“We don’t know where to go. We don’t know who will help us.” – Farmer facing the drought in Zimbabwe
Our Mission Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people driven from their homes by armed conflict, persecution, and climate-related disasters. We promote solutions to displacement crises around the world, maintaining our independence and speaking truth to power by not accepting any government or United Nations funding.
Editor’s Note: The names of refugees and displaced people highlighted in the report have been changed to protect their privacy and security. Letter from the President and Board Chair
Dear Friends and Partners,
As the current historic global refugee crisis unfolds, with more than 65 million people displaced — the highest number since World War II — and traditional, longtime U.S. commitments to refugee protection continue to erode, Refugees International (RI) is fiercely committed to its 38-year mission of defending and protecting the world’s refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs). In 2016, we witnessed a continuum of tragic images from the brutal conflict in Syria and the haunting fall of Aleppo to women and girls escaping gender-based violence in Nigeria and South Sudan, from the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and the approaching famine in Somalia and other parts of Africa. The need for lifesaving advocacy on behalf of refugees has never been greater. The humanitarian and human rights challenges facing refugees and people displaced within their own countries are greater than ever, therefore RI will not retreat from its core mission—fighting for the protection of displaced and vulnerable people and working to better the lives of those who have experienced incalculable loss and pain.
RI dedicated the past year to investigating a wide array of critical humanitarian crises and advocating for the protection of people displaced by conflict, persecution, and extreme weather events. Our staff met directly with refugees and IDPs to hear their stories and understand their needs, and then delivered actionable recommendations to officials and policymakers at the highest levels in the United States, at the United Nations, and in Europe.
Over the past year, the U.S. presidential election posed its own set of unique challenges for refugees and humanitarian actors alike. Refugees have also become central issues in elections in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is important to note that when the obstacles facing refugees are the greatest, RI rises to meet the toughest challenges. In this report, we detail the many crises confronting refugees today and RI’s critical work to address those crises throughout 2016. As a result of our efforts, tens of thousands of refugee men, women, and children found greater protection, aid, and assistance.
RI achieves this high-level impact and improves the lives of refugees and IDPs without accepting any United Nations or government funding. This approach allows our colleagues to speak freely and forcefully to officials and policymakers in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Many of you are familiar with our mission and achievements. We thank you for your continued support and your commitment to bettering the lives of displaced people around the world. And if you are new to RI, we are grateful for your interest and invite you to become an active supporter of our lifesaving work.
Sincerely,
Michel Gabaudan, President Eileen Shields-West, Board Chair
REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL 1 An RI team meets with Somali refugees in Dadaab Camp, TABLE OF CONTENTS Kenya—one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Dadaab’s inhabitants continue to face possible closure of the How RI Works...... 3 camp and involuntary return to Somalia. Middle East and the Syria Crisis...... 4 Turkey...... 4 Iraq...... 5 Europe...... 6 What is advocacy and why is Turkey...... 6 Greece...... 7 Africa...... 8 RI’s independence so important? Burundi & Democratic Republic of Congo...... 8 What is advocacy and why is the work of Refugees International so critical? RI’s staff members speak out and draw Kenya & Somalia...... 9 attention to important issues that need urgent attention and action by government leaders and UN policymakers. Our Southeast Asia...... 10 Rohingya in Malaysia & Thailand...... 12 advocates travel to some of the world’s toughest locations, examining the conditions facing refugees and internally Women and Girls...... 12 displaced people (IDPs), assessing the responses to those needs by local and international organizations. The Nigeria...... 12 humanitarian groups that respond to refugee and IDP crises view RI as an ally, since we can communicate needs and Uganda...... 12 Colombia...... 13 challenges through our robust advocacy in ways they often cannot. Since RI’s advocates do not live in the regions they Climate Displacement...... 14 investigate, and since the organization does not take government or UN funds, our advocates are able to speak freely. Zimbabwe...... 14 The alliances between RI and humanitarian aid groups ultimately strengthen assistance efforts for refugees. Myanmar...... 15 Refugees Summits & Conferences...... 17 Public Education Events...... 17 RI’s strategic advantage, the organization’s independence, and its ability to speak forcefully is needed now more than Ways to Give to RI...... 17 Our Supporters...... 18 ever. In today’s political environment, where refugees are often demonized and rejected, this ability to speak truth to Statement of Financial Activities...... 20 power is essential. RI stands alone in this respect.
