Tag Archive for: Refugees

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How BOMA Is Building Climate Resilience in Africa’s Drylands

BOMAIn the Samburu region of Kenya, Pamela Lenolnyenje is one of the thousands of nomadic people living in/around the Kirisia Forest. Many such people live in extreme poverty partly due to rising temperatures and the collapse of fragile local ecosystems. However, due to financial training and a $175 grant provided by BOMA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending poverty and mitigating the effects of adverse weather, Lenolnyenje has since gained an income from managing a tree nursery while setting up her shop to sell produce. Likewise, due to intervention by BOMA, destructive land management practices have fallen considerably among the local community.

This is just one example of the work BOMA is doing to combat both environmental degradation and extreme poverty in Africa’s drylands. By combining education with access to capital, BOMA has sought to help vulnerable people escape the trap of climate-induced poverty by improving climate resilience. Refugees, in particular, have formed a primary target group, with sub-Saharan Africa hosting more than a quarter of the world’s refugee population.

The Rural Entrepreneur Access Project

The organization’s Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) strategy has been key to helping vulnerable populations in this way. Through this strategy, BOMA maps the key barriers to overcoming extreme poverty for pastoral families before implementing a series of interventions, including conditional cash transfers and financial training, for two years. However, due to the unique challenges facing Africa’s drylands, a more specialized “Green REAP” strategy is now used to tackle the twin crises of environmental collapse and extreme poverty.

The Green Reap Project

While environmental issues may appear of secondary concern to those facing extreme poverty, the sustainable management of scarce resources and fragile ecosystems can, in fact, considerably reduce poverty levels. Improving communities’ resilience to the impacts of changing climatic conditions, flood control, water filtration and other issues is crucial for sustainable development. Thus, BOMA, alongside its partners, provides funding and training to help people set up small, environmentally-friendly enterprises, which also help to conserve local ecosystems, such as the tree nursery discussed earlier.

One example of this Green REAP approach in action is the LIFT project in Northern Kenya, established in 2023. The project aims to improve opportunities for 15,600 women, young people and refugees by helping these people build and sustain 3,650 small enterprises. Of these 15,600 LIFT participants, approximately 30% of them come from in and around the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement, thus underlining BOMA’s commitment to refugees.

Impact

A 2016 study found that BOMA’s model resulted in a 147% increase in income for participants, alongside a 14,000% increase in savings and a 63% decrease in the number of children going to bed hungry. The Green REAP pilot scheme similarly indicated that 60% of participants shifted away from destructive practices such as charcoal harvesting, demonstrating Green REAP’s impact on climate resilience.

Final Remark

Ultimately, BOMA’s estimates indicate that more than 93,000 people in Kenya will benefit directly or indirectly from the LIFT project in the next two years. However, as the earth’s average temperature continues to ravage the drylands of Africa and trap many in positions of extreme poverty, the need for programs like this remains as high as ever. Thus, only through the incredible work of charities like BOMA can extreme poverty truly be eliminated from the African continent.

– Ben Evans

Ben is based in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need to Know about Poverty in Tibet

Poverty in TibetTibet, known as the “roof of the world,” is a remote territory under China’s rule that lies north of the Himalayas and southwest of China. The region is home to 3.6 million, and many Tibetans earn less than $100 per year, unable to afford basic fruits and vegetables, with many relying solely on barley dumplings to survive. There are 628,000 Tibetans registered as poor who have been uplifted from poverty, as of late 2019. The Chinese government has allocated around 75 billion Chinese Yuan ($15.3 billion) to poverty alleviation, which led to China in 2020 declaring a “major victory” in eradicating extreme poverty in Tibet — all of Tibet’s 74 counties are no longer “poverty-stricken,” according to the Chinese government. Here’s everything you need to know about poverty in Tibet.

China’s Poverty Alleviation Tactics in Tibet

China’s mission to alleviate poverty in Tibet is synonymous with modernizing the region. Some poor Tibetans now own cars in Tibet, according to ThinkChina, with paved expressways and a billboard advertising a “Westernised” café amid the Himalayan mountains. Some young Tibetans own cell phones and dream of “leaving the mountains and plains” to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, or to mainland China, ThinkChina says.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) reported that China’s efforts are a “scheme” that the government carries out under the guise of poverty alleviation. The economic gain from China’s poverty alleviation mission has come at a large cost to rural Tibetans and their culture. The Chinese government has relocated Tibetan nomads and farmers en masse from poverty-stricken areas to other locations in Tibet or China, forcing them into military training and factory labor.

