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Dispatches No. 231
Up | February 15, 2008
REFUGEE NEWS BRIEFINGS
UPDATES ON JRS PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
REFUGEE NEWS BRIEFINGS
KENYA: MEDIATION TALKS AND VIOLENCE CONTINUE IN TANDEM
"Despite ongoing mediation talks between the government (PNU) and the opposition, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), violence and destruction continues. Attacks in the Western Province continue to provoke retaliatory acts in other parts of the country, including Naivasha and the outskirts of Nairobi", Anne Peeters, JRS EA Regional Policy & Advocacy Officer, told Dispatches.
On 11 February, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who has been acting as a mediator between the opposing groups, called for a news blackout and urged the parties not to discuss issues under negotiation with anyone outside the negotiating room. Annan has chided the media for speculation and officials on both sides for leaking details of a possible power-sharing deal.
Meanwhile, many JRS staff have included the plight of IDPs into their projects.
Six refugees trained as counsellors in Kakuma camp in northern Kenya travelled to Kitale in the Western Province to provide psychosocial counselling to displaced Kenyans. There are currently 26 IDP camps of varying sizes in the area. While security on the ground in Kitale is stable, displaced persons continue to arrive to Kitale from the city of Eldoret and other parts of the province.
In Nairobi, the JRS emergency teams have decided to extend the food, shelter and non-food items aid to displaced Kenyans. Staff are conscious of the potential increase in xenophobia if refugees are favoured over Kenyans in extremely vulnerable situations. However, the teams worry that, given the arrival IDPs into the capital, they may not be able to cope.
On 31 January, the IDP camp in Jamhuri showground in Nairobi was closed by the authorities, and Kenyans were given a package containing one month of food rations and non-food items. The refugees living at the site were offered the same package by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Those who refused were offered a place in Kakuma camp.
In Uganda, the number of Kenyans fleeing the violence back at home has risen to 12,000. The emergency response is being led by UNHCR, in coordination with the local and central authorities in the area. Nearly half of those refugees, approximately 5,500, are being hosted in Bukwa district in eastern Uganda. Most of them are being hosted by local communities, but resources are running out.
Despite requests from refugee communities, both UNHCR and the Ugandan authorities have refused to establish separate camps on ethnic lines.
In Tanzania, refugee groups have accused the local authorities of refusing to recognise Kenyans fleeing the post-election violence as refugees. Dispatches has received information that some Kenyans who have sought asylum in the Tanzania have been arrested and had their travel documents confiscated.
However, the Tanzanian authorities have denied all allegations, stating that Kenyans have passed the border as 'normal visitors'.
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KENYA: REFUGEES IN URBAN AREAS AFFECTED BY POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE
On 6 February, the UN refugee agency met with a number of refugee organisations to discuss the impact of the post-election violence on refugees living in the country, and to see what could be done to improve their situation.
"At the start of the year many programmes for refugees were being postponed.
Now the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and other agencies see that the needs of displaced persons are really big. Unfortunately, the education, micro-finance and community development programmes cannot really start again until a solution is found to the present crisis. In the meantime, agencies have agreed that increased inter-agency coordination is the more appropriate response in the short-term", JRS Eastern Africa Regional Policy and Advocacy Officer, Anne Peeters, told Dispatches on 14 January.
An increasing number of refugees have been asking for assistance. Like Kenyans, refugees living in urban areas have also lost their homes and businesses. In Kibera, a shanty area in Nairobi, kiosks and small food stalls owned by many locals and refugees were destroyed in arson attacks. Moreover, rising prices and unemployment, as well as disintegrating community structures, have made it hard for refugees to survive in the city.
Shortages of housing in safe areas have also had a negative impact on refugees in vulnerable situations. In parts of Nairobi, refugees have been refused accommodation or even told to leave because houses have been 'reserved' for members of certain ethnic groups. One of the groups seriously affected by this violence has been children, many of whom have been subsequently unable to attend school.
The increased levels of violence have also been targeted at refugees living in urban areas, in particular sexual violence against women and children. Refugee organisations, including JRS, have identified the need to increase their counselling services to traumatised individuals.
JRS also received reports of refugees from the Great Lakes region who have been mistaken for Kenyans involved in the crisis.
