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  • Burma: An Opportunity to Expand Humanitarian Space 01/11/2012

    After nearly 50 years of brutal military rule, Burma is embarking upon a landmark transition to civilian administration. The country has seen some promising political reforms. But the world’s longest civil war, coupled with natural disasters within the country, has created serious humanitarian needs which still persist. Recently, the Burmese government has demonstrated a willingness to cooperate with humanitarian agencies.
  • DR Congo: Too Soon To Walk Away 07/28/2011

    International interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is waning at a time when hundreds of thousands of Congolese continue to be displaced by ongoing violence. This shift risks squandering the substantial investments made towards peace and stability in the DRC and leaves internally displaced people vulnerable to further violence and suffering. Continued political and financial support by the U.S. and other donor governments is still essential to address both the root causes of the problem and emergency needs – all the more so in the context of November’s elections.

  • Malaysia: Invest in Solutions for Refugees 04/18/2011
    Introduction
  • Bangladesh: The Silent Crisis 04/18/2011
    Introduction
  • Thailand: No Safe Refuge 03/24/2011
    The eruption of conflict between the Burmese military and an ethnic rebel faction in eastern Burma has forced over 30,000 people to flee to Thailand since November 2010. Skirmishes are ongoing and both parties have planted landmines in people’s villages and farmlands. While the Thai government has a long-standing policy of providing refuge for “those fleeing fighting,” the Thai army is pressuring Burmese to return prematurely and restricting aid agencies.
  • Iraq's Displaced: A Stable Region Requires Stable Assistance 02/16/2011

    The next two years will be defining ones for the future of Iraq and the United States' legacy in the region. It would be a grave mistake for the U.S. Government to diminish efforts to protect and assist Iraq's displaced. A reduction of funding and diplomacy on the issue could undermine stated U.S. foreign policy goals and lead to the creation of a second large-scale protracted displacement crisis in the Middle East. Current programs are creating unity in Iraq by helping people return home to their villages and by providing assistance to the most vulnerable.
  • Afghanistan: In a Time of Conflict 12/01/2010
    One year after President Obama’s announcement of the Afghanistan strategy, the country continues to slide into crisis. The U.S.-led military surge in the south is driving insecurity north, causing thousands to flee. Internal displacement has increased by 50 percent and natural disasters and chronic food shortages continue to erode Afghans’ ability to survive, leading to rapid urbanization and the rise of slums. Aid used as a tool in the counterinsurgency strategy continues to endanger aid workers and undermine sustainable development.
  • Age, Gender, Diversity Mainstreaming Initiative Key to Urban Protection 11/30/2010
    The UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) approach to urban refugee protection in Nairobi, Kenya should serve as a model and best practice for programs worldwide.  By embracing the Age, Gender, and Diversity Mainstreaming Initiative, UNHCR has significantly improved their relationships with the refugee community and has drawn upon resources within that community to strengthen protection.  UNHCR has forged new partnerships with NGOs and local officials as well as senior management of schools and health clinics.  With minimal resources, UNHCR Nairobi was able to achieve these positive results mostly throu
  • Somalis in Kenya: Invest in the Long-Term 11/29/2010

    While the international community has not succeeded in bringing stability to Somalia, it can succeed in improving the lives of Somali refugees.  The single most important way the donor community can assist the Somali people is through increasing educational opportunities.  Humanitarian assistance alone cannot meet the needs of three generations of Somali refugees.  Donors and the United Nations must provide greater development funding to refugees and host communities living in and around Dadaab.  To improve urban protection, the UNHCR must dedicate more staff for registration in Nairobi a
  • Uzbekistan: Committed Leadership on Refugees and Asylum Key to Regional Protection Efforts 08/10/2010
    By opening its borders to some 100,000 vulnerable ethnic Uzbek refugees fleeing deadly violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, the Uzbekistan government demonstrated rare humanitarianism and respect for international law. After the clashes subsided, Uzbekistan arranged with Kyrgyzstan to encourage the refugees to voluntarily return for Kyrgyzstan’s June 27 constitutional referendum.
  • Kyrgyzstan: Ensuring Security and Human Rights Required to Put Country Back on Course 07/29/2010

