Op-ed on World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day this year, comes in the midst of dramatic changes surrounding us. COVID-19 has exacerbated the vulnerability of refugees and internally displaced people, particularly women and persons with disabilities.  On its dedicated page, the UN Refugee agency (UNHCR) states.

Everyone can make a difference and Every Action Counts. This is at the heart of UNHCR’s World Refugee Day campaign this year. The United Nations aims to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society, and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.

From camps in Bangladesh to hospitals in Europe, refugees are working as nurses, doctors, scientists, teachers and in other essential roles, protecting themselves and giving back to the communities that host them.

As stated by UN Secretary-General “Nearly 80 million women, children, and men around the world have been forced from their homes as refugees or internally displaced people. Even more shocking: ten million of these people fled in the past year alone.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a dramatic effect on the jobs, livelihoods and well-being of workers and their families, as well as on businesses – particularly Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises - worldwide. Vulnerable groups are particularly affected including: informal workers, young people, women, persons with disabilities, refugees and migrants. Refugees and migrant workers (including many domestic workers) tend to be in temporary, informal or unprotected work, often associated with low wages and poor social protection and discrimination. The global pandemic poses an additional threat to refugees and displaced people, who are among the most vulnerable. The recent UNSG Policy Brief on COVID-19 and People on the Move called on governments to ensure that they are included in all response and recovery efforts.

Moreover, as per IOM cross border Human mobility brief amid the COVID-19 pandemic context, if international travel restrictions remain in place beyond the most critical needs of the current pandemic, there will be severe impacts on communities reliant on travel and mobility linked livelihoods including migrant labour, refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons and returnees. This is particularly the case for remote and countries in conflict and those where reliance on external aid is further exacerbating impact. As resettlement remains a life-saving tool for many refugees, UNHCR and IOM are appealing to States, and working in close coordination with them, to ensure that movements can continue for the most critical emergency cases wherever possible.

The United Nations express their deepest appreciation to the State of Kuwait and H.H the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the Humanitarian Leader. Kuwait has contributed generously in aid of millions of Refugees and Internally Displaced Individuals around the world in support of UNHCR’s activities in countries including Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iran since 2013 until our present day with an estimate of USD 430 million. Additionally, Kuwait is an effective and key member of UNHCR’s 20 million club donors. The State of Kuwait is a strategic partner to UNHCR and is an International exemplary.

Kuwait, being an International Humanitarian Center, has developed strategies and mechanisms to provide aid and support through hosting International pledging conferences to Syria and Iraq situations, in addition to hosting Yemen Peace Talks. Dr. Samer Haddadin Head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at the State of Kuwait stresses on the urgent need of UNHCR for Government’s and partner’s support in lights of the unprecedented increase of the number of Refugees and Internally Displaced persons reaching 79.5 million displaced at the end of last year. Forced displacement is now affecting more than one percent of humanity – 1 in every 97 people – and with fewer and fewer of those who flee being able to return home. And more than eight of every 10 refugees (85 percent) are in developing countries, generally a country neighboring the one they fled.

While the longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to be seen, it will fundamentally reshape the future. the pandemic exposed tremendous shortcomings, fragilities and fault lines.

It is time for a coordinated global, regional and national effort. With smart and timely action at all levels, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as our guide, States will need to make quick decisions with health, safety and security for all at the forefront of their priorities, and ensuring establishing common understanding, generating relevant and accurate data, identifying gaps and finding inclusive solutions to leaving no one behind, will be key.

Last but not least, we shouldn’t forget to pay tribute and recognize the generosity, courage and humanity of host countries despite their own challenges and struggle with their own economic, pressure on their health systems and security concerns. We owe these countries our gratitude, commitment and support.

On World Refugee Day, the United Nations in the State of Kuwait in collaboration with Intisar Foundation is organising a joint UN75Talk webinar and discussion entitled “Women, War, Mental Health and The Quest For Peace” in order to present how drama therapy, as one of the most effective psychological support programmes, can help in healing and empowering women impacted by war across the Arab world. The start of the United Nations was to grow dialogue and mediation between countries in order to keep the Peace and stop future Wars. The start of Intisar Foundation is also to emotionally empower Women to become agents of Peace in the Arab World and stop future Wars. This webinar is a Collaboration of Peace at its core and purpose. So exhilarated, excited and honoured. The webinar will be open to public for all interested participants to register through an online platform.

Kuwait remains one of the biggest supporters to this cause. As a humanitarian center led by a humanitarian leader, Kuwait continue to Make a Difference with Every Action that Counts.