Disclaimer: This is a letter to all. A voice that talks about dignity and sincerity. A quiet question that most, if not all, refugee leaders ask themselves as we push for inclusion of RLOs and refugee leaders in the decision-making space. True inclusion is dignity. And as humans, who are we without dignity? Read with an open and curious mind and see things from this perspective. After all, we are working towards co-creation, right? 

To INGOs and RLOs, 

The conversation of inclusion in any shape or form always wells me up. Not because I am a woman and we are ‘emotional creatures,’ but because I have experienced exclusion. I have been to spaces and felt completely irrelevant. I have been to spaces and left feeling like a token. Paraded around to show inclusion. 

I am a refugee, a young creative, a refugee leader. I have been for the past 15 years. So when you see me shed a tear or get extremely defensive when we talk of refugee inclusion, know that I have lived its opposite and continue to till this day. 

I have attended a fair number of meetings, conferences, or gatherings with INGOs, government stakeholders, or the private sector. One remark always comes up, especially in conversations after the funding shrinkage, ‘RLOs use so little and have so much impact,’ or my personal favourite, ‘We are happy that we have grown to include RLOs in these meetings now.’ 

In hindsight, these remarks are harmless. Yet, I am always left questioning, What if organisations still had their funding? Would we be here? Are these remarks sincere? 

When Budgets Dictate Values 

The cut of the USAID funds in the humanitarian sector hit. And it hit hard. Organisations laid off staff, some projects closed, and a new approach was adopted for food rationing: Differentiated Assistance. Tough times! 

With these drastic unforeseen changes, a different approach was necessary: One that leveraged, or as we refer to it in this space, included Refugee-Led organisations and their work. So, here we are. Inclusion – The transition of Power from INGOs to RLOs. 

For years, refugees and refugee leaders have been fighting for a seat at the table. And when that proved hard, they went ahead and started community-based organisations, self-help groups, and businesses that directly catered for the community. They put forth a whole new table. One that showed their worth, and for so long these structures have worked, to some extent, independently from INGOs. Looking at inclusion, collaboration, and partnerships, all these are powerful ways to bring RLOs and refugee leaders on board to the global and decision-making space, and ensure their voices are heard and opinions considered. These are efforts I admire and applaud. 

However, while I applaud the inclusion of RLOs, I am inclined to question whether this is a sincere shift in values or merely a strategically calculated manoeuvre necessitated by circumstances. Would you blame me? I mean, it only fully came around after a massive funding cut. Candidly speaking, the approach taken in the inclusion is what raises the questions. The context in which the remark, ‘RLOs use so little with so much impact,’ is spoken is what questions whether the statement is earnest or hypocritical: Recognise where previously INGOs have fallen short and then, let’s work towards inclusion. 

Co-creation requires full disclosure 

To Government, INGO officials, and private agencies, you have done commendable work in the humanitarian space, especially in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. Three decades and more than 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers is not an easy task. The policies and regulations that worked 10 years ago do not work now. With proven numbers, refugees are moving from aid and dependency to self-reliance, creativity, and living. Relinquishing all power is not ideal, but my question to you is, why not be forthcoming? Why not be fully inclusive rather than partially inclusive? It is a co-creation and a collaboration after all. 

To RLOs and refugee leaders, when no one was watching, you built your table. You are still building it. The community looks up to you. When opportunities were minimal, you reached out and found opportunities no one thought of. Now that the laws and policies are shifting to better empower you and the community, embrace it. But remember, you come with the table. It is a co-creation and a collaboration after all. 

Sincerely, 

Nira Ismail.

Nira Ismail is a Sudanese refugee journalist and advocate based in Kakuma, Kenya. She is the founder of The Kamp , an initiative amplifying refugee voices and youth expression through media and storytelling. Nira also works as a Communications Officer at Resilience Action International and advocates for refugee inclusion, gender equity, and community empowerment.