2 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL Greece Washington, DC Turkey Iraq
Myanmar Thailand
Nigeria Somalia Colombia Kenya Malaysia Democratic Republic Uganda of the Congo
2016 RI Missions Zimbabwe RI Headquarters
How Refugees International Works
FIELD RESEARCH REPORTING ADVOCACY IMPACT
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2016 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Middle East Syrian Refugees in Turkey IMPACT and the In 2016, RI examined the critical issue of access to work for Syrian refugees “Over the past five years, RI has in Turkey. Syrian refugees reported major roadblocks to obtaining work focused on the enormous and Syria Crisis permits and jobs, jeopardizing their financial stability and security. RI’s seemingly unending Syrian Turkey analysis on work permits was one of the first on this subject. The humanitarian crisis—both inside Throughout 2016, armed conflicts report outlined the potential pitfalls should the work permit process not be and outside of the country. continued to dominate news from executed effectively and monitored closely. The goal was to assure that Though humanitarian conditions the Middle East. No other crisis Syrian refugees would be provided with improved access to lawful work. RI in Syria continue to deteriorate as captured the world’s attention continued to monitor the situation during subsequent return trips to Turkey. the conflict continues into its more than the tragic war in Syria. seventh year, it has been inspiring Images from war-torn Aleppo and to witness the ongoing the suffering of Syrian civilians development of the local Syrian trapped in the city gripped people groups that provide aid inside around the world. The global Syria. Their courage and displacement and refugee crisis dedication in the face of only deepened as Syrian cities, incredible odds and their including Aleppo, fell to the Syrian commitment to helping their government forces. RI conducted a fellow Syrians is inspiring.” –RI number of missions throughout Senior Advocate Daryl Grisgraber 2016 to assess the needs of refugees fleeing Syria’s ongoing In part as a result of RI’s civil war as well as the continuing advocacy, the US contributed violence in Iraq. nearly $500 million in humanitarian aid over the course of 2016, including aid for Syrian refugees across the region but also assistance to civilians suffering inside Syria itself. The U.S. aid provides emergency food assistance, shelter, safe drinking water, urgent medical care, humanitarian protection activities, and other critical relief.
Above: Scene of devastation in Aleppo, Syria. Left: Formerly internally displaced Iraqi children return to their home city of Fallujah.
4 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL Iraq The second half of 2016 witnessed ongoing fighting in Iraq with the battle for control of Mosul. Even though Iraq saw an overall reduction in fighting in the past year, 3.3 million Iraqis remain internally displaced, particularly in the central governorates. Ramadi and Fallujah had been liberated and fewer towns remained under siege, enabling more Iraqis to leave dangerous areas. A limited number of the displaced were even able to return home. But even with these positive developments, the conditions for Iraq’s internally displaced people (IDPs) remain extremely worrisome. ADAM’S STORY In October 2016, an RI team traveled to Iraq to assess the status of the Iraqi IMPACT Adam arrived in an IDP camp in IDPs. They found that only a handful of international aid agencies maintain RI’s advocacy on behalf of Iraq’s 3.3 northern Iraq early last fall with his consistent operations in central Iraq. Local groups continue to provide the million displaced people has contributed wife and six children. Before most regular response in hard-to-reach areas, but their capacity is limited. to significant increases in U.S. aid to reaching the camp, they passed The latter also holds true for the insecure areas around Mosul. The need for address the critical humanitarian needs. through a security screening center humanitarian aid remains significant across Iraq. The RI report on Iraq’s ongoing The RI report on displacement in Iraq, where families are often separated displacement crisis argued that the needs of IDPs across the country— Internal Displacement in Iraq: More for weeks at a time while the male including returns to areas perceived to be safe—must not be forgotten. than Just Mosul, was reported on a family members are examined as number of news outlets, including CNN possible security risks. Adam spent Essential Local Aid Groups in Iraq and Al-Monitor. Senior Advocate Daryl 18 days in the screening