China also seeks to eliminate what it calls the “harmful influence” of Buddhism and change Tibetans’ “way of thinking” by way of “re-education,” according to the CTA. U.N. experts are “very disturbed” that around a million Tibetan children face seemingly forced cultural, religious and linguistic assimilation into the majority Han culture, the U.N. reported in February 2023.

Forced Evictions and Relocations

In May 2024, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that 500 Tibetan villages with more than 140,000 residents have faced or are currently facing forced eviction and relocation. When individual households are relocated, poorer households are often selected — between 2016 and 2020, 567,000 people were relocated under this program by the government. These relocations are “severely eroding Tibetan culture and ways of life,” HRW’s China director Maya Wang said.

The Chinese government states that the goal of resettling Tibet’s poorest into urban areas is to improve their housing conditions, health care and education. However, the government’s mission left many of those resettled living in poverty in urban areas, according to the United States Department of State.

Despite China’s occupation, many Tibetans’ alliances continue to lie with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who created a nonprofit organization working for the welfare of destitute Tibetans.

14th Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Relief Committee

Tibet used to be an independent region — in the 1950s, China forcibly claimed Tibet, destroying many Buddhist monasteries and killing thousands. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama fled to northern India, along with around 80,000 refugees, according to BBC. In 1994, he established the Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) in India.

The CTRC’s main objective is to rehabilitate and settle Tibetan refugees, as well as uplift the poor and make the Tibetan settlement “viable and sustainable,” according to its website. One of its primary initiatives is to “take care of genuinely poor and destitute elders who have no one to take care of them.” The CTRC has built more than 14 homes and accommodates more than 500 Tibetan elders, as of 2020.

“The awesome power that economic institutions have acquired in our society, and the distressing effects that poverty continues to wreak, should make all of us look for means of transforming our economy into one based on compassion,” His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama wrote in 2008.

Chinese government claims it has lifted Tibet out of extreme poverty, however, the CTA, the U.N. and HRW dispute this claim. China’s poverty alleviation tactics may have diminished Tibet’s poverty in an economic sense, but individual Tibetans often remain impoverished, with their traditional culture stripped away. Human rights groups and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama continue to look out for poor Tibetans, ensuring proper poverty relief.

– Ahna Fleming

Ahna is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Benefits of Supporting Refugee Students in Luxembourg

Refugee Students in LuxembourgFamous for its education programs, Luxembourg is among the best countries in which children can receive an education. From ages 4 to 16, education is compulsory and paid for by the government. The Luxembourg government pays for education to give younger people every opportunity to integrate into society, including children from immigrant families. Refugee students and asylum seekers are accustomed to receiving fully paid education upon their arrival in the country; institutions like the University of Luxembourg provide full-time services.

Refugees in Luxembourg

As of 2022, 11,952 refugees lived in Luxembourg. Among the many, these refugees arrive from countries such as Ukraine, India and Brazil, which are known to be home to corrupt officials and violent groups. Given circumstances such as the Russo-Ukrainian War and adverse climatic conditions globally, the benefits of refugees receiving an education that can help grow and develop a nation or build advocates to defend their homes are phenomenal.

Quality education has many advantages for refugee students in Luxembourg, including strengthening their ability to contribute to the host country’s economy and promoting a sustainable return to and reconstruction of their countries of origin. Luxembourg recognizes two categories of international protection status: refugee and subsidiary. Both of these categories grant their children a good education for their future status as citizens of Luxembourg and the country of origin. Education helps create a safe and stable environment for children and allows graduates to rebuild their countries and pursue productive, meaningful lives.

A Cosmopolitan of Educational Effort

Schools like the University of Luxembourg offer a more flexible and diverse learning environment. Every child is given a chance to succeed and the government focuses on diversifying school typing made available by educational programs to fit different profiles. The diversity of Luxembourg’s efforts can be seen as a learning growth and well-being, including children of different origins and cultures helps to build a structured system that allows them to benefit each other by sharing and discussing various ideas that can lead to a beneficial solution for everyone in a group setting or even an entire classroom. Initiatives such as the Diversity Charter help private and public schools reap the benefit of diversity by including outsiders and strengthening local cohesion.

