#UN refugee agency (UNHCR)

[madamepestilence]

Just as a reminder as I've just noticed myself - arab.org has more pages to support on

In case you're unfamiliar with how this site works, it confirms ad revenue via your clicks, which allows them to donate money to various funds

These go to:

Children -> UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)

Fight Poverty -> UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)

Environment -> Greenpeace MENA (Middle East and North Africa)

Palestine -> UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency [for Palestine Refugees in the Near East])

Refugees -> UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

Women -> UN Women

Do more with your daily clicks! You can help each one once per individual (perhaps per IP address?) per day, letting you help out with six things at once?

US-specific advice for helping Palestine below cut.

Side note I'm keeping beneath the cut since it's relevant to US folks only: if you're really determined to help Palestine, vote for Dr. Cornel West, Ph.D. for President of the United States.

He's the most openly vocal about a free Palestine and is the only candidate who has demonstrably shown he is the most committed and prepared to immediately cease US support to Israel.

Joe Biden isn't going to cave if he gets re-elected. We all know that. Voting third party is a lot less risky than you've been taught - the two party system can replace one or both parties with new parties if they lose public favour.

We have both the people and the ability to unseat the Democratic party and install Socialism, and between Socialism and Republicans, Socialism is going to lock in place immediately and become the dominant political force in America.

Cornel West's Platform

Cornel West's Volunteer Events

Cornel West's Ballot Access Tracker and Ballot Access Plans

Tumblr thread I have of Primary/Caucus polling dates in the US (includes US territories)

Not on your Primary/Caucus ballot? Write-in, "Cornel West," on your ballot, or urge your Caucus representatives to do the same.

In a state where it's difficult for Independent candidates to get ballot access? Dr. Cornel West, Ph.D. thought ahead and has created a new party for those states called the Justice for All Party.

(Addendum: Claudia de la Cruz is not a viable alternative. The Party for Socialism and Liberation has a Conservative 5th Column and has frequent issues with discrimination.)

Free Palestine. Vote for Cornel West.

[reasonsforhope]

"In a landmark move towards ending statelessness, Thailand’s cabinet has approved an accelerated pathway to permanent residency and nationality for nearly half a million stateless people, marking one of the region’s most significant citizenship initiatives. 

The decision announced on Friday [November 1, 2024] will benefit 335,000 longtime residents and members of officially recognized minority ethnic groups, along with approximately 142,000 of their children born in Thailand.

“This is a historic development,” said Ms. Hai Kyung Jun, UN refugee agency (UNHCR) Bureau Director for Asia and the Pacific. The measure is expected to dramatically reduce statelessness, addressing the situation of the majority of nearly 600,000 people currently registered as stateless in the country.

Thailand’s commitment to eradicating statelessness has positioned the Government as a leader in addressing this humanitarian challenge, the agency said.

The country recently pledged at the Global Refugee Forum 2023 to resolve statelessness and was among the founding members of the Global Alliance to End Stateless, an initiative launched by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, in Geneva last month...

UNHCR has expressed its commitment to continue working closely with the Royal Thai Government on the implementation of this groundbreaking decision and to ending statelessness overall."

-via United Nations News, November 1, 2024

[ashleymilesphil]

What This Means for Queer Refugees🏳️‍🌈

Hey everyone, I need to talk about something critical for LGBTQ+ refugees like me who rely on the UN and the U.S. for survival and resettlement.

According to this report, Trump is planning to withdraw the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council and extend the funding ban on UNRWA, the agency that supports Palestinian refugees but also plays a role in humanitarian aid across regions. This is alarming because the U.S. has been a major player in UN resettlement programs including UNHCR, which many LGBTQ+ refugees depend on to escape violence, persecution, and statelessness.

For many of us, the UN resettlement programs are our last hope for safety. If funding is cut and U.S. influence weakens in these agencies, more of us will be left stranded in dangerous camps and hostile environments. Queer refugees already face extreme discrimination, starvation, violence, and lack of medical care. Without international support, survival becomes even harder.

We cannot stay silent. The global queer community and allies must stand against policies that harm refugees and strip away their pathways to safety. Please share this post, raise awareness, and support refugee-led advocacy efforts.

