When families move from one place to another, then children move with them. The minors do not make decisions to migrate or undertake such journeys alone.  But more children than ever before are fleeing without adults to look after them.

Unaccompanied and Separated Children:

War and political violence around the world are the reasons for these circumstances. These children are – unaccompanied minors or separated children. Unaccompanied children are not looked after by parents, relatives or any adults. Besides, there are children who are separated from their parents or primary caregivers. Sometimes they remain under the care of relatives. Hence the term ‘separated children.’

Why Children Migrate Alone:

There are different reasons why children migrate alone. They could be fleeing persecution or  might be the victims of natural disasters. Some of them are trying to avoid conflict, gang violence, or enlistment into rebel armies.

Sometimes, the flight process separates children from their parents or older relatives. These are the times when the children need their families the most. The separated children face these turmoil alone, without the protection of their families. Which makes their stories even more heartbreaking. Parents have had to make the difficult choice to send their kids alone. Such a decision comes down to the hope of ensuring their survival.

In some cases the parents have to migrate and seek asylum first, leaving the children behind. After they have secured a safe place, only then their children migrate by themselves. More often than not these minors have to take very risky routes without any adult protection.

Current Scenario of Unaccompanied Minors:

The number of unaccompanied or separated children (USAC) are at an all time high. Now more than ever the discussions on the rights of these children have become necessary. There are 35 million children below the age of 18 who are refugees. Thousands of these children arrive in a country either on their own or with relatives. There are 153,300 unaccompanied minors and separated children worldwide. (according to a UNHCR report estimation:  )

It is almost impossible for a child to face the world alone and remain the same. The interrupted childhood compels them to assume adult responsibilities.

Older children become caregivers, protectors, and providers to their younger siblings. Often they do the unimaginable to survive. Thus, they are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Migrating alone is physically and psychologically tiring and dangerous. It exposes them to physical violence, rape, manipulation, and human trafficking.

Girls are at a greater risk of sexual and gender-based violence. The police or immigration officers also exploit these children instead of protecting them. Moreover they do not get access to adequate medical services, education. They do not get official identity or appropriate documents. Getting registration of their refugee status is also difficult.

There is not much consideration given to their needs as children. Some of these children remain in detention facilities in inhumane conditions. It contributes to them having childhood interrupted. The detention facilities force them to stay with adults they do not know. Children in such facilities suffer physical, emotional, and psychological trauma.

Sometimes the children do not get asylum and end up returning to their countries. There are possibilities of mismanagement in their asylum requests. The authorities are not attentive to their needs. At least not in an age-appropriate or gender-sensitive manner.

Some Commendable Initiatives: 

The European Court of Human Rights has recently ruled on the unlawful detention of migrant children in EU states. As per international law, authorities should not detain the children. Humanitarian organizations around the world have made a strong stance favoring this law.

UNICEF and UNHCR insist on a Best Interest Analysis (BIA) before a decision to detain a child. It should identify the action in the child’s best interest. Authorities can only detain children after carefully considering their physical and mental safety. BIA should also highly consider their age and gender before deciding to detain them.

UNHCR also advocates child-appropriate alternatives to detention. They suggest connecting children with relatives in the country of asylum. They also suggest for children the foster care systems or residential quarters. UNHCR is also pushing initiatives, such as:

• Supervised independent living in Greece
• Guardianship program in Italy
• Protection coordinators initiative in Germany

These projects have benefitted from the direct input of children. Moreover these projects have made a positive impact in a lot of migrant children’s lives.

Awakening Amongst Everyone:

The issues faced by unaccompanied children have prompted people everywhere to speak out. People are making an effort to learn more about migration issues. Some governments and policies add more trauma to these children’s lives.

People are speaking against such tendencies.  They are also educating others to become more involved in this movement. Also, they are encouraging people to support local NGOs by donating time and money. All these efforts have been successful in raising awareness about this sensitive issue.

Standing for the rights of refugee children is long overdue. No child deserves to have their childhood interrupted. The recent initiatives for the unaccompanied minor and separated children have positive impacts.