center While in Iraq, RI examined the essential work of local aid groups, which face Grisgraber focused public attention on while his wife and children stayed ongoing challenges that make their work dangerous and sometimes put the Iraq and Syria crises in numerous, at another facility. Once he passed their very existence at risk. These small local groups go where the impactful media interviews. the screening, Adam walked for 11 international humanitarians cannot travel and are essential but lack hours to reach an intermediate site. predictable funding. As a result, they rely on funding and materials from the RI’s sustained work in Iraq paid off in He waited there another 12 days larger international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), surviving by 2016. In September, the United States without his family until they could carrying out activities for the larger INGOs such as distributing supplies, provided an additional $181 million in all be relocated to the camp where doing needs assessments, or identifying IDPs in host communities and humanitarian assistance for critical they now live. Supplies and figuring out how to get aid to them. Their ground-level work is the backbone needs in Iraq. services are scarce in the camp of aid to the majority of towns and villages across Iraq. RI’s report and Adam’s school-age children highlighted the work of these local aid groups, which is invaluable. are working in tea service to earn Below: A majority of the 3.3 million displaced Iraqis—as well as Iraqi returnees—still depend on food assistance. money. Each day is unsettling for them, as the humanitarian situation only gets worse.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 5 CONTINUED ACTION EUROPE Turkey ON UKRAINE Europe and the countries on its In 2016, Turkey became the world’s largest host of refugees and asylum- In 2015, RI initiated efforts to improve frontiers faced significant seekers, with the majority—three million—having fled the conflict in conditions for the 3.2 million challenges throughout 2016, as neighboring Syria. Among the critical issues of security for and humanitarian displaced and war-affected Ukrainians they sought to manage the largest assistance to civilians within Syria, RI examined conditions for Syrian refugees impacted by their country’s ongoing influx of refugees since World War elsewhere in the region, including in Turkey. RI placed a special focus on the conflict with Russia-backed II. As asylum-seekers and migrants critical issue of access to work (see page 4). The goal was to assure that separatists. RI’s mission and advocacy from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syrian refugees would be provided with improved access to safe and lawful helped bring about significant and many other countries in the employment and, as a result, to financial and personal security. increases in U.S. funding for Middle East and Africa risked their humanitarian aid to Ukrainians. lives in the pursuit of better, safer Along with the Syrian refugees, RI also pressed the UN, the U.S., and lives on Europe’s shores, European Turkey hosts another 290,000 donors to support local aid groups leaders enacted policies that were asylum-seekers of other that were addressing the needs of the at odds with the right to asylum nationalities, including Afghans, most vulnerable. and most of Europe’s leaders failed Iraqis, and Iranians. These to show solidarity with the refugees struggle to live in dignity Throughout 2016, RI continued its countries on the frontlines of the in Turkey, given the lack of Ukraine advocacy. RI honored Station crisis. In 2016, RI traveled to the adequate protections under Kharkiv, an organization that has countries hosting the largest Turkish law and given that most humanitarian organizations and other actors provided aid to more than 150,000 numbers of these refugees. prioritize assistance to Syrian refugees. internally displaced Ukrainian people from Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. In December 2016, a team from Refugees International traveled to Turkey to RI arranged advocacy visits in assess how these non-Syrian refugees and asylum-seekers are faring. While Washington for the group’s founder the Turkish government has taken a number of positive steps to improve the and helped advocate for continued lives of Syrian refugees in Turkey— even holding out the possibility for humanitarian support and legal citizenship— protection measures available to non-Syrians are far fewer and assistance to the displaced. As a the poor quality of their living conditions is underreported. Turkey categorizes result of RI’s efforts, U.S. funding for people who are not Syrian