhoods, wait around in the burning sun, and sometimes crouch, run, jump, stand on one leg, or hang from signposts just to get that perfect shot. But still, when field tasks are to be divided among the team, every single one of us is quick to raise our hands. We love going there, not just to produce content but also to meet people, be inspired by their stories, and be reminded of why we're here. That car ride back to Cox's Bazar is a great time to reflect on all the people who can't leave, spending the night in the sweltering heat under bamboo and tarpaulin. The refugee nurses standing ready at the hospitals to care for those felled by the heat. The volunteers going door to door checking up on people as temperatures soar. The firefighters on-call to respond if disaster strikes. It makes tangible the continued humanitarian support that is so urgently needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the refugees here in Cox’s Bazar, and why we cannot slack in ensuring the world pays attention to the Rohingya Refugee Crisis. Sunburns and sweaty brows aside, the best days here in Bangladesh are the days we get to make content that reminds the world that nearly one million refugees are still waiting to return home, and that we have a duty of care toward them. https://lnkd.in/gfnVSyBC

An unprecedented humanitarian crisis is unfolding before our eyes in Sudan, yet the world remains silent. Despite countless casualties, over 8 million people displaced, and now a declared famine, safe routes to the UK remain inaccessible to those trying to flee this deadly conflict. We're fighting to end this injustice and providing free, expert legal support to those fleeing Sudan to reunite with family safely in the UK. Our partners' support BCLP, Simmons & Simmons, Milbank LLP, Herbert Smith Freehills, Gibson Dunn and Squire Patton Boggs is crucial in sustaining this crisis project, and together, we'll work towards refugee justice. https://lnkd.in/gNVCwica

Sweden preparedness week This week is the preparedness week in Sweden which aim to engage both individuals and the society in general in the preparedness for war and crisis in Sweden. Considering the situation we have with war in many countries, this feels very relevant. Did you know that in 2023 around 110 million people were forced to leave their homes because of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or other events. 62.5 million people were displaced within their own country and 36.4 million became refugees, forced to flee their country. Having to leave your home under those circumstances are devastating and the conditions are often very hard, without access to clean water, food and energy. Many of those who are forced to leave their home live in refugee camps for a very long time, sometimes their whole life. IKEA Foundation has together with their strategic partner UNHCR engaged in several projects to improve the conditions in those camps. For example together with Better Shelter they have developed and installed temporary houses replacing existing tents. The shelter was developed through a collaboration between the IKEA Foundation, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Better Shelter social enterprise. It can be built quickly from a flat-pack and gives families who lose their homes during conflicts and disasters a more dignified life. UNHCR has used the shelters to house displaced families in several countries, including Greece, Iraq, Djibouti, Chad and Serbia. Thanks to the shelters’ modular design, they are also being used as healthcare centres. https://lnkd.in/d4iEFfGF https://lnkd.in/dRkkccSi #IKEA Foundation

In the often overlooked and isolated refugee camps, iACT continues to stand out as one of the few #organizations dedicated to supporting refugee children. In #Gado #Refugee Camp, Cameroon, where many organizations have lost funding and donor interest has reduced , the situation for refugees remains dire. During conversations with camp leaders, community representatives, and parents, it became clear that #food #insecurity is the most pressing challenge facing the refugees in Gado. Despite ongoing efforts to facilitate repatriation, many refugees are not ready to return, and some who do leave often come back, according to camp administrators. In addition to food insecurity, refugees are grappling with issues related to #healthcare, #housing, and #education. Many schools, once funded by international NGOs, have been forced to close due to lack of funds, leaving many children without access to #education. This is where iACT continues to make a critical #impact. By integrating sports into educational initiatives, iACT’s RUSA Academy provides refugee children with a sense of normalcy, structure, and hope. One parent shared, “RUSA Academy has been my child’s school for the past three years, and the joy and excitement it brings him, both in learning and playing with others, is incredible.” While iACT’s #efforts are vital, the need for greater involvement from INGOs, actors, and donors is immense. Refugee camps like Gado require sustained support to address these urgent challenges and provide children with the opportunities they deserve.