Graduates Build a Better Future

Graduates will seek a way to live in a stable environment after school. Higher education and skills are a critical link between learning and earning. Young people who thrive and transition to pursue a sustainable future seek investment in abilities to strengthen protection and support efforts for their country of origin and build participation efforts for the benefit of their communities.

All students can benefit from a more prosperous academic program, enhanced social cohesion and resources that will develop into improved outcomes. Outcomes like social assistance are an excellent service for a graduate as they help deliver accommodations such as vouchers (EUR 225), health costs, social counseling and guidance for other refugees entering a new country.

Development of a Strong Economy

Once graduates finish school, quality education can lead to higher incomes, self-sufficiency and reduced aid dependency. The strengthened ability of refugee graduates helps contribute to the host country’s economies. It promotes a sustainable return to and reconstruction of countries of origin.

The underlying idea in economic thinking about education is that investing in individuals’ skills and knowledge increases their productivity in the workforce. Refugee graduates demonstrate this by enhancing societal standards by contributing their skills and participating in activities that help strengthen the economic framework of nations like Luxembourg, thus giving back to the community they have resettled in.

Without liquidity constraints, individuals could enlarge their resources by investing in the necessary educational activities up to the point that the cost of capital acquisition balances expected returns.

Equal Opportunities for Women and Children to Learn

Inclusion in European schools is a challenging task for young women and children due to cultural beliefs and systems that frown on certain members of the community going to school. Cultural standards are not the only issue with inclusion because of the protracted nature and scale of displacement. Refugee situations tend to last for years or even decades and these two groups will spend their school years in displacement.

When refugee women and children are included in national school systems, it is more likely to stem from formal accreditation and recognition of qualifications. This makes it easier for refugees to gain education, which also promotes social cohesion with host communities and improves equity in the educational outcomes of refugees and host communities.

Improved advocacy efforts for future refugees and asylum seekers: For future generations to arrive in countries like Luxembourg, it is crucial to have others speak for their rights and lives without fear or discrimination from groups that do not seem fond of allowing refugees or asylum seekers in their own country.

Students who enroll in programs focusing on human rights and programming will work toward protecting members of their community, such as by supporting the Red Cross migrant and refugee services. These services aim to care for migrants dealing with health issues, provide special needs services and protect victims of violence or trafficking.

Conclusion

Luxembourg is a country that welcomes those in need; it actively implores newcomers to pursue a better life away from the past and start a new beginning. Refugees and asylum seekers are not exempted from these benefits and the future of those depends on how education can impact the next generation living in a foreign country. As other European nations also welcome newcomers into their borders, Luxembourg remains one of the most educated European nations. Those who enter institutes in Luxembourg, both citizens and refugee students, seek to generate a better future.

– Jacob Barker

Jacob is based in Ames, IA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Rwanda Bill and Its Impact on People Seeking Asylum in the UK

Rwanda Bill and Its Impact on People Seeking Asylum in the UKOn April 22, 2022, the United Kingdom (U.K.) government proposed deporting people seeking asylum to Rwanda. Over the past two years, various groups including the United Nations (U.N.) refugee council, political opposition, some government members and the British public have expressed concerns. The European Court of Human Rights halted the initial deportation flight in 2022, pending a U.K. judicial review. The House of Commons recently endorsed the plan nearly two years after its introduction. The government asserts the bill aims to prevent dangerous, unlawful journeys to the U.K. and to undermine the operations of human traffickers exploiting vulnerable individuals.

Asylum Applications and International Rights

In the U.K., 75% of asylum applications result in the granting of the right to remain, illustrating the urgent need for safety that many people seeking asylum genuinely require, a fact often overlooked in public discourse. An asylum seeker is someone who has not yet received legal refugee status in another country and is awaiting a decision on their application. These individuals leave their home countries to escape persecution and severe human rights abuses. Despite derogatory terms such as “illegal immigrant” or “bogus cause” used against people seeking asylum, it remains a recognized international human right to apply for asylum in any country that is a signatory to the 1951 Convention.

Concerns and Consequences of the New Legislation

Under the new legislation, individuals transferred to Rwanda who later gain refugee or humanitarian status will not be permitted to enter the U.K. and must remain in Rwanda. The Refugee Council has issued a new report warning that these plans could lead to a catastrophic system failure, potentially leaving more than 100,000 people in a state of permanent uncertainty and costing taxpayers approximately £6.2 billion annually.