and who have fled persecution in other countries aid to Ukraine grew to $51 million in as “conditional refugees,” allowing them to stay in Turkey only temporarily and 2016. Further, RI encouraged the placing heavy restrictions on them. This leaves the non-Syrians with greater State Department and USAID to uncertainty in the short-term and for the future. The RI team concluded that maintain experienced humanitarian the asylum system in Turkey does not provide equitable protection for all staff in Ukraine to monitor and refugees and has advocated for the asylum system to be updated to reflect improve U.S. and international current realities and to provide protection for all. assistance to Ukrainians living near
Left: Poster warning against dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossings. Above: Caseworkers helping refugees in the active conflict zone. 6 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL Turkey apply for government assistance. SARA’S STORY RI Out Front While in the Petra camp in “The insecurity and conditions of Greece, RI met with Sara, a the camps in Greece beg the 23-year-old Yazidi refugee, who question: where is all the EU was terrified for her infant money being spent and what is daughter. “It’s dangerous in the the EU doing to ensure its funding tent with the insects and the translates into real refuge and smoke,” she said. After her protection? Europe’s daughter was born, she was given governments have a responsibility a room in an old hospital building to solve the refugee and migrant that was part of the Petra camp. crisis in line with their international After two months, she had to obligations. And they have the leave the hospital building and moral responsibility to treat return to the harsh conditions in refugees, asylum-seekers, and Senior Advocate Izza Leghtas interviews a Syrian the tent encampment. She was couple on the Greek island of Chios. migrants with dignity and afraid for her baby’s health, a fear humanity. People who have fled exacerbated by the loss of her war, violence, or persecution first child during her flight into the Greece should not be paying the price for Sinjar Mountains of Iraq as she In October 2016, an RI team traveled to Greece to investigate conditions for Europe’s failures.” escaped ISIS violence. “I’ve lost asylum-seekers stuck on the Greek islands and mainland. The RI team one child. I don’t want to lose found more than 1,200 Yazidi asylum-seekers in shocking conditions in the – Op-ed by Senior Advocate Izza another,” Sara said. Petra camp near Mt. Olympus, a facility set up by the Greek government on Leghtas in The National Interest, the site of an old psychiatric hospital (they have since been transferred to “What Obama Should Tell the EU Below: Asylum-seekers and migrants without permanent shelter sleep in an abandoned different accommodation). on Refugees.” building in Greece. Women in the camp described the hardship of living in tents for months on end, especially during frigid winter weather. Few services were available for the many Yazidis who were tormented by the deaths and abductions of loved ones, victims of ISIS attacks on Sinjar, Iraq in 2014. Women in the camp had witnessed executions of their husbands and sons, and others witnessed or survived the mass enslavement of women and girls by ISIS fighters.
RI also met with asylum-seekers from Syria and Afghanistan stuck on Aegean islands for months without permits to travel to the Greek mainland as per the EU-Turkey agreement of March 2016, living in unsafe and inadequate conditions and anxious about the lack of clarity for their future.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 7 Africa Burundi and Democratic Africa is currently the site of Republic of Congo several major refugee crises—civil wars, extremist activities, unrest, Since 2015, a violent political crisis in Burundi has forced nearly 350,000 drought, and other people to seek refuge in neighboring countries. The Burundians have circumstances— that have moved across a region already wracked by severe insecurity and volatility. contributed to substantial In April 2016, a RI team traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) displacement. In 2016, RI traveled to examine the plight of the Burundian refugees, who faced further threats to several regions to investigate from the myriad armed groups operating in eastern DRC and who are also these crises and to follow up on targeted by Congolese security forces and migration officials who prey on missions from previous years. the vulnerable populations. RI advocated for a robust international response, required to protect and support Burundian refugees in the DRC.
