Sedrick Murhula’s Post

Can you relate to this ?

#War and #conflict must be #prevented at all costs. There is no justification for the loss of innocent lives, especially when driven by the selfish interests of #politicians, #corrupt leaders, and #greedy corporations that finance and perpetuate these endless wars. The consequences of conflict are devastating, particularly for the most vulnerable populations: children, women, and families who are left with nothing but trauma and loss. Take, for example, a 14-year-old boy from Congo who lost his siblings to war and has no knowledge of his parents’ whereabouts. Now, he lives in a refugee camp in Goma, Eastern Congo, feeling hopeless, desperate, and drained by a life shaped by conflict. His story is not unique; it mirrors the plight of countless children in #Gaza, #Sudan, #Myanmar, and other conflict zones around the world. These #children are #victims of circumstances they had no part in creating, and their suffering is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for conflict prevention. The international community, including INGOs, civil society, and political leaders, must prioritize prevention over intervention. Conflict prevention is not only a moral responsibility but a practical necessity. Investing in peacebuilding, education, economic development, and political dialogue can address the root causes of conflict before they escalate into violence. Addressing issues like inequality, resource mismanagement, and political oppression can help create environments where peace can thrive. It is also contradictory and unethical to support #arms trade in regions experiencing conflict while claiming to offer humanitarian aid to the victims. True #humanitarianism means committing to #peace and refraining from actions that fuel violence. We cannot address the consequences of war by merely treating the symptoms; we must actively work to prevent it. The global community must unite to dismantle systems that profit from conflict and, instead, build frameworks that promote peace, justice, and the protection of human rights.

The so-called "Refugee experts" (with only theoretical experience from distance) shaping policies have never stayed in a camp past 3 p.m., eaten the food they supply, been treated in the clinics they fund, or drank the water from the wells they finance. How, then, can they possibly understand what refugees need? It is time that those who have lived the experience—former and current refugees—take charge of these decisions. It should never be the other way around. Until you walk in their shoes—eat the food they eat, sleep in their makeshift shelters, drink the water they drink, seek treatment in their clinics, fetch water alongside them, or gather firewood and endure the conditions of the tents you provide—you cannot truly grasp the reality of life in a refugee camp. It is only then, when you live their struggles, that you will understand what it takes to make effective policies and programs for displaced people. My recent visit to #Gado #Refugee Camp in #Cameroon was yet another upsetting reminder of the systemic failure in humanitarian aid—and a failure of humanity itself. Speaking with community leaders , parents, village chiefs, and camp administrators in a camp Gado that shelters over 22,000 Central African refugees, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own experience as a former refugee and over 15 years of work in this field. I spent time with refugees, shared meals, fetched water, played soccer, and listened to their stories. And yet, the same unsettling thought crossed my mind: how can those sitting in air-conditioned offices in Washington, Geneva, and New York—so far removed from the daily hardships and reality of refugees—be the ones deciding their fates? As the UN General Assembly convenes again this week in New York City , it is disheartening to witness global actors and stakeholders revisiting the same challenges—challenges for which solutions are well known but remain unacted upon. This raises a critical question: what is the true value of these meetings and conferences if the issues discussed continue to deteriorate year after year? It is clear that what is needed is not just discussion, but systemic change. The harsh truth is that the current humanitarian system isn’t designed to offer lasting solutions for refugees or displaced people. Instead, it serves its own interests, often at the expense of those it claims to help. Until policies and decisions are grounded in the lived realities of refugees—until refugees themselves have the power to decide what’s best for their communities—and until resources and funding are truly directed to local actors and communities, there will be no real, tangible progress. The time for change is now.

