'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.
The International Rescue Committee UK, Panos Pictures and ECHO held a viewing of a multimedia and photography project drawing attention to the plight of urban refugees. Speakers included Sara Pantuliano, Roland Schilling and Andrew McConnell, the photographer.
Smoke billows skyward as homes and buildings are shelled in the city of Homs, Syria.
License: Creative Commons
Credit: UN Photo/David Manyua
Source: UN Multimedia
Responding to the need for deliberation and coordination amongst humanitarian actors in Syria and neighbouring countries, HPG convened two high level roundtables. These brought together UN agencies, NGOs, donor representatives, and national and diaspora humanitarian groups to discuss the deepening political and humanitarian crisis, consider its impact on civilians caught up in the conflict and reflect on the response of the international and national community.
Refugee camp Iridimi near Iriba. Displaced women sitting in camp.
License: ODI given rights
Credit: IFRC
Source: IFRC
This event launches the 2012 edition of the World Disasters Report. The theme of this year's report is forced migration and displacement - people forcibly displaced by conflict, political upheaval, violence, disasters, climate change and development projects. Their numbers are increasing year on year.