This month, one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s longest-running conflicts may finally reach an inflection point. After months of political posturing, it appears that the international community will now launch a military offensive against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The Congolese armed forces (FARDC) will be expected to lead the…
The Secret Urban Refugees of Dar es Salaam
Earlier this year, I made my first trip to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in a search for some urban refugees. Although urban refugees are not officially recognised by the government of Tanzania, some organisations which work with the urban refugee population, such as Asylum Access, estimate that there may be over 10,000 in the city.
Kiribati – Facing what may be inevitable
Many I-Kiribati (as the people of Kiribati are known) recognize that despite both their desire to stay on their sacred land and their efforts to minimize the impact of climate change on their community, relocation to another country may be inevitable.
Kiribati – Planning for the future
The I-Kiribati (as the citizens of Kiribati are known) are a strong and proud people. Their culture – the katei or traditional way of life – involves a strong sense of personal pride, respect, and openness to foreigners. The I-Kiribati also have a deep spiritual connection to their land.
There’s No Such Thing as a Climate Refugee
Earlier this week, I joined members of the DC chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and a group of climate-conscious Washingtonians at the DC venue Bloombars to view Michael Nash’s film Climate Refugees and discuss our impressions of the film.
United Arab Emirates: Nationality Matters
It’s been five years now since Refugees International first visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to better understand and then call for solutions on behalf of the country’s stateless population – the bidoon. Since mid-2008 there have been a number of media reports indicating that change was afoot, and that efforts were being made to…