“at Refugees international, IMPACT we can tackle the toughest After RI’s report release on unmet problems head-on. In 2016 needs and hidden displacement in that allowed us to mobilize Burundi, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian a response to hidden Affairs began work on a UN displacement in Burundi and Humanitarian Response Plan for demand accountability for Burundi, a first step toward increasing humanitarian presence crimes against refugees in and assistance, a recommendation Rwanda. I firmly believe in RI’s report. Following RI’s that when refugee rights advocacy initiatives in Brussels, the European Commission’s are under attack, there is Humanitarian Aid and Civilian no substitute for RI’s Protection Department (ECHO) fearless humanitarian pledged €5 million in aid for the Burundi crisis including—for the first advocacy.” time—humanitarian protection
–RI ADVOCATE MICHAEL BOYCE Senior Advocate Mark Yarnell with Burundian refugee and host community children in Democratic Republic activities inside Burundi. of Congo
8 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL IMPACT In February 2017, Kenya’s High Court SOMALI REFUGEE STORIES ruled that the government’s moves to Mahat, a Somali refugee in the close Dadaab were unconstitutional Dadaab camp, said that people and would be tantamount to are not returning to Somalia persecution. RI was one of several willingly, but they are organizations working to keep Dadaab concerned about what the open. RI applauded the High Court’s Kenyan government will do if decision in a public statement they do not leave. “Maybe the immediately following the ruling, while government will beat us or set also pointing out that “donors must the refugee camp on fire.” She reaffirm their financial support for said that government officials assistance programs in Dadaab,” as have been heard on local radio well as commit to other measures in saying, “We are going to show order to reverse the damage done by you the way to go back if you the threats made to close Dadaab. In don’t go on your own.” A young addition, Senior Advocate Mark Yarnell man sitting next to her said, engages the public and policymakers, “But if we go back to Somalia, Kenya and Somalia speaking to the media and at public we’re going to be slaughtered.” events focusing on Africa’s refugee and The Dadaab camp in Kenya is one of the largest refugee camps in the displacement crises. He spoke at world and has been crucial to sustaining the lives of Somali refugees ever Another refugee, a 17-year-old events at the Center for Strategic and since the government of Somalia collapsed in 1991. Somalia continues to boy who tried to return to International Studies and the Woodrow be plagued by political and humanitarian crises. The Dadaab camp is Somalia, was threatened by the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. crucial to the survival of more than the 200,000 refugees who live there, members of the armed group providing relative safety, shelter, humanitarian assistance as well as access Al Shabaab and was compelled to education. In 2016, the Kenyan government announced it would close to come back to Kenya. Such the camp by the end of the year and subsequently put pressure on the stories underscore how Somali refugees to return to their homeland despite continued insecurity important Dadaab is to those there. In September 2016, RI advocates traveled to Kenya and Somalia to who are still unable to return assess the treatment of refugees in Dadaab and to investigate conditions safely to Somalia. for returnees to Somalia. RI’s mission inside Somalia was unique—few humanitarians travel outside the capital at this time given the ongoing instability and lack of security.
Above: RI staff traveled to Kenya and Somalia to examine conditions for both Somali refugees and returnees. 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 9 southeast Rohingya in Malaysia IMPACT asia Senior Advocate Daniel Sullivan and Thailand provided his assessment of Aung San Suu Kyi’s handling of the The election of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Myanmar, the Rohingya in Myanmar in the Harvard political party headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former political International Review. His article, prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi, marked a historic moment for Myanmar. The “Aung San Suu Kyi’s Ultimate Test,” political transformation of the country held out hope for the Rohingya warned of the high likelihood of people, the country’s vulnerable Muslim minority population. However, little atrocities against the Rohingya and has changed in the treatment of the Rohingya, and violence in the Rakhine even of possible genocide. Dan has State has increased. As Suu Kyi and the NLD moved beyond their first six been a featured speaker at several months in power, addressing Myanmar’s human rights and humanitarian public events advocating an end to challenges remained among their greatest tests. the violence and discrimination targeting the Rohingya. His written Stateless and facing persecution in their homeland, Rohingya have fled testimony was featured at a Tom Myanmar, seeking refuge in neighboring countries across Southeast Asia. In Lantos Human Rights Commission HASSAN’S STORY 2016, RI traveled to Malaysia and Thailand to assess conditions for the Congressional Hearing on the Hassan, a 22-year-old Rohingya refugees. Surviving harrowing sea crossings and abuse by corrupt Rohingya. He is frequently sought Rohingya refugee in Thailand, and violent human traffickers, the Rohingya face a wide range of additional out for his expertise on the Rohingya was held for four months in a challenges as refugees—lack of access to work, education, and healthcare, and the escalating violence in human trafficking camp. As a as well as long-term or permanent separation from family—leaving these Myanmar’s Rakhine state and was former religious student, he refugees, who are often called the world’s most vulnerable people, still included in an article by the was tasked with saying prayers adrift and at significant risk. Thomson Reuters Foundation called over those who died in the “Experts Views—How to solve the camp. During his time in the RI’s reports, statements, and continued advocacy have helped to increase escalating violence in Myanmar?” camp, Hassan said prayers attention to the plight of the Rohingya and contributed to some concrete over 45 dead bodies. When RI progress. For example, RI’s call for an international independent met him, Hassan was waiting to investigation in Rakhine state has been echoed by the UN’s top human testify in a high-level human rights officials and a key recommendation from the November 2016 report trafficking trial. He feared for gained traction when Malaysia’s deputy prime minister announced a pilot his safety, recounting that a work permit program for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. friend and fellow witness had Right: Senior Advocate Daniel Sullivan with Rohingya refugee children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. recently faced death threats.