The post Unaccompanied Minors: A Childhood Interrupted appeared first on UMR.

The post Water Scarcity in Kenya: A Dire Crisis appeared first on UMR.

Who are Rohingya? 

The Rohingya are a minority Muslim ethnic group. They come from the Rakhine state of Myanmar. Very few of them are practicing Buddhists. They generally speak the Rohingya dialect. But, they may also speak English, Bangla, Burmese, and Chittagonian. They dress in the Indo-Burmese traditional style. Songs and musical plays are an integral part of their culture.

History of the Rohingya Crisis: 

The Rohingya Crisis dates back to the 1940s. At that time, Myanmar (Burma) gained independence from the British. The British policies motivated many Rohingya to migrate to Myanmar. Often recruited in the rice fields, their population grew. The Muslim population reportedly tripled in the 1870s because of such migrant activities. 

The British promised the Rohingya their separate land if they supported them. It was a promise they didn’t intend to keep. The Rohingya sided with the British during World War II. But, the Myanmar nationalists were on the Japanese side. Their reward was prestigious government positions but no land at the war’s end.

After the fall of colonialism, the Rohingya continued to demand an autonomous state. But the Rohingya association with the British bred resentment towards them. The Nationalist government regarded them as foreigners. In 1950, the army quashed a Rohingya revolt demanding an autonomous state. They endured a series of attacks. It forced them to flee to Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia. A more significant percentage of the Rohingya are refugees in Bangladesh. 

Rohingya Fleeing for Safety

The 700,000 who recently fled in 2017 joined others who had earlier run. They found homes in the Kuputalong Camp (in Cox’s Bazar district)in Bangladesh. Kuputalong became the biggest refugee camp in the world. It houses over 880,000 Rohingya refugees. 

Citizenship Act and Rohingya: 

The enactment of the Citizenship Act of Myanmar took place in 1982. According to this act, a national group or race that existed before British rule are citizens. A census confirms the presence of an indigenous ethnic group, ‘Rooinga.’ 

Some claims assert that the Rohingyas had lived in the Rakhine state of Myanmar as far back as the 12th century. Myanmar has not considered any of these claims. The country consistently denied Rohingya citizenship. They are instead viewed as illegal immigrants or, at best, ‘ resident foreigners. Bangladesh, where many Rohingyas have had to flee, do not consider them as citizens either. As such, the Rohingyas are stateless and deprived of any government protection.

Rohingya Treatment in Myanmar: 

Rohingya children born outside Myanmar are not considered citizens of these countries. Those who choose to stay behind in Myanmar suffer deprivation of benefits. They are subject to restrictions. They do not enjoy quality healthcare, education, or employment. There are government restrictions on the number of children they should have. They can have only 2 children. They need to seek permission to marry. This process involves presenting a photo of the bride and a clean-shaven-faced groom. Both practices do not agree with Muslim customs. They also need permission to move or travel out.

Rohingya Genocide: 

The news of fleeing Rohingya refugees caught the world’s attention in 2017. Even so, the television scenes of the March 2021 fires jolted the world’s conscience. Before then, Cox’s Bazar was familiar only to the humanitarian community. They had been grappling with the weight of this catastrophe for years. There are claims that the refugees had started making their way to Bangladesh as far back as the 1940s. Some documented reports show that they had begun to arrive in Bangladesh for help in 1977. At that time, Myanmar launched ‘Operation Dragon King’. It stripped the Rohingya of their citizenship status. Moreover, it led to mass arrests and persecution of the group. 

There is also pictorial evidence of refugees in Dumdumia Camp, Cox’s Bazar in 1992. 

Start of Genocide 

In 2017, the Buddhist indigenes faced reprisal attacks from the Myanmar army. This forced 700,000 Rohingya refugees to seek refuge in the town. Earlier, a group of Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts. It killed 12 members of the security forces in the process. 

The Myanmar army and the locals unleashed vengeance on Rohingya homes and property. Rape, sexual slavery, torture, kidnappings, and the killing of civilians were reported. Unverified reports claim that over 1,000 Rohingyas lost their lives in the 2017 brawl. Others who barely managed to survive joined in the mass exodus to Cox’s Bazar.

