GEESI Development and Humanitarian Initiative

The Director of Geesi Development and Humanitarian Initiative presented a statement on behalf of the UNHCR Advisory Board of organizations led by forcibly displaced and stateless people during the Fourth Quarterly Informal GCR (Global Compact on Refugees)meeting at the International Labour Organization Head Quarters in Geneva Switzerland on the 02/12/2024. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among affected communities and the international organizations, governments, faith Based institutions, INGOs and individuals of good will in achieving our Humanitarian shared goals. This is because RLOs are often the first responders in crisis situations and they enjoy the trust and support of the community. Applauded UNHCR for her pursuit for complimentary pathways towards resettlement and other durable solutions. He stressed the fact that the involvement of refugees is very crucial because they possess unique educational, professional, expertise and lived experiences that can contribute in shaping governments INGOs policies that can actually support the forcibly displaced and stateless people worldwide even through low cost culturally responsive programs and practices, thus enriching the local environment. He went further to appeal to other countries to fulfill their pledges while commending countries like Canada and Brazil for their leading role in implementing the Meaningful Refugee Participation Pledge. Hence giving access to the vulnerable people to be heard and considered before, during and after policies and project implementation. He ended with a mind blowing question that kept the hall silent for a while. He asked " What is that one specific action that you will take to ensure that the voices of refugees and stateless people are heard in your organizations, foundations and governments" He paid a capacity sharing moments with an RLO in Nairobi Kenya called Umoja Refugee Unity Creative Community center where he was taken through their various activities and they both shared their experiences that had to do with mission, and vision, obstacles, challenges and how they are overcoming them in their various organizations. It was a very fruitful deliberation with the staff and some of the beneficiaries that were on the spot. On that same 19/11/2024, he visited another RLO called Youth Voices in Nairobi Kenya still after a brief meeting at the conference hall with the staff, he was taken round their areas of training such as ICT, language, advocacy and they came back to the conference hall again where they shared their experiences that dwell on their strengths and weaknesses and how they are battling with the weaknesses.