Solidarity can save lives. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️✊🏽

[lettiegrief]

Links for donations to Sudan

UNHCR ACNUR: People are being forced to flee amid fighting and refugees are arriving in neighboring Chad in desperate need of help.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is on the ground assisting newly arrived refugees and providing life-saving support.

CICV: Health care could collapse at any time, despite the best efforts of Sudanese health teams, who continue to work in extremely difficult conditions, caring for injured people and providing other essential services to the population.

There are severe shortages of water, energy, food and essential medical supplies.

Sudan Relief Fund: CRISIS APPEAL: Nearly 7.1 million people displaced in Sudan. Destruction of healthcare facilities, disruption of critical healthcare services like immunizations, newborn care and availability of healthcare workers is putting many at risk of death and life-threatening complications. We need every bit of help in generating a relief fund to continue our efforts in Sudan.

Sudanese family of 8 struggling to escape the War.

Emergency response in Sudan: UNICEF continues to call for an immediate ceasefire across Sudan, and reiterates its call for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian and human rights law – including ensuring that children are protected – and that rapid, safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to children and families in affected areas is facilitated. Without such access, critical lifesaving humanitarian support will be out of reach for millions of vulnerable children.

Despite the challenges, UNICEF and partners have provided life-saving assistance to more than 6 million children inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries, including water, health, nutrition, safe spaces and learning.

Sudan: A deepening humanitarian crisis: Sudan has plunged into a conflict of alarming scale, leaving half of the population in need of urgent assistance to survive.

This comes on top of existing challenges including economic hardship, disease outbreaks and climate-related hazards.

Families are struggling to access water, food, fuel, and other critical commodities and they need urgent help.

Be a lifeline to Migrants in need: With almost 25 million people - half the population - in need of some form of aid, the situation is particularly dire for the more than 7 million people displaced within Sudan.

Periods Don’t Stop for War! Stand with Sudanese Women and Girls: They Need Your Help Now!: SIHA Network will partner with the PNDS (Fawta Tsed Alkhana – Pad Needed, Dignity Seeded) Initiative and Sustainable Development Response Organization (SUDRO) on a campaign to collective donations and use them to buy and distribute the crucial menstrual dignity kit items Sudanese women and girls desperately need right now.  

Through providing menstrual products, the risk on women and girls’ health can be decreased and their well-being can be improved. 

You can also donate to MSF International here and for MSF Sudan here.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Flooded Brazil 'ghost town' a climate warning to world, UN advisor says

Record floods that killed over 170 people and displaced half a million in southern Brazil are a warning sign of more disasters to come throughout the Americas because of climate change, an official at the United Nations' refugee agency said on Tuesday.

Roughly 389,000 people, opens new tab in the state of Rio Grande do Sul remain displaced from their homes because of the intense rain and flooding, which local officials say was the worst disaster in the region's history. Scientists say climate change made the flooding twice as likely to happen.

Andrew Harper, special advisor on climate action to the refugee agency UNHCR, visited a flooded neighborhood in state capital Porto Alegre over the weekend and called it "a ghost town."

"It was underwater for almost 40 days. There wasn't even any rats running around. Everything had died," Harper said in an interview on Tuesday.

Continue reading.

[crossdreamers]

The Life of an Ugandan LGBTQ Refugee in South Sudan

Transgender World presents the voice of a transgender woman fleeing persecution in Uganda.

By Jack Molay

The anti-LGBTQ laws of Uganda

Uganda has some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women in Uganda.

Even though the Ugandan government argue that their homophobic and transphobic laws are anti-colonial, the policy has, in fact, roots in British colonial laws introduced when Uganda was a British protectorate. These days right-wing American Evangelicals do their best to fan the flames of queer-phobia in Uganda.

This policy is accompanied by deeply held homophobic and transphobic beliefs in large parts of the population. We have already reported on N., a lesbian LGBTQ-activist who fled to the Kakuma camp in Kenya when her mother and her sister were killed by her fellow villagers.

Queer life in Kenyan refugee camps

Kenya may be a little bit more lenient when it comes to practicing its own anti-LGBTQ laws ("sodomy" is punishable by 21 years' imprisonment), but the camps have their violent queer-phobic mobs, so you are never safe.