Repatriation Agreement: 

In 2018, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation agreement. Rohingya refugees were not eager to return to Myanmar. They were skeptical of their warm gesture who they once regarded as neighbors. Rohingya leaders were not convinced of the sincerity of the process. They demanded safety upon their return to the Rakhine state. Their reinstatement of citizenship before any consideration would be given to repatriation.

On the other hand, Myanmar held fears that the Rohingyas could turn rebellious. They could solicit support from neighboring Islamic countries. The Myanmar government refused to let down its guard. Thus, it was no surprise that the repatriation agreement had little success.  The Myanmar government refused to let down its guard. Thus, it was no surprise that the repatriation agreement had little success. The January 2021 coup in Myanmar slowed down the resuscitation of repatriation talks. Both governments have only begun talking again in February this year. 

Struggles of Rohingya in Refugee Camps 

Fires are not the only obstacles the Rohingyas who have managed to flee Myanmar face. Bangladesh struggles with inadequate resources to cater to the needs of the refugees. The camps are overpopulated, and poor sanitary conditions abound. The risk of an outbreak of disease is always high. Inadequate medical facilities can exacerbate the danger. The available water supply is often contaminated and spreads waterborne diseases. Floods also contribute to rendering refugees homeless again. Most of the population is illiterate. 

Children do not have access to primary education. There are prohibitions on teachers from using both the Bangladeshi and Myanmar curricula. Children are not allowed to enroll in schools outside the camp. Camp occupants are barred from working outside the center. The Bangladeshi government sped up construction at Basan Char in 2019. 

Approximately 20,000 Rohingya refugees were ousted to the Island without any consent. They are not allowed to leave the Island with UN communication restrictions. 

Humanitarian Aid to Rohingya: 

Refugee rescue cases at sea are on the rise. Yet, their reunion with families is not adequate. The government overlooks the outcry and concerns about the safety of the Island. Bangladesh received criticism for handling the crisis. Notably, Bangladesh was once the only country that accepted refugees. At that time, others had turned their backs on them.

Support for Rohingya: 

Repatriation is a step in the right direction. The underlying issues should be resolved. Villages have reportedly been razed down. There are accommodations and construction of police barracks, buildings, and refugee camps. They will not be returning to the security of having homes and lands to call their own.

In 2021, the military takeover put the Rohingya in a precarious situation. The military was at the helm of affairs. The group has legitimate reasons to fear repatriation agreements. But, the agreements may be disregarded in favor of military promulgations.

Prejudices do not fade with government pronouncements. Effective measures should be in place to ensure that citizens obey the law. Discussions between the Rohingyas, Buddhist neighbors, and the Myanmar government. It can ease fear and build trust. The government tackles the concerns of the Rohingyas. 

Options for the Rohingyas today are limited. They can either embrace the hardship of refugee life or stay at ‘home’ and remain oppressed. I sincerely hope the story will not be the same in a year or two.

The post Attempting to Understand the Rohingya Crisis appeared first on UMR.

“So who is a humanitarian?” she quipped. Maybe it was my lack of self-confidence that made me break out in barely visible sweat. Maybe that was also what made me imagine a smirk on that five-year-old’s face. ‘’Well..er..’’ I began before I was saved by her mother’s interjection. ‘’Time for bed, young lady!’’

Meaning of Humanitarian

Issie’s question got me thinking hard. Who really is a humanitarian? People who dedicate themselves to making life a little more bearable for others. Particularly those plagued by misfortune, are typically called humanitarians.

They lend their voices in the fight or mission to curb violence, abuse, poverty, disease, hunger, discrimination, injustice, persecution, oppression and any other reprehensible act. Humanitarians are open to lending their skills and knowledge to causes in every nook and cranny of the globe. And with the advent of technology, they may do so from the comfort of their homes!