Organizations such as the UNHCR have expressed concerns about externalizing asylum obligations, citing risks of refoulement and a shift in responsibility for those potentially sent to Rwanda. Regarding the individuals earmarked for extradition to Rwanda, out of the 5,700 Rwanda has tentatively agreed to accept, only 2,143 are currently reporting to the U.K. Home Office and are locatable for detention.

People seeking asylum who arrive in the country often know no one. This isolation, coupled with fears of deportation to Rwanda, leads many to disappear, placing them in a highly vulnerable situation. Consequently, they face an increased risk of falling victim to crimes such as sexual exploitation and slavery.

Critical Response from Charities and Legal Advisors

Charities across the U.K. are actively opposing government actions, offering crucial information and ongoing support to people seeking asylum. Collectively, more than 250 charities have united to sign an open letter criticizing the government’s bill, arguing that it contravenes international obligations and diminishes the judiciary’s role in safeguarding human rights. Additionally, the letter criticizes the bill for neglecting the U.K.’s commitment to global responsibility for protecting those forced to seek refuge.

Refugee Action, one of the charities involved, actively supports refugees and those seeking asylum in the U.K. while also educating the public on the realities of being a refugee. This effort counters negative stereotypes often perpetuated by mainstream media. Through fundraising initiatives, the organization has secured more than £10 million for English language classes for refugees. Additionally, its advocacy includes the “Lift the Ban” campaign, which advocates outside Parliament for the right of asylum seekers to work, highlighting the challenge of surviving on just £6 a day.

Central England Law Centre

The Central England Law Centre provides free specialist legal advice to those most in need and utilizes legal processes to combat inequality. It expresses concern that the new law “would enable the Government to forcibly expel people seeking asylum—including children and survivors of trafficking and modern slavery—despite concerns they could be put at grave risk of harm and human rights abuses.” This is particularly troubling given that 41% of refugees are children, highlighting the law’s potential impact on vulnerable groups. As an independent and politically neutral entity, the Central England Law Centre ensures that all legal advice strives for clarity and justice, prioritizing the U.K.’s most vulnerable individuals.

The Broad Impact and Ongoing Support

People seeking asylum are now at greater risk than ever before. The overwhelming international support underscores the need to uphold the 1951 Refugee Convention to protect their rights. Regardless of the Rwanda policy, this situation underscores the peril faced by individuals forced to flee their homes and the controversy it stirs among those in power who are otherwise secure. Safety should not be debated; it is a fundamental right guaranteed by the 1951 Refugee Convention, which all signatories, including the U.K., are obligated to honor.

Looking Ahead

The U.K. government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda has generated significant controversy and concern from international bodies, legal experts and the public. As the policy moves forward, its implications for the rights and safety of asylum seekers could remain a critical focus. Charities and legal organizations continue to advocate for the protection of vulnerable individuals, emphasizing the need to uphold international human rights commitments.

– Kathryn Dodd

Kathryn Dodd is based in the UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Charities in England You May Not Know About

Charities in EnglandNongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or charities play important roles in the fight against poverty worldwide. NGOs work directly with local communities, providing targeted support to the most vulnerable populations.

In the United Kingdom (U.K.), where 22% of the population experienced poverty in 2021/2022, charities are essential partners in the fight against poverty, complementing government efforts and driving sustainable changes. Here are five charities in England and the wider U.K. that you may not know about:

Greggs Foundation

The Greggs Foundation focuses on setting up breakfast clubs across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Supported by local businesses, these clubs provide fun and food to children before their school day. The foundation has set up 900, helping to feed more than 62,000 children daily. The work it does enables children to face a day of learning with a nutritious breakfast, allowing them to focus on expanding their knowledge.

British Gas Energy Trust

Best known for fueling the nation, quite literally, British Gas also has an energy trust that aims to alleviate fuel poverty. With the cost-of-living crisis, energy bills have soared for many families, meaning people increasingly have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. The energy trust, however, aims to offer support and provide grants for those who are facing this issue. So far, the trust has helped 700,000 people through its grants and schemes.