Queer Ugandan refugees in Kenya. Photo: Brian Inganga/AP Photo

From Kenya to South Sudan

This has led some LGBTQ-refugees to flee from the Kakuma camp in Kenya to another camp in South Sudan. One reason is the hope of becoming part of some of the Western refugee repatriation programs. That might seem like a long shot, but some have actually managed to get to the US and Canada.

We are deliberately not giving you the name of the South Sudan camp here, as the local authorities are searching the web in order to identify queer and trans refugees.

South Sudan criminalizes sexual activity between males and the gender expression of trans women. Neither Kenya nor South Sudan accept being queer or trans reason for being given a refugee status. There are clear limits to what the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, can or will do to protect them, even though the organization clearly condemns anti-LGBTQ violence.

We are in touch with several refugees in Kenya and South Sudan, and today we have the privilege of sharing one such life story with you, namely the story of A., a transgender woman who is now living in a camp in South Sudan. Her story can give you a glimpse into the life of LGBTQ refugees in both Kenya and South Sudan.

We know the real identity of A, but will not reveal it here due to fear of persecution. The original text has been anonymized for that reason.

The life of A

My name is A., and I am 37 years old Ugandan. I have a bachelor's degree from a university in Kampala, and I have worked in various fields, including banking, administration, customer service, and social work. I have always prided myself on my education and professional skills, but life as an LGBTQ person in Uganda has forced me to face some of the harshest realities imaginable.

I grew up in Jinja, Uganda, raised by my grandmother after my parents were unable to care for me. My mother abandoned me when I was just a baby, and my father died when I was only a year old.

The Jinja Nile Bridge

Despite these challenges, my grandmother provided me with love and stability until her death in 2019. My upbringing, however, was marred by the harsh realities of being different in a society that doesn’t easily accept those who don’t conform to the traditional expectations of gender and sexuality.

Being different

From a young age, I knew that I was different. I began to recognize my attraction to the same gender and struggled to understand my feelings amidst a society that fiercely upheld heteronormative values.

As I navigated my teenage years, I was drawn to boys, but those feelings were never acknowledged or accepted. My self-expression, which sometimes included clothing choices that blurred gender lines, made me a target for mockery and ridicule. The boys I had crushes on were seen as forbidden, and I lived in constant fear of being found out.

Violence

Growing up as an LGBTQ individual in Uganda was incredibly difficult. I faced relentless bullying, harassment, and rejection—not just from peers but from my own family. I was forced to endure physical and emotional violence, including one harrowing incident in 2002, where I was publicly stripped by my peers who questioned my gender.

The bullying continued throughout my life, but it reached a breaking point when I was arrested at the age of 16 after being caught with my boyfriend.

My family, including religious leaders, condemned me, and I was beaten and rejected by those I had once considered family. I was shunned and made to feel like a disgrace.

Workplace discrimination

In the workplace, I encountered further discrimination. I was fired from jobs because of my sexual orientation, as many employers in Uganda hold deeply homophobic views. My attempts to find work were thwarted by my family’s influence, who ensured that my efforts were sabotaged. I was left financially dependent on my boyfriend, and my prospects seemed bleak.

In 2017, my family forced me into an arranged marriage with a woman, even though I was already in a serious relationship with my boyfriend.

My family found out about our relationship and, in retaliation, I was arrested and once again ostracized. This led to my final job termination and left me in a precarious position, financially and emotionally.

My family told me never to seek help from anyone, including organizations like Icebreakers Uganda and Happy Family Shelter, who tried to support me. This cycle of rejection and violence ultimately led me to make the difficult decision to leave Uganda.

From Kenya to South Sudan

I fled to Kenya in 2021 , seeking safety and a fresh start. But even in Kenya’s refugee camps, I faced constant threats, violence, and discrimination. The environment was hostile, and I found no protection from the UNHCR. Fearing for my life, I eventually made my way to a camp in South Sudan, hoping to find a safe place for LGBTQ refugees like myself.

From the Kakuma Camp in Kenya (UNHCR)

Unfortunately, life in this camp has not been much better. We are discriminated against by the host community, and on December 27th, we were raided, beaten, and had all our belongings—including food—stolen. Our lives here are constantly at risk, and I fear for my safety every day.