Beauty of Humanitarian

The beauty of the humanitarian field is that the key criterion for getting a leg in is simply being human. Degrees are good and networking is good, but being human trumps them all. I like to call this ‘’the human factor’’. Only human beings can empathize and every human being can! Empathy is the main ingredient of humanitarianism. Empathy propels human beings into action. It is this empathy that leads us to give. It is in this giving that we make other people’s lives better and our societies sane. 

Can we imagine a world where no one does anything for another? Is that even possible? I like to think being humanitarian comes naturally for you and me. Some people, though, are braver and more determined in this quest to touch lives. They leave all that is familiar and launch out into the unknown for weeks and years; they learn new languages, and new cultures just to be able to give of themselves to strangers who may never really regard them warmly as friends. Resolute in their goal to bring the plight of the marginalized to the attention of the international community, they campaign and advocate for justice and for change. They are at the forefront of projects and initiatives that strategize on how to provide unique solutions to problems in diverse communities. They are almost always at the mercy of terrorists, wars and other natural and man-made disasters, but still, they do what they do wholeheartedly.  

Epilogue

What has made them more ‘’human’’ than other humans?  I have asked myself this question severally and have always met my own silence intertwined with deep awe. In my opinion, these are the ones that deserve our admiration and applause; and the ones we should emulate. And if we emulate them? The universe guarantees us that ripples of our kindness will reach much further than we thought and outlive us. 

So the next time my niece asks what makes someone a humanitarian, or what is the human factor? I have my answer ready for her! I will confidently tell her that to be a humanitarian, you don’t have to be extraordinary. You just have to be a human being who sees and feels the pain of others – and do your own bit to make them smile, even if only for a while.

The post Factorem Humanis: The Human Factor appeared first on UMR.

The Lebanese Civil War, a protracted conflict from 1975 to 1990, left Lebanon in ruins, necessitating significant economic reforms. As part of these reforms, Lebanon’s central bank opted to peg the country’s currency to the US Dollar, promising a fixed rate of 1,507 Lebanese lira to $1, with a commitment to seamless currency exchange through local banks. However, this well-intentioned move backfired. Initially, banks accumulated US Dollars, which seemed stable.

This stability proved short-lived. In 2011, the US Dollar began to falter. In a bid to attract more deposits, Lebanese banks offered exorbitant interest rates to depositors. This practice evolved into a financial scheme resembling a Ponzi scheme, as newer deposits were used to pay the promised high interest rates to earlier depositors, creating an unsustainable cycle.

As concerns mounted, depositors rushed to withdraw their savings. However, stringent restrictions prevented them from accessing their funds, leading to a crisis of trust. Consequently, the Lebanese lira’s value plummeted by over 90%, resulting in hyperinflation. Basic goods became unaffordable, pushing Lebanon into a severe economic and financial crisis.

Lebanon is currently fighting one of the most severe crises in its history, as per the World Bank’s assessment, ranking among the top three global crises since the mid-nineteenth century. This economic catastrophe is characterized by a staggering decline in GDP, plummeting from US $55 billion in 2018 to a mere $20.5 billion in 2021.

Several factors have contributed to this dire situation, with the COVID-19 pandemic playing a significant role. Like many nations, Lebanon’s economy was severely impacted by the pandemic. The country heavily relies on income from its tourism industry, serving as a primary destination in the Middle East. However, when the pandemic struck, travel restrictions and border closures brought this vital source of revenue to a screeching halt. This sudden loss of income exacerbated the country’s pre-existing vulnerabilities.

Lebanon already grappled with stark wealth disparities, and the instability caused by the pandemic laid bare these inequalities. Approximately one-third of the Lebanese population lives below the poverty line, reflecting the dire socio-economic conditions faced by a significant portion of the citizenry. The youth unemployment rate is alarmingly high at 37%, while overall unemployment stands at 25%, further exacerbating the economic turmoil and contributing to widespread frustration and despair.

However, this stability proved short-lived. In 2011, the US Dollar began to falter. In a bid to attract more deposits, Lebanese banks offered exorbitant interest rates to depositors. This practice evolved into a financial scheme resembling a Ponzi scheme, as newer deposits were used to pay the promised high interest rates to earlier depositors, creating an unsustainable cycle.