"This type of situation highlights the importance of refugees being issued with official documentation. We are happy that this has been recognised by UNHCR and they have made the issuance of documentation a priority", said Ms Peeters.
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SUDAN: UN REFUGEE AGENCY SEEKS MORE FUNDS TO REPATRIATE REFUGEES
On 12 February, the UN refugee agency launched an appeal for US$63 million to fund its operations this year in southern Sudan, including organising the voluntary return and reintegration of 80,000 Sudanese refugees now living in neighbouring countries.
More than 169,000 Sudanese refugees and an estimated 1.9 million internally displaced Sudanese have returned home since a peace agreement in January
2005 ended the civil war in the south. Some 260,000 Sudanese refugees remain outside the country's borders, mainly from Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.
However, repatriation from northern Uganda has been slow, partly due to logistical and technical support difficulties affecting UNHCR and partly due to the general security situation. From May to December 2007, only 1,872 refugees supported by UNHCR returned from Adjumani to the Eastern Equatorial and Central State.
This year the process has speeded up. This January, UNHCR transported 1,411 refugees to Magwi County, 473 to Kajokeji County and 206 to Nimule in southern Sudan. According to the UNHCR Protection Department, more than 21,000 refugees have registered in late 2007 to be returned between January-March, and even more are currently registering. The numbers are overwhelming.
"Refugees still need more information about the voluntary repatriation process, particularly about the conditions and procedures. This would help them make informed decisions and prior preparations. We continue to monitor the repatriation process and advocate for refugees in vulnerable situations", said Aidan Azairwe, JRS Uganda Peace-Building and Advocacy Coordinator in Adjumani.
As well as the difficulties such as poor roads to transport refugees home and the lack of security in some areas, refugees face many problems when they return to Sudan. The areas of return still suffer from a lack of basic services, particularly in health and education, and weak, though improving, economic activity. If these problems are not addressed, returning refugees could flow into crowded urban areas or even go back to their countries of asylum.
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CHAD: FIGHTING IN THE CAPITAL AFFECTS REFUGEES IN THE EAST
Fighting between government and rebel forces from 2 until 5 February in the west of Chad cost the lives of an estimated 100 civilians, injured as many as 1,000 and displaced another 30,000, many to neighbouring Cameroon.
The rebels were reportedly on the verge on taking the capital, N'Djamena.
However, by 5 February, the violence had been quelled. On 2 February, a Sudan-backed group of approximately 1,500 Chadian insurgents, equipped with heavy arms, surrounded the presidential palace after crossing all the country. At least 1,000 foreigners have been evacuated, including humanitarian personnel.
Rebel forces are believed to still be occupying positions "around N'Djamena" and have vowed to fight any French intervention. By 7 February, the rebels had retreated to the town of Mongo, 400km east of the capital towards Sudan where sporadic fighting has been reported. On 12 February, a rebel column arrived to Koukou in the Ouadaï region near Abéché where international aid supports 17,000 refugees and 40,000 IDPs. They departed on the morning of 14 February.
NGOs working in the area were not harmed and no pillaging or cases of theft were reported.
On 13 February, another group advanced towards Abdi, located halfway between Goz Beida and Abéché. They appeared to be leaving Chad, headed towards Sudan.
JRS Staff fear that the violence will have serious implications in the east of the country, where approximately 500,000 refugees and internally displaced persons are living in over 12 camps. Initially, the unrest resulted in the closure of the Abéché connections with N'Djamena airport. The airport has since been opened but there are still delays in the arrival of humanitarian aid.
All JRS Chad staff have safely resettled to Abéché, both for project and security reasons. Project personnel have used this time in Abéché to recruit training officers for the JRS teacher training programme in the IDP schools of Goz Beida.
JRS-supported schools in the IDP camps of Goz Beida have not stopped activities. Trainings and distributions of materials have already restarted. All children at the JRS Transit and Orientation Centre for former child soldiers in Abéché have been re-united with families or host families. Follow up on these children is impossible due to instability in the Guéréda zone. The JRS teacher training programme in Abéché refugee camps will also likely face constraints, as numerous expatriate workers have evacuated.
Many fear recurring violence in the capital that could affect the greater region.
The overall situation remains difficult but calm as JRS Chad continues to follow events closely. The biggest concern is the food situation for refugees and IDPs.