A. was beaten up in the camp. (Private photo)

As an LGBTQ person living in this camp, I am forced to hide who I am, not just for my safety, but for survival. We live in a country that does not accept us, and we are subjected to violence and abuse simply for being who we are.

The constant fear, combined with the lack of basic resources, has made life unbearable. As someone with hypertension, my health is also at risk, as I lack access to necessary medication and proper care.

Hope for a better future

Despite these hardships, I remain hopeful for a better future. I am an educated person with a strong desire to rebuild my life. I want to find a place where I can live freely and authentically, where I can work again and contribute to society. I want to love openly, find a partner, and live a life where I am not forced to hide who I am.

My dream is to find safety, stability, and acceptance things that have been out of my reach for so long.

I ask for help not just for myself, but for all LGBTQ refugees facing similar struggles. I seek food, clothing, and medical care, but more than that, I long for a chance to live the life I’ve always dreamed of—free from fear, discrimination, and violence.

With your support, I hope to one day build a future where I can be myself, contribute to the world around me, and finally find the peace and acceptance I’ve always craved.

A.

Main illustration: Atlas Studio

[mariacallous]

Ukraine is set to face its toughest winter since the start of the full-scale invasion as Russia eyes cutting off its nuclear power after already bombing out capacity from half of its electricity generation sector in large-scale air strikes.

For now, Russia is not directly striking the plants with missiles and kamikaze drones. But Moscow has increasingly targeted nearby infrastructure, such as substations containing crucial equipment like transformers and power lines connecting nuclear plants to the grid.

“We're in a world where (Ukraine) has a deficit of functioning infrastructure. This is going to be the hardest winter yet,” International Energy Agency (IEA) Chief Economist Tim Gould told the Kyiv Independent.

If Russian attacks successfully disconnect all the power plants from the grid, then Ukraine’s only stable power source is gone, said Warsaw-based energy analyst Wojciech Jakobik.

“(Nuclear power) is a baseload capacity, which is irreplaceable by renewables, other sources, and especially not by energy imports,” he told the Kyiv Independent.

“With a smaller nuclear capacity in place, Ukraine will have less flexibility and less ability to stabilize (energy) generation.”

Ukraine has lost 9 gigawatts of power generation, including eight thermal plants and five hydro plants, due to Russian strikes this year. While companies scramble to repair their damaged assets, Russia is gearing up to attack Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure, the Energy Ministry's press office told the Kyiv Independent, which would freeze out Ukrainians and cause a humanitarian crisis if the country can’t swiftly repair and protect its infrastructure.

After the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in 2022, Ukraine relies heavily on three nuclear plants remaining under government control. They are the lifeline of the country, providing 60% of its power. The last mass attack on Aug. 26 forced Ukraine to disconnect three units at the Rivne and South Ukraine plants, causing weeks of power outages.

The country’s state-owned nuclear company, Energoatom, told the Kyiv Independent that all its power units are ready to operate at “maximum capacity” during the heating season, and the company connected a refurbished one-gigawatt nuclear power unit to the grid on Oct. 1. However, it has only recently announced plans to build additional fortifications to protect power plants from attacks.

Without stable power, Ukrainians will face another round of blackouts similar to the ones in the summer which could last as long as eight hours a day, according to Kyiv-based think tank DiXi Group. Brutally cold winter temperatures during power outages will freeze pipes, cutting off Ukrainians’ access to water and heating, and may lead to another wave of refugees, the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) told the Kyiv Independent.

At the same time, attacks on nuclear infrastructure massively heighten the risks of accidents, the Energy Ministry's press office said. While Jakobik believes a Chernobyl-like scenario is unlikely as reactors are well protected, damage to substations could prevent backup supplies of electricity that ensure the safety of reactors, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The EU and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv both told the Kyiv Independent that they are pitching in to bolster the energy sector in time for winter with financial support, backup equipment, and humanitarian aid. But with Russia relentlessly churning out and firing its missiles and drones, the only tangible tool for energy security is stronger air defense, the Energy Ministry's press office said.