Refugee Action

Focusing on refugees and migrants, Refugee Action is a U.K.-based organization that aims to fight for better living conditions for those seeking asylum. Centered around a collaborative and inclusive approach, the charity aims to support and advise those entering the U.K. With an ambitious approach, the organization seeks to improve the prospects for all refugees. In 2023, the charity helped 3,000 people and resettled 1,700 refugees, making the work it does vital.

Together Women

Together Women is another of the charities in England but is mainly concentrated in the northern part of the country. Its key target is women who may be vulnerable to entering the criminal justice system. Additionally, the charity aims to support those who are at risk of homelessness. The goals that its centers achieve through support groups and courses are crucial. By supporting at-risk women, the life prospects for those most in need are heightened.

Turn2us

Turn2us has been operating for more than 125 years and provides support for those facing financial insecurity. Its key aim is to support older adults who may be facing poverty through its nine care homes situated across the U.K. The charity also provides key grants to those who are at risk of greater financial insecurity.

– Sarah Littleton

Sarah is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Refugee Employment Programs in Jordan

Refugee Employment Programs in JordanJordan is home to more than 700,000 refugees of different nationalities, including Syrians and Palestinians. In response to the refugee crisis, Jordan has implemented several programs to address the employment needs of its refugee populations. The Jordanian government has recognized the urgent need to integrate refugees into the labor market. Therefore, in collaboration with international organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), it has introduced a range of customized refugee employment programs in Jordan.

​​Jordan Compact

This landmark deal, concluded in 2016 between Jordan and the international community, aims to create jobs for Jordanians and Syrian refugees. The Compact aims to spur economic growth that will eventually generate jobs through instruments such as preferential trade access and financial assistance. A World Bank study cited the role of the Compact in economic resilience and improving the livelihood of refugees and the communities hosting them. 

Cash for Work Programs

Cash for Work programs by agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Mercy Corps entail the short-term employment of refugees in sectors that include agriculture, construction and infrastructure development. Apart from offering a source of income to the refugees, the programs provide back-to-community development initiatives. The International Labor Organization (ILO) believes that cash-for-work programs have helped and they continue to have a huge impact on poverty alleviation and the promotion of social cohesion. 

Vocational Training and Skill Development

Since skill development is an important factor in refugees’ employability, Jordan has taken steps to increase investments in vocational training programs. Programs such as the Vocational Training and Employment Services for Syrian Refugees within the Jordan Compact help provide refugees with market-relevant skills that will be relevant in their labor markets. According to a UNHCR study, vocational training facilitates integration and self-reliance for refugees. 

Challenges and Opportunities

The challenges persist, even though the programs of Jordanian refugee employment are making some strides. Other main barriers to the integration of refugees relate to limited access to formal employment opportunities, legal restrictions on the employment of refugees and competition with hosts. The economic shock from COVID-19 will exacerbate the existing vulnerabilities, so sustained support and investment in refugee livelihoods will be crucial.

Employment programming for refugees in Jordan has been one of the most crucial steps toward meeting economic and social needs among displaced populations. These programs not only reduce the poverty burden among the refugees by providing access to employment but also socially integrate them into the Jordanian community. Continuous efforts in this regard will help overcome the prevailing challenges and ensure long-term refugee livelihoods.

– Honorine Lanka Perera

Honorine is based in Highland, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How the Poetry Project Is Platforming Young Refugees in Berlin

Poetry ProjectWhen hundreds of thousands of refugees arrived in Germany in 2015/16, including many unaccompanied minors, SPIEGEL foreign correspondent Susanne Koelbl wondered about the stories of these young people. Having reported from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia for many years, she has experienced poetry’s power as a common form of storytelling.

Inspired by its beauty, Koelbl teamed up with Afghan-born lawyer and translator Aarash D. Spanta and a United Nations (U.N). adviser Andreas Jödecke to create a space for poetry in Berlin, hoping that they may be able to encourage young Farsi-speaking refugees to find their voices and tell their stories. The effort was an undeniable success.

The young men who attended (primarily young men were sent on the journey to Europe unattended) wrote of their trip in poems which were published later that year in an anthology that resulted in several writers performing their writing at Berlin’s 16th International Literary Festival (ilb). The Poetry Project met with The Borgen Project to give further insight into its work, mission and future plans.