After the fighting in N'Djamena, all terrestrial corridors to Abéche are closed or
damaged: Libya, Sudan, and Cameroon (through Ndjamena).
Chad is currently affected by a humanitarian crisis, involving over 240,000 Sudanese refugees in the east, more than 50,000 Central African refugees in the south, and over 170,000 IDPs, as well as members of the host communities in the east who are also in need of assistance.
Meanwhile, new refugees have arrived to Chad from the Guéréda area of Sudan as a result of clashes between the Southern rebel group, JEM, and the Sudanese government. Around 8,000 Sudanese refugees have been registered around Birak.
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TIMOR LESTE: PRESIDENT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
On 11 February, the President of Timor Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, was shot three times in an attempted coup while outside his home in Dili. A near-simultaneous rebel attack on a motorcade carrying Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao failed.
Immediately after the attack, the prime minister called a state of emergency for
48 hours, which was later extended to 23 February. The streets of Dili were calm, although JRS staff in the country described the atmosphere as tense.
President Ramos-Horta was airlifted to Darwin (Australia) after receiving emergency medical treatment at an Australian military hospital in the Timorese capital. The president is said to be in a serious but stable condition.
Rebel leader Alfredo Reinado was killed by Ramos-Horta's bodyguards in the pre-dawn assault. Despite fears that pro-Reinado members of the ruling coalition might withdraw their support following the death of the rebel leader, sparking the collapse of the government, a member of the coalition said there were no signs of a split.
On 13 February, Australian troops continued to arrive in Dili to reinforce international peacekeepers and the 1,600-strong United Nations police detachment, who are enforcing a state of emergency declared in the wake of the attack.
Reinado had led a revolt against the government and was charged with murder after factional violence in 2006. Later that year, he escaped jail with 50 other inmates, embarrassing security forces.
The former Portuguese colony of almost 1 million people gained full independence in 2002 after a UN-sponsored vote in 1999, marred by violence, ended more than two decades of brutal Indonesian occupation.
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SPAIN: DEMOBILISATION PROGRAMMES FOR CHILD SOLDIERS NEED TO TARGET GIRLS
On 12 February, the Spanish coalition to stop the use of child soldiers (CSC) issued a public statement to highlight the 120,000 girls being used as soldiers.
CSC condemned the fact that this group, girls, is usually left out of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes. DDR programmes constitute a vital first step to ending conflict and establishing peace.
In a public statement, the CSC members in Spain (JRS, Alboan, Amnesty International, Entreculturas, Fundacion del Compromiso, and Save the Children) pointed out the that girl soldiers have special needs.
CSC Spain deplored the fact that girls are normally not considered as soldiers as they often do not participate directly in combat. Consequently, they are frequently excluded from DDR programmes. However, the statement read they not only participate directly in combat, but they often suffer constant abuses and sexual exploitation from their superiors, who turn them into their sexual slaves.
Moreover, according to CSC Spain, the girls are exposed to diseases and undesired pregnancies, as well as suffering psychological harm. Girls are more likely to be rejected by their families and communities than boys. With very few options for the future, some are forced in prostitute themselves or to re-enlist in an armed group.
The Coalition regretted that insufficient attention has been paid to protecting childhood in these programmes and added that, if enough political will or financial resources are not provided, peace processes will fail. The Coalition called for more programmes targeted specifically at girls. These programmes need to be more sensitive and use more discretion than usual.
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UPDATES ON JRS PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
ITALY: CONFERENCE ON MIGRANT INTEGRATION IN THE LABOUR MARKET
On 31 January 2008, JRS Italy organised a conference on the integration of migrants and refugees into the Italian labour market. The conference looked at factors that can limit their integration and the role of education in helping them gain access to employment.
The conference was the conclusion of a project, financed by the Lazio regional government and implemented by JRS Italy, which offered 23 migrants, refugees and those afforded humanitarian protection the opportunity to develop skills and training.
These individuals often face serious and long-term problems achieving recognition for qualifications gained outside Italy. All 23 migrants participated in 500 hours of training and were able to receive official qualifications.
For more information about the project and the conference, please contact Donatella Parisi, JRS Italy Information Officer at: astalli@jrs.net.
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LATIN AMERICA: A NIGHTMARE OF BULLETS AND BOMBS FOR CHILDREN
On 12 February, International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, JRS Latin America and the Caribbean (JRS LAC), called on the protagonists of the armed conflict in Colombia to cease using children as soldiers.