    The official mourning period for the dead and wounded in southern Kyrgyzstan has ended, but inter-ethnic tensions, fears and human rights abuses haunt this area, particularly its Uzbek citizens. Some 75,000 people remain displaced. Thousands of Uzbeks have sought refuge in neighboring countries or have migrated to Russia. Kyrgyzstan’s interim government must act to ensure physical and legal security for all citizens and end impunity for those responsible for attacks, arbitrary arrests, detention, kidnappings, extortion and intimidation.
  • Pakistan: Short-Sighted Policies Hindering U.S. Goals 04/05/2010
    Military operations in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) continue to displace thousands of civilians. The role of the Pakistani military in the humanitarian response as well as allegations of human rights abuses in its counterinsurgency operations, has yet to be prioritized, particularly by the U.S. government. Simultaneously, U.S. development funding in the FATA is not having its intended impact, while projects that could significantly improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis are not receiving enough support.
  • India: Close the Gap for Burmese Refugees 12/08/2009
    Like Burma’s other neighbors, India hosts a large and growing refugee population, the majority of whom are Chin ethnic minorities.
  • Thailand: New Problems Challenge Old Solutions 09/30/2009
    Burmese refugees have been living in Thailand for more than two decades. The situation is fluid: resettlement programs have provided tens of thousands of people with new lives, while a new wave of conflict in Burma is changing the political landscape and forcing thousands of new refugees to flee into Thailand.  While the Royal Thai Government should be commended for its willingness to host new arrivals, it must also respond to the fact that ongoing conflict in neighboring Burma will prevent refugees from going home anytime soon.
  • Iraqi Refugees: Women’s Rights and Security Critical to Returns 07/15/2009

    The Iraqi refugee crisis is far from over and recent violence is creating further displacement. Iraqi women will resist returning home, even if conditions improve in Iraq, if there is no focus on securing their rights as women and assuring their personal security and their families’ well being.  Reducing support to displaced families could force returns to insecure areas without adequate services and trigger additional instability in Iraq. Budget cuts will hit women the hardest.  The U.S.
  • Central African Republic: Fragile Peace Provides Opportunity 01/15/2009

    > Read the story of a blind displaced man RI staff met.

  • Paix fragile en Centrafrique : une chance à saisir 01/15/2009

    Les gouvernements donateurs, les agences internationales, et les dirigeants nationaux devraient saisir l’occasion qu’ils ont aujourd’hui de mettre un terme au conflit  afin que la République Centrafricaine puisse se rétablir progressivement. Le processus de paix progresse et des milliers de personnes déplacées qui avaient fui la violence et le banditisme de grand chemin ont pu rentrer chez eux. Mais on estime à  209 000 les Centrafricains toujours déplacés à l’intérieur du pays, ou réfugiés dans les pays voisins tels que le Cameroun, Tchad et Soudan.
  • From Fast Death to Slow Death: Palestinian Refugees from Iraq Trapped on the Syria-Iraq Border 11/25/2008
    Summary Report of an International NGO Delegation

    Having fled killings, kidnappings, torture, and death threats, about 3,000 Palestinian refugees from Iraq are currently stranded in three camps along the border between Syria and Iraq. Denied asylum and refugee rights, they are extremely vulnerable in poorly situated camps. The Syrian government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are both open to third country resettlement on humanitarian grounds and on the basis of individual choice. Therefore, the challenge now lies with both traditional and emerging resettlement countries, in collaboration with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to accept these Palestinian refugees from Iraq for resettlement, allowing the inhospitable camps to be closed.

  • Somalia: Policy Overhaul Required 11/19/2008

    Somalia is the world’s worst humanitarian disaster and aid agencies are unable to respond to the immense scale of needs. The insecurity preventing assistance is a consequence of failed international political and diplomatic efforts. To stabilize the situation in south central Somalia, U.S. policy requires a complete overhaul, prioritizing humanitarian concerns over narrow counterterrorism objectives. Neighboring countries are bearing the brunt of the refugee outflow and more needs to be done to help them.
  • Iraqi Refugees: Plan for Ongoing Support in an Unstable Region 10/30/2008
    Two million Iraqi refugees are increasingly desperate and few of them are willing to return home.