How and Why Poetry Works

When organizing opportunities for the young refugees to write poetry, “we’re really thinking, how can we build connections?” Theresa Rüger told The Borgen Project. Rüger herself is a literature scholar who stumbled upon The Poetry Project at the ilb. Seeing the poems displayed in the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, she was inspired and applied to be a part of it. She explains that the workshops allow young people to tell their stories, meet others and build connections.

The inspiration to use poetry as a medium came from Koelbl’s encounters with poetry in countries such as Afghanistan. Rüger describes Koelbl’s joy as everyone from cab drivers to dinner hosts took the opportunity to share their own poetry, recite traditional poetry and use poetry to convey emotion where regular conversation failed. Searching for a medium to express the young refugees’ experiences, Koelbl decided poetry could be the answer she sought. In many countries, Rüger explains, poetry is close to the present, allowing it to weave in and out of everyday conversation. Perhaps due to this poetic connection, the young people working with The Poetry Project found that their emotions and stories flowed easily into this medium.

There’s another reason, however, that poetry fits so well to express the complex emotions and experiences at play here. “Sometimes the young people are afraid that their audience won’t be able to deal with [their stories],” Rüger explains, “or that they’re going to ask questions that they don’t want to answer.” Poetry introduces a degree of separation between reader and writer, allowing the refugees to get their story out there while retaining a comfortable distance from their audience.

Expansion

Today, The Poetry Project has expanded to include workshops in four languages: Farsi, Arabic, Ukrainian and Kurdish. Work is also translated into English and German. Workshops are held in the same room in the Project’s main office in Berlin, Rüger informs me and take place every weekend, with an additional drop-in session on Wednesday afternoons. This session, Theresa explains, can be used as a time to “just drop by if they want to write or just to talk to us.” In short, it is another opportunity for social connections to be forged and for trust to be built. Like the weekend workshops, attendance at the Wednesday sessions isn’t mandated. Instead, young people are free to invest as much time as makes them feel comfortable.

Spreading the Word

The young people involved in The Poetry Project don’t limit their words to the page. More than 10 readings are organized annually and young poets are frequently invited to speak at literary institutions in readings that impress the audience deeply. The performances “differ from your regular reading where you have a professional author. It feels more immediate.” Emotions run high in audiences facing “very young people” speaking of such harsh experiences and “often people cry.”

The readings’ most impactful are those delivered to the young poets’ peers: school children whose lives match the refugees’ perfectly in years but differ vastly in lived experience. Rüger tells of school assembly halls echoing with the jokes of 150 teenagers, raucous and reluctant to sit quietly for their teachers. But when the young poets come out on stage and begin to read, she says, “You could hear a pin drop.”

The awe and enthusiasm were verified by the school-age audience at the International Literary Festival Berlin, where students lined up to spend their “pocket money” on The Poetry Project’s first anthology after sitting spellbound through the reading. They even requested that the readers sign their individual copies.

Looking Forward

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, Rüger describes how The Poetry Project has many projects, readings and events that will continue to spread its message and be a platform for young refugee voices. The Project has scheduled a collaborative performance with a dance group, the publication of a new anthology and a partnership with PEN Berlin – a writer’s association that specializes in supporting persecuted authors to come to Germany and establish themselves in the German publishing scene.

PEN Berlin also organizes additional workshops “held by professional authors who share a mother tongue with the participants.” In addition, The Poetry Project has planned participation in the event series “75 Jahre Grundgesetz – intersektional” from the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. Through the event series, The Poetry Project will join the discussion of Germany’s Basic Law from a “diversity-oriented, intersectional perspective,” adding its poetry to the debate on how the law relates to “marginalized and discrimination-affected groups.”

The Poetry Project has established itself as a center that works tirelessly to build connection, understanding and empathy. It provides opportunities for young refugees to foster a sense of belonging and to get their stories heard – all while helping those who grew up in Germany gain a more robust understanding of what refugees have experienced. Its methodology is simple – pass the mic to those who’ve been through it.

– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr

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Supporting North Korean Defectors: 5 South Korean Charities

Supporting North Korean Defectors: 5 South Korean CharitiesIn North Korea, under the rule of Kim Jong-Un, the country stands as one of the world’s most repressive nations, where the government prioritizes collective interests over individual freedoms. Basic rights and freedoms are severely restricted, with citizens lacking access to what many consider everyday freedoms, including the choice of hairstyles, access to Western television, computers, phones and the enjoyment of foreign music. However, South Korean charities play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, offering support to those who manage to escape this oppressive environment.

