KENYA - Building Evidence to Enhance the Welfare of Refugees and Host Communities in Kenya The Kenya Analytical Program on Forced Displacement (KAP-FD) published a new report, Building Evidence to Enhance the Welfare of Refugees and Host Communities in Kenya, which underscores the urgency of addressing the immediate, mid-term, and long-term needs of refugees and host communities. The new report underscores the importance of enhancing service provision, self-reliance, and resilience of refugees as part of a broader strategy to address spatial inequalities in Kenya. Read the report here: https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/110749

New UNHCR household survey unveils alarming suffering for refugees and hosts in South Sudan: A pilot socioeconomic survey carried out by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warns that the ongoing conflict in Sudan is exacerbating the already severe humanitarian crisis in South Sudan for refugees and the communities hosting them. The findings of UNHCR´s first-ever Forced Displacement Survey (FDS) conducted between April and December 2023 on some 3,100 households in South Sudan show that refugee and hosting communities face similar challenges that aggravate protection risks and limit self-reliance opportunities. Results show that those forced to flee to South Sudan often arrive in rural areas with limited basic services, high unemployment rates, lack of education opportunities, poor infrastructure and overcrowded shelters. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/WDymX

The Government of Japan continues supporting UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, through its Supplementary Budget, and Partnership Grant Aid amounting to over USD 4 million, which helps Afghan refugees access health care in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This generous funding will allow UNHCR to enhance access to quality education and healthcare services for Afghan refugees through Iran’s national educational and healthcare systems. Japan has been a leading supporter of UNHCR’s activities in the country for over a decade, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare for refugees. This new funding reaffirms Japan’s continued commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable health services for the most vulnerable Afghan refugees in Iran. It will also support the construction of public schools benefitting both Afghans and Iranians alike. Building on its long-standing partnership, Japan also had provided critical support of USD 1.2 million to UNHCR’s programmes for Afghan refugees in Iran last year, which helped strengthen the national health care system and services for refugees.

On World Refugee Day (20 June 2024), COMPAS will host a launch event for a new World Bank report entitled 'Refugee Employment: Perspectives for Businesses, Policymakers and Intermediaries'. This study analyses why businesses hire refugees before outlining a framework for key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to collaborate to boost refugee employment in host societies. Please register here: https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/event/refugee-employment-perspectives-for-businesses-policymakers-and-intermediaries

African Development Bank reaffirms support for Sudan amid civil conflict: The African Development Bank has reassured Sudan of its continued support in providing humanitarian and economic assistance, while addressing other priority needs amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict. The Bank approved $74 million for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, implemented by the World Food Program, which is enhancing food security and wheat production. This project aims to assist Sudan in becoming a net exporter of wheat in the long run. The Bank has also committed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to support humanitarian and food security efforts for internally displaced persons, refugees, and vulnerable communities. Regionally, the Bank is co-financing a $36.4 million emergency project to support the stabilisation and recovery of refugees and host communities in the Lake Chad Basin. It is also exploring further regional support for the displacement crisis resulting from Sudan's conflict. Read more here: https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-reaffirms-support-sudan-amid-civil-conflict-71038

Call for Papers - The World Bank – UNHCR Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement (JDC) is pleased to announce its 3rd Research Conference on Forced Displacement, organized in collaboration with the African School of Economics (ASE) and the World Bank. To be considered for inclusion on the program, completed papers or extended abstracts should be submitted to jdcconference@worldbank.org by May 15, 2024. Papers and extended abstracts can be submitted either in English or in French, but papers in French should also feature an abstract in English. The papers will be selected by a scientific committee and authors chosen to present papers will be notified by June 15, 2024. Read more here: https://www.jointdatacenter.org/news-and-events/3rd-research-conference-on-forced-displacement/

We are delighted to share with you a collection of the content produced by, and with the participants of GRF 2023. These individuals embody the truest form of resilience, shaped by their lived experience of forced displacement and statelessness. You will find below various resources such liveblogs, podcasts, news stories, and profiles of participants, shedding light the broad range of skills of the GRF 2023 participants here: https://shorturl.at/cdewO

Launch of the UNHCR Climate Resilience Fund: The Fund aims to scale up and direct climate financing and funds to activities and actions to reach those in greatest need and ensure refugees and displaced communities are protected and resilient to the growing impacts of climate change. The initial target is to raise USD 100M by the end of 2025. In line with the objectives and priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan on Climate Action (2024-2030), the Fund will prioritize projects that build local capacities, involve affected communities in design and implementation, and create synergies with national climate strategies and development plans. It will also support our growing efforts in greening our operations, supply chain, and reducing our carbon footprint. The impacts of climate change are only going to become more devastating for the communities we serve, and we look forward to working with partners, as we continue to bring climate solutions to displaced communities and their hosts worldwide. Visit the Fund's page on the Global Focus: https://reporting.unhcr.org/spotlight/climate-action/unhcr-climate-resilience-fund-0

Call for applications - Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity Agribusiness Challenge! We are delighted to share with you the amazing opportunity for young refugee entrepreneurs following the launch of the new Mastercard Foundation funded, KPMG managed, Fund for Resilience and Prosperity (FRP). The FRP is a seven-year, US$ 126 million Fund that aims to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the agriculture, climate adaptation and digital economy sectors in 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa through a competitive Challenge Fund. It will support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that show the potential to create work opportunities for young women and men, young people living with disabilities or refugee youth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Countries in the region targeted by this call include Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Please see https://www.frp.org/ for more info about the Fund and consider to disseminate this opportunity to potential Refugee applicants.

Opportunity alert! 2024 Refugee-led Innovation Fund: The Refugee-led Innovation Fund is currently open to applications from refugee-led organizations in all countries. Applications close 31 May 2024 at 23:59 Panama time. The Fund supports innovation by all organizations led by people with lived experience of forced displacement, including refugees, asylum-seekers, the internally displaced, returnees, and stateless people that are recognized within their communities due to their past significant contributions. Visit our website to find out more about the Funds and access application forms: https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/refugee-led-innovation-fund/