As concerns mounted, depositors rushed to withdraw their savings. However, strict restrictions prevented them from accessing their funds, leading to a crisis of trust. Consequently, the Lebanese lira’s value plummeted by over 90%, resulting in hyperinflation. Basic goods became unaffordable, pushing Lebanon into a severe economic and financial crisis.

Along with the pandemic, the Lebanese economy suffered greatly due to the Port of Beirut Explosion in 2020, which killed 200 people and also caused a great deal of property damage. It not only caused structural instability, but also dwindled the water supply, and increased the deteriorating conditions in the country. There was billions of dollars’ worth of damage from this explosion. Due to this shortage of money, people are unable to pay their importers in cash. This has led to a number of strikes specifically with food suppliers and gas stations because wheat and fuel importers cannot get their money. Also, with the influx of Syrian refugees due to the unrest in Syria, it seems as if Lebanon has reached its breaking point and was never able to build back after their Civil War because frankly the country itself has never gotten a break.

In order to attempt to help gain money back, the government imposed a tax on WhatsApp calls, an app that lets one call or text whoever one may choose in any part of the world, for no charge. This $6 monthly tax angered people and led to government protests. The government soon cancelled this tax, but this once again exposed the instability of the country.

Due to the pandemic, the Beirut explosion, and inflation, Lebanon’s economy is in deep trouble. The citizens of Lebanon are in deep trouble considering the economic position of their country. This is a humanitarian crisis that the public needs to be educated on for the sake of humankind.

The post The Lebanese Economic Crisis appeared first on UMR.

The post Refugees and COVID-19: An Invisible Crisis appeared first on UMR.

Displacement demographics often highlight the impact on women and children. Ample research points to the fact that they suffer the most in any humanitarian crisis. However, the lack of information on older displaced persons is somewhat concerning. It requires painstaking research to gather information on this particular group of persons. One might be forced to draw the conclusion that there are no elderly displaced persons or that if there are, there are so few that overlooking them would cause no significant impact on displacement statistics. This article aims to call attention to the existence of older displaced persons and problems they face.

Perhaps, the UNHCR’s categorization of the older generation of displaced persons with the extremely traumatized, the chronically ill and persons with disabilities as ‘’persons with special needs’’ was to draw attention to the issues these set of displaced persons suffer but this grouping may have only succeeded in doing the opposite. Elderly displaced persons were unintentionally forced to give up their identity as a distinct group with their own peculiar issues and needs; and got lost within the larger identified special persons group. The lack of evidence showing any marginal improvement in the welfare of older persons buttresses this point.

Research is replete with reports of a re-occurrence of the disregard of their basic human rights; their needs not being considered nor met; and not being consulted in issues concerning  their own welfare. Sadly, it is often only in the process of repatriation or resettlement that older persons become visible.

In recent times, there are more than enough stories of elderly persons who make the decision to stay on in conflict zones or even families who take the painful and difficult decisions to leave their elderly behind in order to take a chance on being safe themselves. The women in particular take on the role of caregivers to orphaned or unaccompanied minors in IDP camps and lose the psychosocial benefits derived from these roles when such minors are resettled or repatriated. Examples include the sense of belonging to a family, particularly, if they are without their own immediate family; the acknowledgement of their roles as counsellors and support systems;  and the recognition and respect accorded them as contributors to the development of the society.

The sudden loss of a safe abode can be life-shattering for young able bodied persons, however this trauma is often multiplied when it concerns the elderly. In situations where flight becomes necessary, older persons are greatly disadvantaged. What psychological impact does being forced to give up one’s home at retirement age cause? What becomes of the roles they played in their communities and the social status or sense of fulfilment these roles provided them? How can the health and nutritional concerns associated with old age be met in such challenging situations? If they are strong enough to flee, for how long can they move from one place to another unaided? What happens to the dreams they had? Is there hope on the horizon for the elderly displaced?