Running out of time and options

During the first years of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine relied on different facilities within its massive energy sector to survive the initial attacks on energy infrastructure and even managed to export electricity to the EU. But that changed this year after mass attacks beginning in March wiped out 50% of its energy assets. Now, Ukraine has run out of options and switched from exporting to importing 2 gigawatts of electricity from its European neighbors. Winter power outages appear inevitable. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission (UNHRMM) expects blackouts to last between 4-18 hours a day, depending on attacks and the weather, causing living conditions to crumble for millions of citizens. “The deficit of electricity supply could be up to 6 gigawatts. That's the equivalent of peak demand in Denmark,” Gould said. With nuclear power as the remaining foundation for Ukraine’s energy stability, it is the prime target for Russian strikes, the Energy Ministry's press office said. Ukraine’s government seeks to decentralize the power grid as quickly as possible, but this is unlikely to happen by the winter and private energy companies are desperately restoring their assets to strengthen the grid.

Ukraine hopes to recover 3 gigawatts by the end of the year, said Olena Lapenko, general manager in the Field of Security and Resilience at DiXi Group. But this depends on critical funding, which state electricity grid operator Ukrenergo puts at $1.5 billion for rapid repairs this season. So far, Ukraine has received nearly 700 million euros ($766 million) from its energy support fund in cooperation with the European Commission, and winter is fast approaching.

Part of the fund covers much-needed equipment, such as autotransformers, to patch up facilities damaged by Russian air strikes as fast as possible. Simple repairs around nuclear plants, like power lines, can be fixed within 24 hours, said Jakobik. But specialized equipment depends on deliveries from Western allies, which can take months unless there are readily available stockpiles, he said. “The tough part is, you replace the old infrastructure with new parts and Russia attacks it once again,” he added. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company owned by its richest man Rinat Akhmetov, has lost 90% of its thermal plants capacity to Russian attacks. By winter, the company hopes to restore 60-65% of its thermal power that was damaged in spring. But even this would not be enough to replace nuclear power if all the plants are disconnected, said Oleksiy Povolotskiy, DTEK’s head of Recovery Office. Another issue, said Povolotskiy, is that the war has bitten a chunk out of Ukraine’s manual workforce while the scale of the damage is massive. DTEK is bringing in workers from other enterprises, like miners, to help clear debris. The company has asked European states to send engineers and machinery for more complex repairs.

The costs of Russian attacks are piling up for Ukraine. DTEK has already funneled $80 million into repairs from its own budget. Instead of relying on equipment that softens the fallout of attacks and power outages, Povolotskiy believes the most efficient solution is for Western allies to provide Ukraine with additional air-defense systems.

“Partners should understand that it is much cheaper and much more efficient to protect (energy facilities) than to repair,” he said.

The U.S. embassy in Ukraine told Kyiv Independent that the Defense Department will provide an additional Patriot battery and missiles but did not specify if this was directly for the protection of energy facilities. For now, this is the only confirmed delivery of an additional air defense battery, although Washington pledged a $2.6 billion aid package on Sept. 26 that includes munitions and support for air defense systems.

Ill prepared and ultra exposed

With no other extra air-defense systems currently in the pipeline, Ukraine’s government is building protective constructions for substations against falling debris and drones. However, not enough constructions have been built in time for winter and contractors have allegedly not been fully paid.

“More concrete constructions must be built as soon as possible,” Povolotskiy said.

Yuliia Kyian, an official at the Energy Ministry, told the Kyiv Independent during a discussion in Kyiv on Oct. 2, that the constructions are expensive and take time to build. They also cannot withstand ballistic missile strikes, she added.

Energoatom has faced criticism. In September and October, the company signed contracts to construct a $12.3 million shield around the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant and a $14.4 million worth of protection around the South Ukraine plant in Mykolaiv Oblast. Ukrainian anti-corruption watchdog Nashi Groshi reported that the contracts were concluded only after President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN Security Council that Russia was preparing an attack on the three operating nuclear plants.

“It is difficult to assess why this was not done earlier,” said DiXi Group’s Lapenko.   “Probably no one could imagine that the Russians would aim directly at the nuclear power sites as this is a serious threat to nuclear safety. But we can’t exclude such a scenario.”

