(November 27, 2024, Kampala) The IGAD Secretariat, Refugee Groups, Refugee Representatives, Member States and Partners have launched the IGAD Refugee Engagement Forum as a platform to promote refugee voices, dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among refugee groups, leadership and refugee-led organizations with diverse stakeholders.
The launch which was held on November 26th – 27th was attended by Refugee representatives and Refugee Groups, Commissioners and technical staff from Refugee Commissions from IGAD Member States as well as UNHCR, development partners and representatives of the donor community.
Representing the IGAD Executive Secretary, Mme Fathia Alwan, the Director, Health and Social Development noted that the launch of the IGAD Refugee Engagement Forum was a historic milestone following IGAD’s commitment to facilitate the meaningful participation and inclusion of refugees in discussions and processes where refugee issues are central during the December 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
She added that the establishment of the forum was a recognition that refugees are active agents of change, capable of contributing to the development of their host communities and their countries of origin.
“By institutionalizing refugee participation at the regional level, IGAD is setting a powerful example of what inclusive governance looks like and reflects IGAD’s commitment to the Nairobi Declaration and Action Plan, which calls for durable solutions and the integration of refugees into national and regional development frameworks.”
Mme Fathia called upon partners to be inclusive while designing policies and programs aimed at comprehensive solutions for the displaced population.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Uganda Country Representative of the Mr. Matthew Crentsil said that the Forum was an important step on the path to durable solutions. He established that activities under the forum would provide opportunities for community-driven sustainability programs that can address challenges such as climate change and food security which affect refugee and host populations alike.
“Refugees are not just beneficiaries of relief; they can be agents of change, leaders, and contributors to the societies they are part of when they are empowered and included in solution domains,” said Mr. Matthews.
“The inclusion of refugee voices in policy making and planning is not just the right thing to do—it is the smart thing to do. Refugees bring firsthand knowledge of their needs, aspirations, and the barriers they face. Their insights are critical to shaping solutions that are both effective, sustainable, and humane.”
On behalf of donors, Ms. Egla Berhane Tsehayi, representing the Head of Regional Development Cooperation, Government of Sweden commended the IGAD Secretariat and Member States’ efforts in building a more sustainable future for both refugees and host communities.
“Sweden believes that by promoting meaningful dialogue, and collaboration between refugees, governments, and development actors, we can achieve better outcomes for refugees and host communities,” Ms. Egla said.
The launch of the Forum follows the November 2023 endorsement by IGAD Member States of the IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection which advocates for a holistic and inclusive approach to refugee protection which was supported under the Towards a Common Regional Mechanism for Refugee Management (CRMRM) project, funded by the Government of Sweden.
The IGAD Refugee Engagement Forum (IGAD REF) will also be a platform for refugees, civil society organizations, governmental bodies, and international partners to engage meaningfully in discussions that shape policies and practices related to refugee protection, integration, peacebuilding and durable solutions.
According to the terms of reference (TORs) that were discussed following the launch, the membership of the forum will be drawn from existing national and sub-national forums and structures withing IGAD member states, while taking into account age, gender and diversity considerations. Where national forums or structures are non-existent, IGAD will provide technical support to establish similar structure, tailored to the national context.
IGAD will serve as a secretariat for the forum while governments, donors, academia, UNHCR and other humanitarian and development partners shall participate as key stakeholders.
Functions and responsibilities established for the regional platform; Enhance the participation and engagement of refugee communities in decision-making processes at local, national, regional and global level; advocate for incentives and investments that encourage voluntary returns and sustainable reintegration; and advocate for policies and practices that protect and support the rights and well-being of refugees.
Other functions of the forum are to, build the capacity of refugees, asylum seekers and returnees to provide feedback and engage effectively with their respective host communities, governments, humanitarian and development partners, and other relevant stakeholders; promote social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities; and champion and advocate for international responsibility sharing through the mobilization of resources and support for refugee response efforts.
Mr. Benjamin Farouk, a Sudanese Refugee living in South Sudan expressed optimism about the forum stating that the forum would be a platform to amplify refugee voices from the communities to a regional and eventually to global platforms.
“It is an important platform that will help in connecting the gaps in channelling refugee issues to policy makers and other interested groups and donors.”
While sharing Uganda’s experience, the Commissioner, Department of Refugees at the Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda, Mr. Patrick Okello said that engaging refugees’ fosters understanding and unity with host communities. He emphasized that when refugees share their stories and contributions, it dispels myths, reduces stigma, and cultivates solidarity and peaceful coexistence.
“In Uganda, we have witnessed local communities rallying to support refugee initiatives, creating shared spaces of cultural exchange and cooperation,” said Mr. Okello.
Uganda was one of the first countries in the world to establish a refugee engagement forum (REF) in 2018 under the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). The IGAD Refugee Engagement Forum learns from and is modelled around the success of the Uganda REF Models, aiming to replicate this at regional level.
The Launch of the IGAD Refugee Engagement Forum is an initiative under the protection and solutions for the displaced persons (PSDP) project, supported by the Government of Sweden.
