June 20, 2023 (DJIBOUTI, Republic of Djibouti): The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), colorfully commemorates World Refugee Day, in a special event under the theme for this year’s “Hope Away from Home,” today, in Djibouti.
Madam Fathia Alwan, IGAD, Director for Health and Social Development , honourable delegates, representatives of society and others invited distinguished guests attended the celebration.
IGAD, Director for Health and Social Development during her opening remark, welcomed the guests and participants of the event and explained that currently, the East and Horn of Africa region hosts close to 20 million displaced persons, comprising more than 5 million refugees and over 14 million internally displaced persons.
“Today, we gather here to commemorate World Refugee Day, a day that calls for global attention and action on one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time. We are here to highlight the resilience and courage of refugees and asylum seekers who have been forced to flee their homes in the East and Horn of Africa and to reaffirm our commitment to providing hope away from home.” She added.
As IGAD gear up for the 2nd Global Refugee Forum in December 2023, Madam Fathia urged the international community to show solidarity with IGAD and Djibouti by providing matching pledges and flexible sources of financing to alleviate the pressure on host states.
Children and youths presented various shows.
World Refugee Day “Hope Away from Home”
Speech by Madam Fathia Alwan, IGAD, Director for Health and Social Development
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished guests,
Honourable delegates,
Today, we gather here to commemorate World Refugee Day, a day that calls for global attention and action on one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time. We are here to highlight the resilience and courage of refugees and asylum seekers who have been forced to flee their homes in the East and Horn of Africa and to reaffirm our commitment to providing hope away from home.
The East and Horn of Africa region has long been a home to diverse cultures, languages, and histories. It is a region that has experienced its share of conflicts, political unrest, and environmental challenges. Currently, the region hosts close to 20 million displaced persons, comprising more than 5 million refugees and over 14 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Majority of these displacements are protracted, lasting over 15 years. Despite the hardships they face, refugees across the region have shown remarkable strength and resilience.
As we reflect on the theme for this year’s World Refugee Day, “Hope Away from Home,” it is important to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices and challenges faced by refugees. These individuals have been uprooted from their familiar surroundings, leaving behind their communities, livelihoods, and often even their loved ones. They have had to embark on perilous journeys, crossing borders and enduring hardships in their search for safety and protection.
Despite these hardships, refugees have not lost hope. They carry within them the resilience to rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities. They are not just recipients of aid; they are agents of change, capable of positively impacting their host communities. For example, in Djibouti, Yemeni refugees have made remarkable contributions to entrepreneurship and the real estate sector.
It is incumbent upon us, to recognize and support the aspirations of refugees. We must provide them with the necessary resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives, access education and healthcare, and contribute to the economic and social fabric of their host communities. By investing in their potential, we invest in a more inclusive, prosperous, and resilient future for all.
Providing hope away from home requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. It necessitates the collaboration of governments, civil society organizations, humanitarian agencies, and host communities. We must work together to ensure that refugees are protected, their basic needs are met, and their rights are upheld.
Since 2017, IGAD Member States have pursued a regional approach to finding durable solutions for displaced populations and their host communities. This approach recognizes the regional nature of impacts and solutions to displacement, aiming for strengthened regional integration and cooperation.
Considerable progress has been made over the last few years across various thematic areas. The Djibouti Declaration and plan of action on Refugee Education, the Kampala Declaration on Jobs, Livelihoods, and Self-Reliance for refugees, returnees, and host communities, as well as the integration of cross-border and mobile populations in country health programming, are examples of achievements. These initiatives have strived to integrate refugees into national planning systems, address the needs of internally displaced populations (IDPs), and promote a whole-of-society approach in pursuing durable solutions.
While these efforts are commendable, resource constraints, be they technical, financial, or political, remain a critical challenge in translating commitments and initiatives into tangible outcomes for affected populations.
All IGAD member states are facing financial limitations to implement different commitments and initiatives, further intensified by the ever-increasing displacement figures and the reinforced drivers of displacement, such as drought and climate change.
As we gear up for the 2nd Global Refugee Forum in December 2023, I urge the international community to show solidarity with IGAD and Djibouti by providing matching pledges and flexible sources of financing to alleviate the pressure on host states.
In conclusion, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of refugees. Let us recognize their resilience and potential. Let us foster an environment of inclusion and compassion, where refugees are welcomed, and their contributions are valued. By doing so, we can build a future where hope thrives, even away from home.
Thank you.
