Refugees and Migrants Page Media Roundup (December 2022)

A mother and her children outside their makeshift shelter in Raama Cadeey IDP camp in Baidoa, Somalia. © UN Photo / Fardosa Hussein A mother and her children outside their makeshift shelter in Raama Cadeey IDP camp in Baidoa, Somalia. © UN Photo / Fardosa Hussein

Refugees and Migrants Page Media Roundup (December 2022)

By : Refugees and Migrants Page Media Roundup Editors

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the topic of refugees, migrants, and IDPs and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Refugees and Migrants Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. It is updated monthly. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each month's roundup to info@jadaliyya.com.]

Interagency statement: Military escalation could worsen suffering for vulnerable communities in Northern Syria 

There has been an increase in military action in parts of northwest and northeast Syria, resulting in fear of further conflict impacting populated civilian areas and crowded humanitarian displacement sites. Numerous humanitarian organizations call on parties to refrain from violence.

In South Sudan as aid fails to keep pace with spiraling hunger crisis 

7.7 million people in Sudan face severe food shortages, with 2.2 million people at risk of starvation. This crisis, accompanied by frequent flooding and ongoing conflict, has left vulnerable communities struggling. Approximately one million people have been forced to flee their homes to seek food and shelter.  

Warring Parties in Yemen Silent Amid Reports of Migrant Abuse 

Numerous UN experts informed the Saudi government and Houthi forces of a series of grave allegations concerning rights abuses against migrants and asylum seekers, including killings, torture, and sexual abuse. The experts warn that migrants passing through Yemen can be subject to forced labor, sexual exploitation, and forced to traffic drugs. There has been no response to these allegations.

WHO supports nationwide integrated immunization campaign in the midst of drought: 2.61 million children vaccinated against measles and polio 

With constant drought conditions and emanating displacements of populations, Somalia is experiencing a humanitarian crisis, wherein 3.6 million children under five years of age are at risk. The WHO has collaborated with UNICEF to support federal and state ministries of health to immunize all eligible children under five years of age from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

Thousands displaced by escalating conflict in South Sudan’s Greater Upper Nile Region 

The alarming increase in armed conflict in South Sudan has displaced at least 20,000, with 3,000 people fleeing to neighboring Sudan. This has intensified the refugee crisis in South Sudan, the largest in Africa. Women and children, along with other vulnerable communities, are at high risk of displacement. 

More than 11,000 children killed or injured in Yemen 

The conflict in Yemen has resulted in the death of more than 11,000 children. While the UN-brokered truce has significantly reduced the intensity of the conflict from the beginning of October till November, 62 children have been killed or injured. Hundreds of thousands of Yemen’s children are malnourished, require health services, and are experiencing a severe education crisis. UNICEF requests an increase in funding to respond to humanitarian needs.

Nearly 8.3 million people across Somalia face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity outcomes 

An updated IPC Acute Food Insecurity and Famine Risk Analyses conducted in November 2022 illustrate the cumulative impacts of consecutive seasons of poor rainfall and drought will lead to worsening humanitarian conditions. This has furthered population displacement from rural areas to internally displaced settlements in urban towns and cities. These settlements have high rates of malnutrition and food insecurity. 

South Sudan: UN Human Rights Chief urges end to violence in Upper Nile State 

In the last four months, at least 166 civilians have been killed and 237 injured due to armed clashes between rival community-based militias in the Upper Nile State of South Sudan. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, states these killings, in addition to gender-based violence, abductions, and destruction of property, are severe human rights abuses. Many civilians have been subject to forced displacement by the threat of violence.   

FIFA’s ‘Best World Cup Ever’ Came at Migrant Workers’ Loss

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reported their governing body is set to earn $7.5 billion in revenue. Yet, FIFA failed to commit to compensating migrant workers who built the $220 billion in stadiums and tournament infrastructure. While FIFA has a human rights policy, FIFA supported Qatar’s unsafe working conditions and wage theft. 

Somalia: FAO calls for fully funded, at-scale and sustained life-saving and livelihoods support to pull people from the brink of famine 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN requests funding to support the immediate needs of rural communities facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity and famine. The drought conditions have left pastoral and farming communities unable to cope and provide sustenance. This has contributed to widespread famine and displacement of rural communities. 

US$1.7 billion needed to support the most vulnerable in South Sudan in 2023 

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in South Sudan calls for $1.7 billion to assist vulnerable communities in 2023. This response plan addresses endemic violence, environmental disasters, food insecurity, education inaccessibility, and poor health systems. It prioritizes supporting people with urgent humanitarian and protection needs, particularly women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. 

North East Syria: Almost 7,000 children still trapped in unsafe camps despite 60% increase in repatriations in 2022, says Save the Children 

While repatriation rates have increased, violence continues to persist in North East Syrian camps housing displaced people following the collapse of the Islamic State. Over a month ago, in the most recent instance of violence in al-Hol Camp, two Egyptian girls, aged 12 and 15, were killed, and their younger brother went missing. 

Border security discussed at landmark Syrian-Turkish talks-Turkish official 

Turkey and Syria’s defense ministries engaged in border security talks to address terrorism, immigration issues, and territorial integrity. While Turkey hosts at least 3.7 million Syrian refugees, an official emphasized “that immigration from Syria to Turkey was no longer welcome” due to the negative public sentiment amid economic turmoil. However, Turkish and Syrian ministers affirmed the importance of continuing joint dialogues for the sake of stability in Syria and throughout the region. 

