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FMR 64 COVID-19: early reflections 77

June 2020 www.fmreview.org/issue64

regions. In countries around the world, is “increasingly being characterized by
refugees are providing information limited mobility and access for international
and training, food distribution, legal actors”. Yet the US$6.7 billion requested
support, online mental health support, from donors is being directed to the very
and transportation for those in need of multilateral actors that are constrained in
medical care, and are filling critical gaps their ability to respond. Yet again, refugee-
in basic services including in health, led organisations, even those with the proven
education and protection. Refugees are capacity to manage donor funds and mount
also mobilising to raise awareness of how effective responses, are not being included in
their fellow refugees are being affected by a direct, meaningful and substantive way.
both the virus and by State responses.
For example, in Lebanon, local refugee- Honouring commitments to refugee
led organisations like Basmeh & Zeitooneh participation
and the Molham Volunteering Team are This marginalisation of refugee-led
working to support tens of thousands of organisations comes just over a year after
families in need through providing food the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR)
baskets, hygiene kits and cash support to was affirmed by the UN General Assembly.
pay monthly rents. Elsewhere, the Asia Its stated purpose is to “provide a basis
Pacific Network of Refugees, one of the for predictable and equitable burden- and
GRN’s regional chapters, has showcased responsibility-sharing among all United
as part of its #Refugeesrise campaign the Nations Member States, together with
many refugees and asylum seekers serving other relevant stakeholders… including…
as health-care providers on the frontline refugees themselves”. In December 2019,
of the pandemic response. The campaign at the first Global Refugee Forum, States,
has included live online events featuring international organisations and a host of
health-care providers answering questions other actors re-affirmed the importance of
in Farsi, Dari and other languages. And meaningful refugee participation. Many
in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee complex, took GRN’s Refugee Participation Pledge. 4
whose first case was reported in May These commitments to refugee
2020, the refugee-led initiative Dadaab participation need to be honoured and
Films has expanded its programming implemented, now more than ever. It
to include public health information to is not only the right thing to do – given
help prevent the spread of COVID-19. normative commitments from the GCR,
These localised responses, by refugees the Grand Bargain and the New York
for refugees, are just some of the latest Declaration – but it is also a good thing to
examples of how refugees are typically do. Many research projects have painted
first responders to crises that affect their detailed pictures of the contributions
communities. These responses will need to refugees make to responding to the needs
be more fully appreciated and supported of their communities. These valuable
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if we are to be able to effectively meet contributions complement the responses of
the critical challenges facing refugees international actors such as UNHCR, and
during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially their significance needs to be more fully
where international actors – UN agencies, reflected in research, policy and practice.
international NGOs and governments – are In practice, donors and humanitarian
constrained by regulations that require actors should collaborate closely and
them to restrict their movements. directly with refugee-led organisations
In fact, when the UN launched its Global in developing and implementing their
Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19, responses to COVID-19. This should
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it noted that the response would emphasise include direct funding to those refugee-
“the importance of involving and supporting led organisations that have the capacity
local organizations” especially as the crisis to deliver and report on their impact.