While it is more than a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to see challenging scenes in India and other places where new waves are affecting the populations so badly. And while vaccines offer light at the end of a long tunnel, there is still a lot to do before everyone is safe, and refugees and the forcibly displaced are included in vaccine distributions. UNHCR is advocating for inclusion and we continue to raise funds to help those negatively affected by COVID-19 and its dire socio-economic consequences. Our emergency fundraising is also continuing for the situation in Yemen, for Rohingya refugees, the Syria situation and many other ongoing crises.
While numbers of people fleeing the violence in Tigray, Ethiopia, has slowed, healthcare, shelter and other emergency support is still needed. Your donations have helped provide life-saving aid to tens of thousands of people displaced by the conflict in the northern Tigray region.
UNHCR Jordan and its partners have launched a new innovative microenterprise training program, which promises to provide Syrian refugee women with the skills to build a better future for their families. We celebrate the incredible connections made through our Leading Women Fund community to date, and share the next steps in providing Syrian refugee women with financial independence.
This month, we also share the inspiring work of one Australian local hero taking steps to connect refugee and migrant women in Australia to their neighbours, each other and themselves.
A new wave of COVID-19 in India triggers conversation around vaccine inclusion for refugees and displaced people suffering the pandemic of poverty. Nepal is the first country in the Asia Pacific region to provide COVID-19 vaccines to refugees through its national vaccination rollout.
Last year, we asked you to help displaced families forced to flee conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. With gifts totalling $425,600, UNHCR has been able to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to tens of thousands of people. We will stay and deliver.
Australia for UNHCR’s Leading Women Fund is seeking 134 Australian women to support 134 Syrian refugee women to participate in a financial training program in Jordan. The program aims to provide long-term financial security for sole providers.
When Rosemary Kariuki arrived in Sydney in 1999 after fleeing violence in Kenya, she felt alone and longed for a sense of community. She decided to take action and help other women like herself. This World Refugee Day, Rosemary stands with Australia for UNHCR to call for inclusion.
This year, we will host a livestream and in-person lunchtime event to allow supporters to join from anywhere in Australia, and around the world. While our physical event is sold out, you can still join us online.