The JRS regional office also urged the armed groups to begin immediately the demobilisation process of the estimated 14,000 child soldiers in the country. Both the left-wing insurgent groups and the right wing paramilitaries use children in the conflict. Report after report has revealed a high level of cooperation between the military and security services and paramilitary groups.
"Over the last 40 years, the conflict in Colombia has cost the lives of approximately 4,500 individuals per year. One of the sectors most affected is that of children, which represent 41.5% of the country's population", JRS LAC Regional Communications Officer, Federico Zaá, told Dispatches on 12 February.
"They are substituting pencils, books, and toys with bullets, machine guns and grenades. The dreams for improvement and progress of the youngest children are shattered with nightmares of war", added Mr Zaá.
The JRS LAC statement criticised the recruitment of children into armed factions, describing it as damaging to their healthy development. The Jesuit organisation stated that it is threatening the development of balanced and fair societies. It is imperative that the state guarantee all the necessary conditions to educate children in a safe environment so they can participate in the social development of the country.
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LIBERIA: LOCAL STAFF IMPLEMENT HEALTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
On 1 January, JRS hired a two-person team of local Liberians to raise health awareness in Tappita, a rural region in central Liberia.
During a one week assessment in early January, when the project began, team members Ms. Mary Harvey and Mr. Veewu Boldoe met with community leaders and school administrators to determine the needs of the community. Upon identifying a community in most need, the team facilitates five day workshops consisting of separate sessions designed for parents, children, and teachers.
"We target families who are most in need because they can probably benefit the most from the information offered. Nimba County is a rural area where many people lack basic health knowledge. The decision was also based on the JRS mission to serve those who live in the most vulnerable conditions," JRS Liberia Advocacy Officer, Mark McDougall, SJ, told Dispatches on 15 February.
Sessions, each attended by groups of 25 persons, cover topics including first aid, hygiene, family education, sexual/reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. Since January, the team has served communities in Gibson Town, Power Station, and Bypass, all in the Tappita area. Workshops are ongoing and are planned to end in March. Ms. Harvey and Mr. Boldoe previously worked for JRS in Lofa County, northern Liberia, where they ran similar workshops with parent-teacher organisations through county schools.
Since November 2007, JRS Tappita has hosted workshops aimed at community development. At the end of November, in collaboration with Liberia's Ministry of Gender and Development, JRS organised a women's empowerment workshop.
JRS began working in Tappita in late 2005, continuing the cycle of accompanying returnees to their communities of origin. A participatory approach, by which communities assess their own situations and needs, is employed in order to promote sustainability and empowerment.
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USA: PUBLICATION ON THE PLIGHT OF HAITIAN REFUGEES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Nearly 1,500 Haitians are now seeking asylum status in the Dominican Republic.
Some have awaited a response for over 15 years. On 1 February, JRS USA published the second edition of its magazine, Refugee Voice, to examine the plight of Haitian refugees, in particular women.
It covers a number of issues, including the lack of assistance and documents from the Dominican state, and the systematic discrimination faced by Haitians living in their host country.
The magazine looks at the impact of the lack of protection provided to Haitians. In the last decade, only a handful of asylum decisions have been made in favour of the applicant. It has even arbitrarily stripped some Haitian refugees of their refugee status. Moreover, Haitian asylum seekers rarely receive documents to indicate they have sought refugee status. Those who are provided documents are often charged exorbitant fees to receive and renew them.
Most Haitians in the Dominican Republic live in extreme poverty without access to education, potable water, health services, housing or electricity. Among the larger Haitian migrant population are refugees and asylum seekers who have been forcibly displaced from their homeland and now live in an inhospitable land under a government that refuses to acknowledge them. Perhaps most disturbing is the discrimination targeting asylum seekers' children, many of whom were born on Dominican soil, yet their right to citizenship goes unrecognised despite this being required under Dominican law.
Since 1995, JRS has worked to raise awareness about the systematic exclusion of Haitian asylum seekers and their Dominican children, and to provide funding for health care for this vulnerable population.
The Haitian refugee women interviewed in the magazine have lived in limbo for the last fifteen years, waiting for the Dominican government and the international community to protect them.
For further information, click here.
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