Unfortunately, North Koreans caught engaging in activities deemed illegal, face imprisonment or even execution in public. Since the death of Kim Il-Sung from 1994 to 1998, a period referred to as “The Arduous March,” many citizens have suffered from malnutrition and health issues.

The Journey of North Korean Defectors

Many North Koreans face a daunting choice to defect in pursuit of a better life, risking immediate death if caught using secret escape routes. Hence, some resort to bribing brokers for assistance in crossing the Yalu River, yet even with such help, evading capture along the border remains uncertain.

Furthermore, those who escape to South Korea and seek asylum consider themselves fortunate, yet they encounter challenges adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. Defectors gain the freedom to listen to music, watch movies and make life choices not dictated by their previous government. However, navigating these changes proves difficult and stressful, particularly for individuals who flee alone, without the support of family or friends.

Following are five South Korean charities that focus on aiding North Korean defectors in starting anew.

Hanawon

A prominent resettlement center for North Korean defectors, often compared to a mix between a halfway house and a trade school, opened its doors in 1999 with funding from Korea’s Ministry of Unification. At Hanawon, defectors undergo a 12-week program where they learn essential skills like using ATMs and navigating banks, grocery stores and public transport. Raised in an atheistic environment where religious materials were banned to ensure allegiance to their leader, North Korean defectors at Hanawon receive visits from volunteers across various faiths—Buddhist, Catholic, Christian—who introduce them to religious beliefs and practices, offering services for those interested in exploring newfound religious freedom.

Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR)

Moreover, a Seoul-based nongovernmental organization specializes in teaching English to North Koreans. Teach North Korean Refugees commits to aiding refugees through one-on-one tutoring, speech competitions and mentoring for employment and educational opportunities. Consequently, it equips North Korean refugees with the skills to thrive in any setting where English is the primary language.

People for Successful Corean Reunification (PSCORE)

A nonprofit, nongovernmental organization located in Seoul actively promotes human rights in North Korea. It offers English classes and tutoring programs for North Korean defectors, emphasizing its global mission to advocate for North Korean human rights. The organization states, “Our global mission revolves around advocacy for North Korean human rights, with a core focus on empowerment through education and tutoring programs.”

Liberty in North Korea

An international nongovernmental organization focuses on aiding North Korean refugees in adjusting to their new lives. Liberty in North Korea achieves success in its resettlement program by fostering self-efficacy. The organization pairs newly arrived North Korean refugees with resettled North Koreans as role models. These mentors offer advice and encouragement on managing stress and trauma, providing relatable support from someone who has faced similar challenges, thus facilitating growth and adaptation.

Saejowi

A nonreligious, nonprofit organization in South Korea specializes in refugee counseling licensing and documenting the medical needs of North Korean refugees. Reports indicate that “90% of North Korean refugees arrive with untreated physical illnesses and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” However, Saejowi supports North Korean refugees who wish to become counselors for their peers by offering classes to develop and practice counseling skills. Consequently, more than 220 counselors have received licenses, enabling them to provide counseling to fellow refugees.

Looking Ahead

These five South Korean charities are diligently working to help North Korean defectors adjust to their new lives, emphasizing self-care and the importance of recognizing their worth. These organizations assist defectors in discovering their passions and deciding on future pursuits. In addition, by offering safety and protection, South Korean charities support defectors through the process of change, acknowledging that while change can be exhilarating, it can also be daunting.

– Nevin Guler
Photo: Unsplash

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Human Traffickers Thrive Amid Global Conflict

Human TraffickersThere are several reasons why people flee their home countries. War, persecution, climate disaster, hunger and extreme poverty all create circumstances that encourage people to seek out a better, more stable life. UNHCR noted more than 110 million forcibly displaced persons by the end of 2023. Human traffickers thrive amid global conflict, preying on displaced and vulnerable refugees. In a new host country, refugees may not be familiar with the legal system or language and are unlikely to have stable housing or income. The overwhelming majority of refugees reside within camps, with limited educational or job opportunities. Many are unable to gain legal status in their host country and are therefore unable to make an income.