A nuclear disaster would threaten the whole of Europe, the Energy Ministry's press office said, adding that the global community must unite to prevent a catastrophe. Kyiv has reached out to the UN’s nuclear agency (IAEA) to place more observation missions around its power plants, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

International observers will ensure that safety standards are enforced at the plants and combat disinformation, as Moscow frequently denies Ukraine’s accusations of endangering nuclear safety, Jakobik said. Nevertheless, Russia could pummel nuclear facilities to the point that it is dangerous for people to remain and force evacuations.

“Russia is not a responsible stakeholder in the nuclear sector,” he said.

“It's using energy terrorism against Ukraine. You cannot be sure about what Russia is doing,” the energy analyst added.

[magicalcreatorsandwich]

The Continued assaults on LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp has escalated, and security officers using laws to persecute the Vulnerable Queers under UNHCR KENYA watch need to be condemned by everyone.

UNHCR should stop covering up any acts of Homophobia and Transphobia in Kenya.

LGBTI Refugees deserve protection, and better lasting solutions.

#EndGBV. #ProtectRefugees

Amnesty International Kenya UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Department of Refugee Services - DRS, Kenya

Rainbow Railroad Rainbow Refugee

[soniakats12]

Call to Action for Human Rights. Upholding the Dignity of Every Individual

Fellow advocates, and concerned humanitarian institutions

I have come today to reaffirm a fundamental truth: human rights are not privileges bestowed, but inherent to every single one of us, regardless of our background, beliefs, or circumstances. The very essence of our humanity rests on the unwavering commitment to safeguarding these rights, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every voice is heard, every life is valued, and every injustice is challenged.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stands as a beacon of hope, outlining the essential rights that guarantee our dignity – the right to life, freedom from torture, discrimination, equality before the law, freedom of expression, and access to education. Yet, across the globe, these rights are routinely violated, leaving countless individuals marginalized, persecuted, and denied their basic human potential.

1) The urgent realities we face:

Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion

continues to plague societies, denying individuals equal opportunities and perpetuating cycles of prejudice.

2)The ongoing crisis of displacement:

leaves millions without safe haven, exposing them to exploitation and violence.

3) Authoritarian regimes;

Suppress dissent, curtail freedom of speech, and imprison those who dare to speak out.

4) The climate crisis

disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable, exacerbating existing inequalities and threatening basic human survival.

5) Our collective responsibility to Raise awareness:

We must educate ourselves and others about human rights issues, ensuring that the stories of those affected are not silenced.

6) Engage in dialogue:

Open and respectful conversations are crucial to address complex issues and build empathy across diverse perspectives.

7) Support human rights organizations & Activists;

By donating time and resources, we empower organizations working tirelessly to defend human rights on the ground.

8) Hold governments accountable:

We must demand that our leaders uphold human rights principles in their policies, both domestically and internationally.

9) Act with courage:

Whether through peaceful protests, advocacy campaigns, or simply speaking out against injustice, our collective action can create meaningful change.

10) The power of individual action (Activists)

Each of us has the capacity to be an agent of change. We can choose to be allies to marginalized communities, challenge harmful stereotypes, and support policies that promote equality and justice.

In conclusion, defending human rights is not merely a noble pursuit; it is a necessity for a just and equitable world. Let us stand together, united in our commitment to upholding the dignity of every human being, and work tirelessly to build a future where everyone can live free from fear and discrimination.

Thank you.

Soniakats

U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Rainbow Railroad Galck+ U.S. Embassy Nairobi German Embassy Nairobi Amnesty International Kenya UNHCR KENYA Capital Rainbow Refuge Protection International - Africa Protection International President of the European Parliament European Union in Kenya UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Triangle Project EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Black LGBTQ Migrant Project - BLMP Department of Refugee Services - DRS, Kenya U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Conflict & Stabilization Operations Sharon Cox

[eretzyisrael]

by Ruthie Blum

In early 2018, President Donald Trump froze a large portion of the funding that the United States provides annually for UNRWA (the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees a in the Near East). Prior to imposing the $125 million freeze, Trump tweeted: "[W]e pay the Palestinians HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect."

