Refugees and hosts have shown resilience

At Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana County, Burundian refugee Innocent Havyarimana has been making hand washing soap. Havyarimana is among 200,000 refugees from 13 countries who have sought shelter from conflict in their countries of origin.

Several kilometres from here, at the Dadaab refugee camp, Amina Hassan conducts a lesson through radio. Amina, a Kenyan, is among teachers now using technology to reach over 100,000 students who attend 22 primary and secondary schools in the camp on the border with Somalia.

These two are just examples of the symbiotic relationship between refugees and host communities across the world.

LABOUR MARKET

Refugees leave home with different experiences, skills and knowledge. However, many of them are often not able to utilise these in their host countries. With the Covid-19 pandemic, some countries, especially in the global North, are urging migrants and refugees in key essential sectors, including health, to come forth and offer their services.

Unfortunately, recognition of prior skills remains low, thus hindering refugees’ meaningful engagement in the local labour market.

This year, the world marks World Refugee Day in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented socio-economic impact. The impact is heavier on the most vulnerable, including those in the informal economy, migrants, refugees, women and the youth.

The theme for this year’s World Refugee Day — ‘Everyone can make a difference; everyone counts’ — could not be more appropriate. It comes at a time when the world is faced with an all-time high displacement. The global refugee population stands at 25.9 million, and most of them under 18.

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Developing countries in the global South host the highest numbers of refugees. Many of these refugees have been in exile on average five years or longer, according to the World Bank.

For communities hosting refugees, the often-large influx of refugees poses several challenges and opportunities. The humanitarian response to displacement created parallel systems of assistance in Eastern Africa.

Refugees often receive food aid during famine while host communities suffering the same fate are not helped. Training and skills are offered to refugees and denied to host communities.

In recognition of this, the UN General Assembly in 2016 adopted the landmark New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants. This was followed by the adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees implemented through the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework that recognises the need for easing pressure on host countries and communities while working towards self-reliance of refugees and pursuing peace in countries of origin.

FUNDING

Many countries in East Africa, including Kenya, are pilot countries of this “new approach to displacement“. In a practical sense, it called for increased long term funding to addresses long standing development challenges. At the same time, local economic development has to be stimulated for opportunities to become available for all.

Kenya’s long standing history of hospitality, especially towards those made most vulnerable by displacement, and efforts will ensure that shared prosperity can be created for both refugees and the communities that host them.

Caroline Njuki is the chief technical adviser on inclusive jobs and education for host communities, refugees and other forcibly displaced persons at ILO Kenya