Human Traffickers’ Tactics

Traffickers take advantage of vulnerabilities, particularly situations of poverty, using deceptive tactics to lure refugees into fraudulent travel and employment arrangements. For example, women and girls are commonly presented with vague job opportunities, with the promise of financial stability, only to be sold, trafficked and abused. Smugglers who promise refugees a safe journey and admittance into host countries, often turn around and demand more money. With little to no money to give, it is not uncommon for smugglers to exploit displaced individuals through sex trafficking.

Women and Children at Risk

Displaced children become vulnerable to child marriage and sex trafficking in exchange for food or clothes. Syrian children are often subject to child marriage, including to members of various terrorist organizations. These arrangements can lead to sexual slavery and forced labor. Similar reports of Afghan girls forced into arranged marriages have existed since the Taliban takeover. It is not uncommon for Afghan girls to face further exploitation in sex trafficking by their new husbands.

Romania has received more than 80,000 Ukrainian refugees since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. In a World Vision survey in Romania, 97% of participants had heard of instances of human trafficking. Over half of these people have identified women as the most at-risk population.

According to the International Rescue Committee, by the end of 2022, 52% of all global refugees came from three countries; Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. All three of these countries are struggling with conflicts and authoritarianism. Conflict weakens a country’s political stability, hence increasing economic vulnerabilities. To properly address and shut down human traffickers thriving amidst global conflict, greater awareness surrounding authoritarian government structures is necessary.

Taking Action Against Human Trafficking

The Global Protection Cluster (GPC) is a “network of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations and U.N. agencies, engaged in protection work in humanitarian crises including armed conflict and disasters.”

The GPC, in terms of human trafficking, aims to ensure that partners and governments tasked with protecting people from trafficking are well-equipped to handle the task. It created the Task Team on Anti-Trafficking in Humanitarian Action in 2017. The Task Team is co-led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR.  Task Team members include InterAction, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and other major humanitarian organizations.

– Sophia Loizos
Photo: Flickr

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Project Reconnect Connecting Refugees Using Chromebooks

Project ReconnectRefugees who fled to Germany from mostly Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Albania, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kosovo, Eritrea and Iran, received a total of 25,952 Chromebooks, from 50 different grant organizations between 2015 and 2017. These grant organizations were supported through Project Reconnect which received funding from Google’s $5.3 million dollar grant and support from the Google Engineering Center in Munich and NetHope. They provided refugees with access to critical resources such as German language classes, access to obtain jobs and to communicate with family and friends.

What the Chromebooks Were Used For

A survey conducted among refugees concluded that 53% of the refugees mostly use the Chromebooks for educational purposes. Furthermore, this survey finds 19% of refugees mostly do research on ways to better their health, housing, refugee status and on other critical needs. Another 19% of the refugees mainly used the Chromebooks to entertain themselves, browse through Facebook, watch videos and do other fun activities. About 18% of refugees used the Chromebook to communicate with people. Furthermore, 17% of the refugees used the Chromebook to look for and get a job or jobs. Additionally, a survey found that 86% of the refugees have found the Chromebooks helped them to receive an education, get a job, do important research to improve their lives or communicate with people.

The Most Impactful Grant Organizations Involved

There were 50 grant organizations involved. However, only five grant organizations were granted with a number between 1,000 and 3,500. This list includes the following grant organizations: Asylplus e.V., Internationaler Bund (IB) Freir Träger der Jugend-, Sozial- und Bildungsarbeit e.V., Kolpingwerk Deutschland gGmbH/ Kolping-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete, Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V. and VHS-Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e. V.

Project Reconnect Demographics in 2017

As of June 2017, about two months before Project Reconnect ended, according to a survey, the percentages of refugees using the Chromebooks are as follows: 39% for 20-29 year olds, 10% for refugees under age 15 and 2% for ages 60 and above. 25% of the refugees fled Syria, 12% of the refugees escaped Afghanistan, 10% of the refugees escaped Iraq, 7% fled Eritrea, 4% were forced out of Nigeria and 4% had to flee from Iran, among a few other countries. The percentage of women who were involved in this survey is slightly above 30%.

An Anecdote From a Refugee About How the Chromebook Changed Their Life

An Iraqi refugee, who used the made-up name Samer to protect their identity, said they had been a refugee in Germany for two years and seven months. They conveyed they are a member of a study group which utilizes the Chromebooks at a library in Bogenhausen Germany. In this study group, they were able to take all of their language tests and complete the course which prepares them to integrate themselves in Germany.

– Rachael Weiser 
Photo: Unsplash