The president's move came in response to the fact that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his henchmen yet again were rejecting American and Israeli peace overtures. Yet it was both welcome and necessary for reasons well beyond Palestinian intransigence. UNRWA not only has an abominable record of ties to terrorism, which makes a mockery of its mandate to " provide relief, human development and protection services;" but its entire existence is based on a false premise -- a special UN definition of "refugee" for Palestinians that sets them apart from other people in the world categorized as such. It thus has been able for decades to keep cash flowing freely into its coffers, providing "humanitarian services" for millions of Palestinians who are not refugees by any measure. As the ZOA's Morton Klein and Daniel Mandel recently wrote:

"All this stands in stark contrast to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the international body that deals with all refugee problems other than the Palestinian Arabs. UNHRC observes a universal definition of refugee status, one that applies solely to those who actually fled their country during hostilities, civil war, natural disaster, or other disturbances. UNHCR works to resettle refugees quickly and dismantle the temporary refugee camps housing them. Nor does it count descendants as refugees. "This has immense practical ramifications: in literally all other cases other than the Palestinian Arabs, the number of refugees shrinks over time — chiefly through successful resettlement. In contrast, in the Palestinian Arab case, their numbers continue to expand ceaselessly. "Thus, instead of the living original refugees officially numbering 30,000, UNRWA now services some 5.3 million Palestinian Arabs."

The actual number of Palestinian refugees is likely even lower than that cited by the authors: a classified State Department report, delivered to Congress in 2015, reveals it to be closer to 20,000. The report showed that billions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled over the years into an organization that seems to have been perpetuating a fraud. It is no wonder, then, that the Obama administration kept the report's contents a secret from the American public. More surprising is the fact that, since the report was first submitted to Congress in 2015 -- and subsequently exposed by the Washington Free Beacon in January, 2018 -- it has yet to be made public. To rectify this situation, fifty-one members of the House of Representatives signed a letter on April 18 -- spurred by the Middle East Forum -- calling on Trump to declassify the report.

Pictured: Ann Dismorr (right), the Director of UNRWA in Lebanon, poses with a map that erases the State of Israel and presents all of it as "Palestine." (Image source: Palestinian Authority TV via Palestinian Media Watch)

[deepwaterwritingprompts]

what was the coolest/most important thing you did with the UN? :0

so my job last summer was basically to run around Geneva CH organizing and leading big groups of students learning about the UN system, how it works, what is diplomacy, what kind of organizations exist within it.

I spent about two months planning and one month literally bursting into different UN agencies, trying to get 40 college kids places on time, sweating to death in the heatwave. WHO staff are super nice and I owe them my life. WIPO took years off my life but they have a piece of the moon in their lobby which is cool. I have beef with a Permanent Mission because they went FORTY MINUTES over their speaking time despite having a moderator present.

that was all wild all the time. the #1 coolest thing I did related to the UN was volunteering at the 2022 Nansen Awards (UNHCR awards for aid to refugees). They ended up needing to fill seats and there wasn't a lot for me to do anyway, so I kind of just...attended them. Angela Merkel spoke. A Eurovision act performed. They served Sri Lankan curry after. it was fabulous and I got a certificate for it.

on a more serious note the coolest/most important thing I did was introduce a lot of university students to the concept that you don't have to major in politics or IR to be involved in the UN. the system is massive and we need people who do every sort of thing, from every country, of every race color gender ability sexuality etc etc.

also if you work in IT please please please apply to work for the UN there are so many jobs and so many web/application portals are so so broken please

- L

(It's Ask Day! Ask me anything about anything. Tag to block/follow is L Answers)

[sekikubo]

🌈 Urgent Call for Action: Rescue LGBTIQ Refugees and Asylum Seekers Trapped in Kakuma Camp, Kenya.

As the world celebrates progress in advancing the rights of the LGBTIQ community, it is disheartening to witness the increasing danger faced by LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers in Kakuma Camp, Kenya. These individuals have fled their home countries seeking safety and acceptance, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of violence and persecution.

Kakuma Camp, originally established to provide refuge to those fleeing conflict and persecution, has sadly become a place where LGBTIQ individuals are subjected to discrimination, exploitation, and even physical harm. Homophobia and transphobia remain prevalent within the camp, leaving these vulnerable individuals isolated and living in constant fear for their lives.