10 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL SHAFIKAH’S STORY Fleeing Myanmar during the height of the boat crisis, Shafikah, a 13-year-old Rohingya refugee, survived by treading water for six hours when her ship capsized. Now in Malaysia, Shafikah never travels far from her family’s house because she is so terrified of being detained. Trapped in her family’s two- room apartment, she draws in a coloring book to pass the time. Her mother brought her on the dangerous ocean crossing to Malaysia in the hope of a better life and an education. Now, however, there is little hope that she will ever attend school.
Like Shafikah (see story above), this Rohingya girl in Penang, Malaysia faces a new set of challenges as a refugee, including lack of access to healthcare and education.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 11 Women and girls IMPACT RI played an important part in the OVER THE COURSE OF 2016, DISPLACED AND REFUGEE WOMEN AND GIRLS FACED TARGETED AND effort to increase international staff in EXCEPTIONAL DANGER AND THE CONSTANT THREAT OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE—RAPE, SEXUAL Nigeria to address the needs of ASSAULT, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, RI PLACED A HIGH PRIORITY ON ADVOCACY woman and girls. In particular, RI FOR IMPROVED HUMANITARIAN RESPONSES THAT ELEVATE THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF WOMEN AND focused on the need for greater GIRLS, CONDUCTING FIELD MISSIONS TO NIGERIA, UGANDA, AND COLOMBIA. protection in northeast Nigeria with an emphasis on helping those affected by Boko Haram violence, treating Nigeria them as survivors and not as potential Despite intense international attention surrounding Boko Haram’s campaign security threats. Further, in late 2016, against women and girls, sustained humanitarian assistance has yet to the U.S. government announced $92 “We hired a driver to occur. RI traveled to Borno State, Nigeria in early 2016 to advocate for aid million in additional aid to Nigeria to response tailored to the needs of women and girls, as well as to highlight address these issues. take us to the Oraba the links between food assistance by the international community and Top photo below: An internally displaced girl in border point. When we prevention of sexual violence. RI found that humanitarian politics and a lack Maiduguri, Borno, one of the most conflict- of government response to the crisis are placing women and girls affected affected states in northeast Nigeria. reached Kimba, there by Boko Haram at further risk of gender-based violence. were two soldiers. They told the women to get Uganda out, to remove their In 2016, RI traveled to Uganda, which faces one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing refugee crises. The implosion of South Sudan has forced clothes and lie down. more than 1.5 million refugees to seek asylum in the region, with Uganda The children saw their now hosting an estimated 700,000 of those refugees. Thousands continue mothers get raped.” to arrive daily, and the United Nations Refugee Agency forecasts that 925,000 South Sudanese citizens could reach Uganda by year’s end. Of –SOUTH SUDANESE WOMAN, BIDIBIDI REFUGEE SETTLEMENT those registered through December 2016, 86 percent were women and children fleeing war, hunger, and appalling acts of gender-based violence. No emergency response is perfect, but the Ugandan government and aid agencies deserve great credit for receiving South Sudanese refugees in a dignified and protective manner. The Ugandan government’s highly accommodating policy toward refugees has facilitated humanitarian access and has had a dramatic, positive impact on the lives of South Sudanese refugees—something that no amount of international aid can replace.
