Richard Adeyinka-Emmanuel’s Post

Congolese refugees have consistently been among the top demographics of ACC newcomers. In FY22, ACC welcomed 79 Congolese refugees, followed by a 67% increase to 132 in FY23. The Democratic Republic of Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Since the late 1990s, the country has been plagued by armed conflicts fueled by ethnic tensions, regional power struggles, and competition over its vast natural resources. The conflict, often referred to as “Africa’s World War”, has caused millions of deaths, directly and indirectly, and has severely affected the population's access to basic services and stability. Despite numerous peace agreements and international interventions. The situation remains fragile, with ongoing instability in the Eastern regions. #CountryBackgrounder #DRC #DemocraticRepublicOfCongo #RefugeesWelcome #Advocacy

International Youth Day: Todays youth are tomorrow’s leaders As the world celebrates International Youth Day, it is important to highlight the plight of refugee children who, despite being among the most vulnerable, are often neglected by the very institutions meant to protect them. My own children, like many others, are victims of this neglect.Since registering with UNHCR in 2019, my children have faced the horrors of human trafficking, attempts of kidnapping, and the constant threat of violence. Yet, despite these dangers, UNHCR has failed to provide the necessary protection and support. They have not only ignored our pleas for assistance but have also declined to take appropriate actions to safeguard my children’s welfare.In Cairo, the situation reached a critical point when an attempted kidnapping occurred just a year ago in August 2023. Since then, my children and I have been forced to stay indoors, living in constant fear, without any aid from the protection team. To make matters worse, my children recently found a school that enrolls students for free—a rare opportunity in our situation. However, they cannot attend because the school requires a resident permit, which will not be available to us until January 2025. This delay not only jeopardizes their education but also perpetuates the cycle of vulnerability and neglect that we have been trapped in for years.In addition, I have repeatedly asked UNHCR for a work permit so that I can provide for my family and give my children a better life. Yet, these requests have gone unanswered, leaving us dependent on aid that has not been forthcoming. Without the ability to work, I am unable to break free from the grip of poverty and insecurity that holds us back. On this International Youth Day, I call on UNHCR to fulfill their humanitarian obligations and prioritize the safety and well-being of refugee children. My children deserve a chance at a safe and dignified life, as do countless other refugee youth who continue to be marginalized and ignored. It is time for UNHCR to step up and take action, not just for my children but for all refugee youth who depend on their protection. Let us not forget that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and they deserve every opportunity to thrive, no matter their circumstances.

In Moldova, D4I mapped indicators for monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities, developed the first compendium on disability, & supported the government to launch 2 Data Review Rooms in Ștefan Vodă rayon & Chișinău to facilitate review of data available on Ukrainian refugee children and families transiting or living in Moldova. https://lnkd.in/eGxfeyZE    USAID Moldova #DataUse

Interesting analysis on costs and benefits of hosting Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Today, on #WorldRefugeeDay, I am excited to share my co-authored book, "A Triple Win: Fiscal and Welfare Benefits of Economic Participation by Syrian Refugees in Jordan," co-authored and co-edited by Hans Hoogeveen and me. This collaboration with the The World Bank and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency , explores the economic participation and welfare of Syrian refugees in Jordan. Our findings reveal that many refugees opt to live outside camps for freedom and autonomy, despite higher poverty risks. While humanitarian aid is essential, it’s insufficient to lift all refugees out of poverty. Enhancing financial autonomy is key. Refugees already earn twice as much as the aid they receive, and easing labor market restrictions could further reduce aid needs by $850 million annually. This triple win empowers refugees, reserves aid for those most in need, and benefits Jordan economically. For more details, check out the book: https://lnkd.in/ept3MavF #WorldRefugeeDay #RefugeeInclusion #EconomicParticipation #SyrianRefugees #Jordan #TripleWin

The latest UNHCR report on Complaint and Feedback Mechanism in the Rohingya refugee response highlights health and gender-based violence (GBV) as important issues in Bangladesh’s camps. From June to September 2024, over 126,880 queries were logged across various feedback channels, with in-person desks being the primary choice, especially for women reporting GBV concerns. Refugee women frequently used these desks, highlighting the need for private, supportive spaces where survivors feel safe to report sensitive issues. Health and safety are top priorities, with 60% of all queries closed during this period. Health-related issues were often managed via phone helplines, while GBV cases required more direct support through in-person interactions. This shows the essential role of trained, dedicated staff at CFM desks to respond to GBV cases, offering the community personal support in critical moments. However, challenges remain, including lengthy approval processes and limited resources, which can delay responses. Improvements are underway, such as training staff in customer care and tele-psychological support for helpline operators to enhance service quality. For humanitarian actors, addressing these challenges is critical to effectively meet the health and safety needs of refugees, particularly women and GBV survivors, and to provide the respect and care they deserve. #RohingyaResponse #HumanitarianAction #GenderBasedViolence #HealthSupport #RefugeeSupport

Around one third of refugee women in Australia are estimated to have experienced #domesticviolence (DV) and many face multiple post-migration challenges. Universal screening for domestic violence, and response, is recommended for women in priority populations and has been implemented in health services across diverse jurisdictions. The Safety and Health after Arrival (SAHAR) study, funded by the Australian Research Council and SSI, introduced and evaluated a culturally tailored DV identification and response strategy with women accessing five #refugee settlement services in NSW, Australia, four in the greater Sydney area and one regional NSW site. #familyviolence #domesticandfamilyviolence #DFV #intimatepartnerviolence #IPV

The situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is a pressing humanitarian and policy issue that demands our attention. With millions seeking safety and stability, it’s crucial to promote policies that support their rights and integration while addressing the challenges both communities face. We must advocate for comprehensive strategies that ensure access to education, healthcare, and employment for Afghans, fostering coexistence and mutual benefit. Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and local communities is essential to create sustainable solutions. Let’s raise awareness and work together to support our Afghan neighbors in rebuilding their lives and contributing positively to society. #AfghanRefugees #HumanRights #Pakistan

🌍Today, we join the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in celebrating #WorldRefugeeDay and highlighting the support refugees living with NCDs such as #diabetes require to effectively manage their condition. 🏥Navigating a foreign healthcare system can be challenging to #refugees and those who have been displaced due to language, cultural and operational barriers. Refugees also have a higher risk of developing diabetes, due to increased stress, inadequate living conditions, food insecurity and a lack of access to comprehensive care. 💡There is a clear need to adapt diabetes treatment and culturally sensitive #education to the specific needs of refugees. Updating legal regulations specifically targeting access to treatment and medication and especially access to #mentalhealth for refugees living with diabetes can be of great support to them. IDF Europe has also collaborated with several member associations on creating the Connect Solidarity platform, where Ukrainian Refugees living with diabetes can find information on where and how to get the support they need. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/djyC-NU3

In collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the SMART Initiative is providing technical support to revolutionize data collection and better serve refugees and displaced populations in Pakistan. The new Forced Displacement Survey (FDS) is designed to integrate and standardize surveys to inform decision-making, programming, and data-driven advocacy. FDS survey collection began in May and will continue in Afghan refugee settlements in Pakistan until September 2024. Stay tuned for more updates! 🌍📊 #DataQuality #GameChanger