This round-table organised by the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) brought together those with an interest in addressing the challenges of sustainable urbanisation and protracted urban displacement in Peshawar, Pakistan.
This World Refugee Day the global commitment to addressing the rights of urban refugees is in serious doubt.
Following a spate of grenade attacks late last year in Nairobi, and Somali militant attacks in the north of the country, the Kenyan Government retaliated with attempts to enforce the encampment of urban refugees. Collectively branded as a threat to national security, the 55,000 refugees living in Nairobi have had their lives and livelihoods made illegal.
License: ODI given rights
Credit: British Red Cross Society
Source: British Red Cross Society
'Many commentators agree that Gaza has been ‘de-developing’ for years, and with the blockade this process has accelerated. What this means is that the population is, through years of unemployment and highly constrained opportunities for training and education outside the Gaza Strip, becoming less skilled and poorer.'
A view of Jabalia refugee camp. Jabalia is the largest of the Gaza Strip's eight refugee camps. It is located north of Gaza City, close to a village of the same name
License: Creative Commons
Credit: Suhair Karam/IRIN
Source: IRIN
This event is scheduled to launch Sanctuary in the city? Urban displacement and vulnerability in the Gaza Strip, a look at internal displacement over the past ten years in Gaza. With a live video link to Gaza, this event will bring together Palestinian and international speakers to explore the multi-faceted effects of the conflict on civilians, and up to date assessment of how displaced populations have fared since the Pillar of Defence military operation in November 2012.
View of Complexo do Alemão, group of favelas in northern Rio de Janeiro
License: Creative Commons
Credit: Dhani Borges
Source: Flickr
On 7-8 February 2013, the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark will hold a conference on urban displacement. The event will bring together development specialists (donors, policy-makers, academics and practitioners) and humanitarian professionals to explore new approaches to addressing the plight of the urban displaced.
On 4 February the Humanitarian Practice Network brought together senior representatives of international organisations, NGOs, and UK government ministries working in relation to Kenya and Somalia. The discussion covered the implications of the 13 December announcement by the Kenyan government that stated it would no longer be registering urban refugees, and any refugees currently living in urban areas should relocate to designated camps. The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule and participation was by invitation.