Global Initiative Bi-weekly site updates

    

                                                                                                May 10th to May 28th , 2025


214 young refugees in Kakuma camp completed digital and entrepreneurship training. The program was led by BrighterMonday Kenya with MasterCard Foundation and Amahoro Coalition. It aims to create job opportunities via remote work or online businesses for displaced youth.


In a context where only 10% of Kenya’s workforce holds formal employment and youth unemployment remains high, refugee camps face even greater challenges. Last week, 214 young refugees in the Kakuma camp, in the northwest of Kenya, completed a training program aimed at digital skills and entrepreneurship. This program, launched by BrighterMonday Kenya in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation and the Amahoro Coalition, responds to a worrying national situation where, as per the KNBS (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics), over 700,000 Kenyan youths lost their jobs after the onset of Covid.



Refugees in Kenya at risk of worsening hunger as WFP faces critical funding shortfall

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that refugees in Kenya are at risk of heightened levels of food insecurity as critical funding shortages force the agency to reduce food assistance to the lowest levels ever recorded.


Around 720,000 refugees supported by WFP in Kenya will from June receive an in-kind food ration of just 28 percent and all cash assistance will halt, unless additional funding is received. Over the past five years, the number of refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya has increased by over 70 percent – from around 500,000 to 843,000 – as people have fled conflict and drought in neighbouring countries like Somalia and South Sudan. But, despite generous support from many donors, growing needs among refugees has outstripped the availability of funds.

Lebanon

Lebanon launches process to disarm Palestinian factions in refugee camps

A joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee tasked with the removal of weapons held by Palestinian factions in Lebanon’s refugee camps has met for the first time to begin hashing out a timetable for disarming the groups.


The Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, a government body serving as interlocutor between Palestinian refugees and officials, met on Friday with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in attendance. The group said that “participants agreed to launch a process for the disarmament of weapons according to a specific timetable”. It added that it also aimed to take steps to “enhance the economic and social rights of Palestinian refugees”.


UN refugee agency to halt healthcare coverage for Syrian refugees in Lebanon


The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will cease healthcare coverage for around 1.5 million Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon starting November, due to a significant decline in donor funding, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported Wednesday.


The decision was announced during a meeting between a UNHCR delegation, led by the agency's representative in Lebanon Ivo Freijsen, and Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereldine. Freijsen said the decision involves gradually scaling back support for several primary healthcare centers, citing dwindling contributions from international donors. In response, Nassereldine urged the international community to uphold its humanitarian commitments toward vulnerable populations.

Malawi

IsraAID Malawi completes emergency response for Mozambican Asylum seekers

IsraAID Malawi has completed its emergency response to support Mozambican asylum seeker communities that took refuge in Malawi’s southern district between January and April of this year. 

Amid civil unrest and post-election violence in Mozambique, IsraAID launched its emergenecy response in January as thousands fled to neighboring Malawi. In partnership with the Malawi Government Department for Refugees, the organization provided urgently needed support to about 7,000 asylum seekers in two refugee camps in Nsanje district – including a mobile health clinic, child-friendly spaces, and supporting water and sanitation needs. In December, Mozambique’s constitutional council upheld the results of the October 9 elections, sparking protests and civil unrest, and causing thousands to flee to neighboring countries. Six evacuation centers were operating in Malawi’s southern district of Nsanje, on the border with Mozambique.


Rwanda


Will the United States deport people to Rwanda?

After a plan by the United Kingdom to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was scrapped last year, Kigali is now in discussions about a similar arrangement with the United States, despite concerns from rights groups.


This month, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed that his country is in talks with Washington over a migration deal, but concrete details have been scarce. Donald Trump’s government is actively deporting refugees to third countries like El Salvador and is reportedly in talks with Libya, a country beset by conflict and economic instability that already hosts tens of thousands of refugees.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the administration is looking for countries, preferably distant ones, to accept deported individuals, particularly convicted criminals who have served their sentences.


Oklahoma Christian University deepens 20-year Rwanda partnership, announces new Bachelor’s programme

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) on May 19, 2025, announced the strengthening of its enduring partnership with the Government of Rwanda, marking a new phase in its commitment to contributing to the nation’s human capital development.


So far through this partnership, over 600 Rwandan students have gained US-accredited degrees, forming an extensive alumni network. Building on nearly two decades of successful education collaboration, OC is proud to officially announce its US-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business, Leadership, and Technology (BLT) programme in Rwanda. Oklahoma Christian University’s connection to the Republic of Rwanda spans almost two decades. This significant partnership began nearly 20 years ago in 2006, following a personal invitation from President Paul Kagame to OC President Mike O’Neal. Since then, OC has played a vital role in enhancing Rwanda’s human capital through undergraduate programmes on the main campus in Oklahoma, particularly through the Presidential Scholarship Program and graduate programmes in Rwanda.


Latin America


Latin America and the Caribbean call to accelerate efforts to guarantee the right to education

In a context marked by deep educational inequalities and learning setbacks, representatives from the ministries of education of more than 30 countries in the region, along with teachers and students, civil society, and international organizations, came together to participate in the meeting of the Regional Steering Committee for SDG 4 – Education 2030.


The meeting, held on May 19, was co-chaired by Nicolás Cataldo Astorga, Minister of Education of Chile, Paula Alves de Souza, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Brazil to UNESCO and Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago. During the session, participants assessed the progress and challenges faced by Latin America and the Caribbean on the path toward inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all by 2030.





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