World refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20th.But is it just another ritual? Do we just dangle numbers of displaced and remain unmoved?

Embracing Hope and Compassion: Is Kenya on track?

The cry has been there, there has been huge sympathy but now it is time to empathize!!! World refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20th  .This week we just commemorated. But is it just another ritual? Do we just dangle numbers of displaced and remain unmoved? Where is our humanity!!.

Now and beyond, let us come together as a global community to shed light on the plight of millions of displaced individuals who have been uprooted from their homes due to conflict, persecution, and unimaginable hardship. The UNHCR Global Trends Report for 2022 paints a stark picture of the growing crisis, demanding urgent attention and collective action. It is a call to arms, reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect and support refugees worldwide. Today , we rally for change, advocating for a world that embraces hope and compassion. This year’s theme being “Hope away from Home. A world where refugees are always included” is vital call to have a wholistic view to ensure prevention of manmade causes for displacement and appropriate response to natural calamities causes.

The numbers of displaced communities speak volumes; over 110 million people were forcibly displaced, including nearly 40.7 million refugees, with children accounting to more than 40% of the displaced population by end of 2022 according to UNHCR. These statistics represent the stories of real people, each with dreams, aspirations, and untapped potential. Behind these numbers lie individual journeys filled with suffering, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of safety and dignity. A look at the kenya refugee statistics of around 600,000 and journey to the Kenyan refugee camps in Kakuma and Dadaab each hosting about a quarter of a million serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for intensified action. The UNHCR's revelation that 90% of the world's displaced originate from middle- and low-income countries, with 76% finding temporary refuge in similar nations, highlights the immense strain on resources and limited access to opportunities. This crisis transcends national boundaries; it is a global predicament that demands the immediate activation of the principles outlined in the Global Compact for Refugees. It is incumbent upon us to address burden-sharing, foster self-reliance, and tirelessly work towards restoring peace in the countries from which these refugees have been uprooted.

In achieving this year’s theme of a world where refugees are included a narrative shift is needed. It is crucial to challenge the negative narrative surrounding refugees and reshape public perception. Rather than viewing refugees as burdens, let us recognize their incredible resilience and the countless contributions they bring to their host communities. Refugees are not liabilities but assets—skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators who can enrich our societies if given the opportunity. By welcoming and integrating refugees, we create vibrant, diverse, and inclusive communities. Evidence in kenya shows refugees have created opportunities of employment in kenya and an enterprising population whose potential has not been tapped fully. The Kenya Refugee Act of 2021 section 28 creates a path for inclusion of refugees in access to economic and social opportunities. A myriad of policies, practical and rigidities stand in in the way and it is everyone's hope that barriers to access to work permits and access to financial services would be lifted for realization.

There is a global need for strengthened protection measures. We must work together to ensure refugees receive adequate legal protection, access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. Governments and international organizations must collaborate to establish robust systems that facilitate safe and dignified pathways for asylum seekers and provide support to host countries. In doing so, we can alleviate the burden on host communities and empower refugees to rebuild their lives.

While immediate relief efforts are crucial, we must also focus on long-term solutions that address the root causes of displacement. By investing in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and development initiatives, we can create sustainable conditions that enable individuals to rebuild their lives in their countries of origin. Empowering local communities, supporting economic development, and promoting social cohesion are essential components of a comprehensive approach to tackling the refugee crisis.

 It is imperative that Kenya accelerates its implementation of the "Shirika plan" which seeks to operationalize the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, a crucial domestication of the Global Compact for Refugees. The fact that this plan is five years behind since the global compact was adopted by UN member states in December 2018 calls for immediate action and increased momentum. The involvement of counties in refugee management, with Nairobi, Garissa, and Turkana acknowledging the displaced in their respective County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), is a significant step forward. However, adequate resourcing is urgently needed to drive the much-needed change and ensure the well-being and dignity of refugees in Kenya.

The call in this refugee day, should not just be another year of commemoration, people’s lives and future is at stake. It is time for action. Let us rally for change and advocate for a world that embraces hope and compassion. Governments, civil society, and individuals demonstrate solidarity, fostering an environment where refugees are not left to languish in uncertainty but are welcomed with open arms and a compassionate spirit. By working hand in hand, we can turn the tide of this crisis, providing a brighter future for millions of displaced individuals. Let us seize this opportunity to transform lives and build a world where every human being, regardless of their origin, can live in peace, dignity, and with their dreams restored.

Surely!! for how long shall we keep celebrating the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution on refugee day without concrete steps to ensure they live in dignity?