12 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL IMPACT Shortly before the Colombian peace agreement was adopted, Refugees International brought Fatima Muriel de Florez, a Colombian women’s rights activist to New York and Washington, D.C. MARTA’S STORY In meetings with UN and U.S. When Marta was 24-years-old, Colombia officials, Fatima shared her she was kidnapped by an armed After 50 years of brutal civil war that has seen more than 200,000 inspiring story as a survivor of group in Colombia. She was Colombians killed and millions displaced, the peace agreement between Colombia’s decades-long civil war. subjected to forced labor, the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Overcoming displacement, mutilation, and rape, which left Colombia (FARC) was cause to celebrate. However, substantial challenges violence, and loss of family her pregnant. After she escaped, still threaten the prospects for a sustainable peace. members, Fatima works to raise Marta sought assistance from the voices of other Colombian the government’s Unit for In September 2016, RI conducted a mission that focused on the needs and women who have suffered gender- Assistance and Integral concerns of conflict-affected women and used their stories and based violence and suffered Reparation to Victims (UARIV), perspectives to inform the humanitarian community’s next steps in the tremendous losses. RI Senior but when she spoke to RI, Marta peace process. RI found that the government’s Unit for Assistance and Advocate for Women and Girls had only received one payment Integral Reparation to Victims (UARIV) has frequently delayed or failed to Francisca Vigaud-Walsh escorted and was not receiving any other undertake the Plan for Attention, Assistance and Integral Reparation Fatima to these meetings to raise assistance. Homeless and out (PAARI), a needs assessment which defines what forms of assistance a awareness about the plight of of options, Marta has to resort victim is entitled. Colombia’s women, who still face to prostitution to take care of further displacement and violence her son, working in a brothel Many of the civilians with whom RI met, particularly women, highlighted the as Colombia’s peace agreement is controlled by one of the armed lack of benefits that the government had promised to victims. One implemented. groups from which she fled. displaced women said the help the government had promised for Sadly, Marta’s situation is not psychological support and other assistance “simply doesn’t come.” Another unique, and many armed displaced women remarked, “Our rights are still being violated, while the groups prey on vulnerable FARC fighters get the benefits.” women. Despite her situation, Marta has not given up hope Photos this page: Women who have survived Colombia’s decades-long conflict work to secure reparations and still struggles to navigate and to establish peace. Colombia’s system for aiding those affected by the war.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 13 climate displacement IMPACT After the release of RI’s report, the U.S. government announced Zimbabwe it would release $54.5 million in After three consecutive years of inadequate rains compounded by El Niño, additional funding for Zimbabwe Zimbabwe is facing its worst drought in 35 years. Further exacerbated by to address the famine. As called ongoing political and economic instability, many regions of the country are for in the RI report: suffering from chronic underdevelopment, along with an inability to grow A STORY OF crops. In mid-2016, an RI team traveled to Zimbabwe to raise awareness of • USAID and others donors CLIMATE DISPLACEMENT this ongoing crisis and the possibility that conditions could rapidly increased humanitarian A school teacher in Zimbabwe said deteriorate. In addition, RI sought to examine the drought’s impact on funding for drought three children had recently children and those with HIV/AIDS, many of whom need to take their response to Zimbabwe; collapsed in class due to hunger. medication with food. • Water, sanitation, and A government-led, primary school hygiene (WASH) funding lunch program for the youngest increased; and students should have launched in • Organizations pledged that June 2016, but RI found no additional humanitarian evidence that the program had staff would be deployed to been implemented. While the Zimbabwe over next several government had reportedly months. purchased maize (a type of food mix made from corn) for the In addition, Climate students, schools lacked the Displacement Program Manager utensils and additional ingredients Alice Thomas delivered public to prepare the maize in edible presentations on climate form. A number of children change and displacement at the dropped out of school to forage for Sierra Club’s Training for food. In one village, residents Climate Campaigners course reported that several girls left to and another presentation on engage in survival sex, something climate change, displacement, that had never happened in that and gender at the Humphrey village before. Fellows Annual Global Forum.
Right: Farmers in Zimbabwe struggle against three years of drought, compounded by the impacts of El Niño.