Reports indicate that attempts have been made to resolve some of the problems they encounter. Listed below are some potential solutions suggested by the UN:

• Ensure there is identification, registration and an assessment of elderly persons’ needs.
• An immediate response to their needs and provision of day-to-day care.
• Ensure that partners, local and national authorities are aware of their needs and how to provide for them.
• The needs of elderly displaced persons should be considered at the start of any emergency situation.
• Design appropriate systems to detect, respond and prevent violence and abuse.
• Create programs that include older persons and make sure that they are kept informed of such programs.
• Design structures that disallow for the discrimination of older IDPs who are willing and able to work.

Acknowledging the many problems that elderly IDPs face is the first step towards working towards a better future. However, for now elderly displaced persons must continue to live with the hope of a better tomorrow.

*For the purpose of this article, elderly persons have been identified as persons 60 years and older.

The post Travails of Elderly Displaced Persons appeared first on UMR.

Although research studies suggest that integrating refugee children into the education system benefits both the child and the host country, refugee children are often positioned as a potential threat to the education system. Because of this, refugee children face considerable problems that impact their access to education.

Oftentimes, they are viewed from a deficit lens, focusing on what they lack and overlooking the strengths these children could bring to the classroom. Several intersectional factors prevent these children from recommencing their education in the host country and act as barriers to their academic progress:

•     Lack of school resources and shortages of school places: Schools have limited capacity and parents of refugee children cannot afford school supplies, transportation fees, any other expenses.

•     Strained finances: Financial hardships force refugee children, boys and girls, to work and financially support their families instead of attending school.

•     Grade placement: Some researchers favor enrolling students based on their academic level, irrespective of their age, others advocate for enrollment based on age, etc.

•     Literacy: Learning the language of the host country is a crucial factor for education as well as for social interaction. Language barriers often force students to drop out because they cannot cope with the bilingual curriculum of mainstream education.

•     Educational opportunities: Many have little previous schooling, if any, while others had interrupted schooling. Therefore, refugee children are often behind in all subject areas.

•     School environment: Resistance results from unfair treatment, racism, bullying, discrimination, marginalization, and even corporal punishment, turning the school into another harmful space.

•     Competing demands: Teachers are under pressure from challenges associated with teaching students who have experienced intense psychological traumas and are often not prepared for such an emotionally demanding task.

•     Transportation: Unsafe transportation to and from school is a major concern, particularly for girls. Incidents of harassment, physical, and verbal abuse are common.

•     Special needs: Refugee children with special needs or disabilities face the biggest challenges of all. They are at a higher risk of abuse and are often sheltered from the community. Resources to support their development are limited.

•     Traumatic past: Refugee children carry the weight of prolonged stress which impacts their ability to learn and interact with their peers. Many experience psychosocial isolation and struggle to communicate with others.

• Non-formal education: This form of education takes place in mosques, unregistered education centers, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Despite these efforts, formal education is still the only option for refugee children to continue pursuing educational opportunities and work in the future.

Refugee children are the most affected victims of the complex interplay of these factors. They are in dire need of access to education and additional support as they manage trauma, uncertainty, instability, loss, and violence. Safety in education allows healing to happen with schools being a space of positive social interaction and self-development. Refugee children experience a sense of belonging at school that helps them in processing the forced displacement by the brutal war.

Refugee children scattered in different countries and accommodated to different education systems are treated as a homogenous group, despite their diverse experiences and varying levels of trauma. Many have experienced intense ordeals associated with war, dislocation, and political conflict. They have witnessed atrocities, moved through different countries on their flight to safety, lost family members, or got separated from caregivers.

The ‘education crisis’ is labeled a humanitarian and a social justice issue. Humanitarian assistance is a relief-based, temporary approach. However, the ‘education crisis’ calls for a development approach with a longer time frame that addresses the language of teaching, certification of learning, and the availability of prospects to motivate families to enroll their children in schools and aspire for the future.  Education is a long-term process that prepares children for the future and allows them access to the job market with legal employment opportunities.

Education creates a sense of normality which supports children’s cognitive, physical, and psychosocial health. It is also a fundamental human right for all children – including refugees.

The post Importance of Education for Refugee Children appeared first on UMR.