I had the pleasure of presenting at a #webinar organized by #Switchboard today, where I discussed how the state of Kentucky is partnering with Ethnic Community-Based Organizations (ECBOs) to provide both technical and financial support. As a consultant to the Kentucky Office For Refugees (KOR), I firmly believe that direct #engagement with refugee communities is key to transforming how refugee services are delivered. Either at the local or global level. Community-besee Organization like Marafiki Center are exemplary in this regard, as they offer #community-driven services that are designed, implemented, and led by members of the community itself. It's essential that refugee state coordinators across the USA follow this model by #recognizing, #respecting, and actively #supporting #refugee communities in their efforts to create sustainable solutions. Thanks to Nao Kabashima Nawid Mousa and most especially Rob Callus for being a great host and moderator

In the often overlooked and isolated refugee camps, iACT continues to stand out as one of the few #organizations dedicated to supporting refugee children. In #Gado #Refugee Camp, Cameroon, where many organizations have lost funding and donor interest has reduced , the situation for refugees remains dire. During conversations with camp leaders, community representatives, and parents, it became clear that #food #insecurity is the most pressing challenge facing the refugees in Gado. Despite ongoing efforts to facilitate repatriation, many refugees are not ready to return, and some who do leave often come back, according to camp administrators. In addition to food insecurity, refugees are grappling with issues related to #healthcare, #housing, and #education. Many schools, once funded by international NGOs, have been forced to close due to lack of funds, leaving many children without access to #education. This is where iACT continues to make a critical #impact. By integrating sports into educational initiatives, iACT’s RUSA Academy provides refugee children with a sense of normalcy, structure, and hope. One parent shared, “RUSA Academy has been my child’s school for the past three years, and the joy and excitement it brings him, both in learning and playing with others, is incredible.” While iACT’s #efforts are vital, the need for greater involvement from INGOs, actors, and donors is immense. Refugee camps like Gado require sustained support to address these urgent challenges and provide children with the opportunities they deserve.

Following three successful online #training sessions focused on #grant writing, reporting, and #compliance, as well as three in-person meetings in various cities across #Kentucky, today marked the conclusion of our in-person session with #community-based organizations (CBOs) serving the immigrant population in Bowling Green. During this session, we dive into the various grants available through the Kentucky Office For Refugees (KOR) and discussed their potential impact on these communities. As a #consultant for Ethnic Community-Based Organizations (ECBOs) with the KOR, it is both inspiring and encouraging to witness the state’s proactive #engagement with ECBOs and its commitment to providing the necessary support for these organizations to grow and enhance their impact. The state’s willingness to invest in these grassroots efforts is a positive step forward, but there is still much work to be done. This initiative represents just a small part of a larger effort to support ECBOs and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs). However, based on the current landscape in #Kentucky, there remain several critical gaps that need to be addressed by federal, state, and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) working with immigrant communities: - Recognition: Acknowledging the efforts, skills, cultural knowledge, and impact that ECBOs have within their communities. - Access to Decision-Making: Ensuring that ECBOs are involved in consultations and decision-making processes that affect their communities. - Funding and Resources: Facilitating access to funding and other essential resources. - Technical Support: Providing access to professional development opportunities, logistical support such as space and tools, and other necessary infrastructure. - Legal Support: Improving access to legal assistance and documentation. For ECBOs and RLOs, there are also areas that require attention: - Collaboration: Enhancing collaboration and minimizing service duplication within the same community. - Safeguarding Practices: Implementing and maintaining robust safeguarding practices. - Accountability: Ensuring accountability in all operations and services provided. With focused efforts in these areas, we can make significant strides in closing service gaps and increasing the impact of community-led initiatives.

This article offers a good argument against using the word "#empower" in mission statements, particularly when working with at-risk or #disadvantaged populations. I also suggests that we should be mindful of language across all contexts. Additionally, the article presents 20 alternatives words , though I also advocate for removing "#build capacity," as it has often been used by Western #humanitarian efforts to undermine the skills and knowledge of talent in the Global South and label themselves as experts or experiences . What other words do you think should be reconsidered, and which alternatives do you prefer? Please share your thoughts here. Read more here https://lnkd.in/eu3KyNmX

Very interesting ! Good job brother Jonathan Kifunda