Reports have emerged of systematic violence against LGBTIQ refugees, with incidents of physical assault, sexual violence, and even murder. The lack of adequate protection and support from both the camp authorities and the international community is a grave violation of their fundamental human rights.

It is crucial that immediate action is taken to rescue these marginalized individuals and relocate them to safer environments. Governments, international organizations, and human rights activists must come together to ensure the safety and well-being of all refugees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

First and foremost, the Kenyan government must recognize and address the plight of LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers. They should establish proper mechanisms to investigate and prosecute cases of violence and discrimination within the camp. Moreover, they should work with international organizations to create safe spaces where these individuals can seek support and protection without fear of retribution.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also plays a critical role in this crisis. They must actively engage with the Kenyan government, providing technical assistance and financial support to address the safety concerns faced by LGBTIQ refugees. The UNHCR's mandate to protect and advocate for refugees should extend to everyone, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Civil society organizations and human rights activists must amplify the voices of LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers, demanding immediate action from governments and international organizations. By raising awareness, organizing protests, and advocating for policy changes, we can exert pressure on decision-makers to prioritize the safety and well-being of these individuals.

Furthermore, the international community should provide financial and logistical support to ensure the safe relocation of LGBTIQ refugees to countries where they will be protected and respected. Governments should consider expanding their resettlement programs to accommodate the increasing number of individuals in danger.

It is time for the world to come together and stand in solidarity with LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers trapped in Kakuma Camp. Their cry for help must not go unnoticed or unanswered. Let us advocate for their rescue and ensure that they can live their lives with dignity, free from persecution and violence. 🌈✊

#getusoutofkakumanow

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[jonnylovers-in-neverland]

On October 16th Spotify, in association with FC Barcelona, has chosen Coldplay to feature on the Barça jersey for the men’s team’s game against Real Madrid – also known as El Clásico – on October 26 and the women’s team’s match against Eibar on Nov 2.

One of the limited editions consists of 1,899 units of the match-quality jersey featuring the Moon Music Coldplay logo. Another, even more exclusive edition, consisting of only 22 match quality units will feature a fluorescent effect on the logo and will be signed by the starting players from both matches—the Clásico and the Liga F game. There's also a lifestyle clothing line available from Barça Stores and the club’s e-commerce site. The Moon Music-related logo that features on the shirt was inspired by a design from a Coldplay fan David Saldaña.

Spotify, Coldplay and FC Barcelona will donate the proceeds from this match jerseys collection to a joint project from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR/ACNUR) and the FC Barcelona Foundation.

The band has also curated FC Barcelona's Matchday playlist featuring songs from the band's new album + discography The playlist also features hits as from Karol G, Rosalía, Chappell Roan, Oasis, The Verve, Shakira, The Beatles and more. [link]

"We’re honoured that Spotify has chosen to feature our Moon Music design on the shirt of FC Barcelona. We’ve had a special relationship with the city and the club for many years. We’re also proud to support the UNHCR in their life-saving work to protect refugees and displaced people around the world. Heartfelt thanks to Spotify and FC Barcelona for making this happen."

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazilian nun awarded UN refugee prize

Sister Rosita Milesi runs national network helping refugees across Brazil and has helped shape public policy.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will present its annual Nansen Award to a Brazilian nun who has dedicated herself to helping migrants for decades.

The UN refugee agency announced the winner on Wednesday, lauding Sister Rosita Milesi for her work as a “lawyer, social worker and movement builder” helping internally displaced and stateless people over 40 years.

Milesi, 79, a member of the Catholic order of the Scalabrini nuns, had “personally assisted” thousands of people, ensuring them access to legal documents, shelter, food, healthcare, language training and the labour market, said UNHCR in a statement.

“If I take something on, I will turn the world upside down to make it happen,” said Milesi, the daughter of poor farmers of Italian extraction in southern Brazil, who became a nun at 19.

UNHCR highlighted Milesi’s work as a lawyer, saying it had been “instrumental” in shaping public policy – notably Brazil’s 1997 refugee law, which helped to improve refugee rights.

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