UNHCR, NGO to hold forum on solutions to Africa's forced displacement crisis
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Amahoro Coalition, an NGO, are to convene a forum on solutions to the continent’s forced displacement crisis in the capital of Rwanda Kigali before the end of this year.
Under the theme "36 Million Solutions: Africa Private Sector Forum on Forced Displacement" the forum that will take place from 30 November to 2 December references the number of people forced to flee across the region and the opportunities to invest in their potential.
The Amahoro Coalition is an African-led initiative convening multi-sector actors from across the region to accelerate private sector leadership in driving sustainable market-based interventions that advance economic inclusion for displaced populations.
A statement by UNHCR said the forum comes amidst forced displacement reaching record highs over the past decade, with developing countries bearing the brunt.
It said Africa currently hosts the highest number of people forced to flee in the world – nearly 36 million people out of the more than 84 million forced to flee due to conflict, violence, persecution, and climate change.
"While humanitarian assistance has effectively supported displaced populations in emergencies, a different approach is needed involving new actors, predominantly the private sector, in contributing to sustainable solutions for refugees and displaced persons," the statement said.
“This Forum comes at a critical time where the number of refugees in sub-Saharan Africa has more than tripled in the last ten years,” said Kelly T. Clements, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner.
“UNHCR deeply values private sector partnerships, and we welcome the growing interest for shared-value partnerships with Africa’s private sector to help rebuild the lives of people forced to flee and the communities that host them.”
The statement said guided by the Global Compact on Refugees and the pledges made at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum, the event will bring together Africa’s private sector firms to explore solutions that promote economic inclusion for Africa’s forcibly displaced persons and their host communities.
Alongside private sector leaders, the Forum will bring together refugees and displaced persons, government representatives, and humanitarian actors to actualise a multi-stakeholder Pan-African approach to the displacement crisis.
“Many conversations about Africa happen in rooms without direct representation from the continent,” said Isaac Kwaku Fokuo Jr., Amahoro’s Co-Founder and Leaders Council Member.
“We need an Africa-focused conversation led by its own voices to identify ways in which private sector leaders can use their technical and financial resources to contribute to addressing the displacement crisis. This Forum will mark a significant turning point in the way businesses on the continent engage with humanitarian issues.”
The statement said the inaugural Forum will also showcase the work and contributions of refugees in different communities across sub-Saharan Africa and recognise business leaders actively committed to the economic inclusion of forcibly displaced persons to inspire and increase the engagement of more private sector actors.
The discussions will amplify diverse and often unrepresented voices to develop African-owned solutions that will lead to transformative impact for Africa’s forcibly displaced persons, it added.
-0- PANA MA 29Sept2021