Libya says boat with 700 Europe-bound migrants intercepted 

The eastern coast of Libya’s coast guard has intercepted a vessel carrying approximately 700 migrants. This has been one of the largest interceptions in the last months. A statement notes the migrants came from varying nations, and those entering Libya illegally would be handed to their home countries. In recent years, Libya has emerged as a dominant transit point for refugees seeking a better standard of living in Europe.

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UN OCHA Yemen Humanitarian Update 

An updated report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen indicates an UN-brokered truce has reduced civilian casualties and internal displacement. However, the report also recognizes despite overall reductions, flood devastation has left 74,000 households with needs. The report discusses insufficient funding for life-saving response programs. 

Yemen: Conflict leaves millions of children without proper education 

An International Committee of the Red Cross press release reports Yemen’s armed conflict has contributed to an education crisis. More than two million children are out of school, and there have been instances where students and teachers have been killed and injured on their way to school. With displacement from armed conflict, many children grow up with unreliable access to education. 

Flooding, conflict, and hunger crushing the lives of South Sudan’s children 

In addition to inter-communal conflict and increased food prices, South Sudan has experienced widespread flooding in the last few months, leading to a hunger crisis. Children have become especially vulnerable to disease and malnutrition. Thousands have been displaced, and the UN estimates that 71% of the population requires humanitarian assistance. 

Cholera spreads across Syria putting vulnerable people at serious risk 

Northern Syria’s cholera outbreak has spread across the country. There have been more than 13,000 suspected cases, including 60 deaths. The outbreak has been linked to contamination in the water near the Euphrates, leading to water shortages. With Syria's 6.9 million internally displaced people, this outbreak is likely to contribute to an increase. Médecins Sans Frontières and local health authorities have been providing medical assistance and supplies. 

Insecurity and COVID-19 fuel refugee mental health concerns in Libya  

The World Health Organization reports COVID-19 pandemic led to a global crisis for mental health. Mental health services were disrupted as a result of movement restrictions and lockdowns. With the rise in unemployment during the pandemic, some asylum seekers and refugees in Libya faced increased anxiety. Dr. Hanan Al-Shremi, a psychiatrist in Tripoli, details the significant spike in mental health services from asylum and refugee populations due to financial and physical insecurity. 

United Nations calls for greater efforts to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan 

Numerous international organizations have noted South Sudan has the potential to be a large food-producing country. However, sub-national conflict in South Sudan has forced people to flee, leaving the country in a constant food crisis. Food insecurity is at unprecedented levels this year, wherein more than half the population is food insecure. The United Nations calls for concrete plans to address the causes of malnutrition and food insecurity in South Sudan.

Turkey prevents Syrian migrants crossing into Greece, group member says 

Turkish security forces dragged away hundreds of Syrian migrants who had organized themselves into a group called “Caravan of Light” from crossing Turkey’s northwestern border into Greece. 

Iraq: Iran Attacks Kill Civilians in Kurdistan Region

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards forces attacked offices of Iranian opposition parties in the Sidakan district and the Koya district and a residential complex in the Sulaymaniyah governorate. The attack in Koya hit a refugee settlement, injuring at least two children and killing a pregnant woman. 

Displaced women in South Sudan work to hold back floodwaters 

Following intense flooding, hundreds of displaced women have manually heaved water from roads used to deliver relief to a camp in Bentiu, South Sudan. Many camps in South Sudan shelter displaced people below the current water level, wherein they are at risk of collapsing infrastructure. More than 135,000 people in Bentiu rely on the roads between camps and the state capital for access to food, medicine, and employment. 

Stay or go: Palestinians in Lebanon plunged into poverty

While Lebanon’s economic turmoil has devastated the Lebanese, it has dramatically impacted Palestinian refugees. UNRWA reported many of these refugees are in poverty, living on less than $2 a day, and for the 210,000 Palestinians living in the 12 refugee camps and overcrowded surroundings, 93% of them are at the poverty level. 

Turkey: Hundreds of Refugees Deported to Syria 

Turkish forces have arrested, detained, and deported hundreds of Syrians back to Syria. In detention, refugees have lived in poor conditions, experienced abuse, and were forced into signing voluntary return forms. Refugees were driven to the northern border with Syria and forced at gunpoint to cross into Syria. 

Will Qatar and FIFA Remedy the Abuse of Migrant Workers? 

As Qatar intends on hosting the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022, serious concerns draw on the working condition of migrant workers building the tournament’s infrastructure. According to a 2012 Human Rights Watch report, Qatar’s kafala (sponsorship) system that binds workers’ legal status to their employer permits critical forced labor abuses, including charging recruitment fees, wage theft, and poor working conditions. The International Labour Organization has pressured Qatar to undergo reforms. Human Rights Watch calls on FIFA and Qatar to recognize and address the migrant workers who have experienced wage theft, been injured, or killed, and with families left in debt. 

EU funds border control deal in Egypt with migration via Libya on rise

The EU signed a deal with Egypt to support Egypt’s coast and border guards to counter irregular migration and human trafficking. The 80 million-euro program comes in response to increased irregular migration on Egypt’s border with Libya and Libya’s Mediterranean coast. The program will work to develop the Egyptian ministry of defense and government and civil society group capacities on “protection-oriented and gender-sensitive approaches” in border management.