14 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL Myanmar Following up on our 2015 report on the devastating impact of floods in ri out front Myanmar, RI returned in late-2016 to continue advocating for those who RI is working with the UN remain displaced by climate-related disasters. RI’s report revealed that Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to many displaced communities were already located in the poorest and most develop guidelines for conflict-ridden areas of the country, creating additional challenges and planned relocation that will increasing the likelihood of further displacement. In addition, RI highlighted help the situation in Myanmar. that inconsistent humanitarian support in response to the floods increased RI is advocating for the likelihood that more families would decide to move abroad or relocate communities to be effectively elsewhere within Myanmar. Our report called on the Myanmar government consulted in this process. to help those displaced by the floods and enhance their resilience to future On a more global level, RI disasters. We urged the government to work with partners to build its Climate Displacement technical capacity to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on Program Manager Alice displacement and migration. Thomas has contributed to the Climate Displacement Task Photos to the left and below: Following the massive floods and landslides in Myanmar in 2015, these villagers Force set up under Paris A STORY OF lost their homes, livelihoods and, in some cases, the land on which they lived. Finding new places to live has been a struggle, resulting in some having been forced to relocate by the government. Climate Change Agreement CLIMATE DISPLACEMENT and continues to attend In Rakhine state, a family lost its meetings shaping its focus. home and the 40-foot plot on As a result of our advocacy which it stood to the 2015 efforts over the past year, RI floods. The family members has secured better monitoring were swept away when the river of these vulnerable bank collapsed but amazingly, populations—in Myanmar and they survived. They rebuilt their other locations - successfully home inland, but it was addressing the significant inundated again during above- protection risks. However, normal flooding in 2016, and 20 given both the rapid pace of more feet of their land fell into climate change and the the river. The village administrator enormous competing is now working with township demands on the humanitarian authorities to relocate the entire system, the need for strong village of 97 households. “I’m advocacy to prevent and pretty sure in five years this address climate displacement whole village will be submerged is more important than ever. by the river,” he said.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 15 concerns for internally displaced 2016 Refugee people in the Declaration. RI also 2016 RI Public Education Events pushed for the Declaration to include Refugees International hosted a In November, friends of Refugees Summits and measures and actions to prevent number of impactful events over International convened for the 14th disaster and climate induced Conferences the course of 2016. The RI Annual Annual New York Circle event displacement. Senior Advocate Mark In May 2016, RI staff members Gala featured a keynote address by which featured a discussion with Yarnell attended the UN summit and participated in the 2016 Military Sir Richard Branson, the winner of Fatima Muriel de Florez, a Director of Policy and Advocacy Hans Justice Committee of the Americas RI’s McCall-Pierpaoli Award. Colombian women’s rights activist Hogrefe attended multiple events on conference in Montevideo, Uruguay. Branson was recognized by RI for who shared her own inspiring story the sidelines. Moving forward, RI will At the request of the U.S. Army’s his leadership in global efforts to of loss, displacement, and activism engage UNHCR as the agency leads Southern Command, RI Advocate end conflict, address complex in the midst of Colombia’s decades- the development of a Refugee Michael Boyce gave a presentation global issues, and establish long civil war. Compact on Equitable Responsibility on the use of force to protect sustainable healthcare models in Sharing in 2018. civilians in UN peacekeeping underdeveloped countries. operations. Senior Advocate Following the December 2015 The evening also featured the Francisca Vigaud-Walsh discussed announcement that President presentation of our Congressional approaches to prevent and respond Obama would host a Leaders’ Leadership Award to Senator Ben to sexual exploitation and abuse. RI Summit on Refugees in September Cardin (D-MD) and our Richard C. contributed to a white paper on 2016, RI briefed State Department, Holbrooke Award to Olena these topics for Latin American White House, and UN staff on key Honcharova, a civil society leader troop contributing countries. issues to be raised at the summit. in Ukraine. RI’s report on work permits for In the fall of 2016, the UN and the refugees in Turkey was one of the U.S. hosted two major summits first on this subject since Turkey’s “WE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RETURN focused on the global refugee and announcement to allow work TO OUR HOMES. SO I DECIDED I NEEDED TO COME TOGETHER WITH migrant crises. Before the UN summit, permits for Syrian refugees. RI RI staff traveled to New York to President Michel Gabaudan OTHER WOMEN–AND COME TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU– engage in coordinated civil society attended the summit in New York. WARM-HEARTED, KIND PEOPLE LIKE YOU. WHEN I MEET PEOPLE advocacy with the event co-chairs The summit met its goal of pledges (the permanent representatives to for “improved access to lawful LIKE YOU, I REALIZE THAT WE’RE NOT ALONE. I SEE THAT THERE the UN for Jordan and Ireland) during work” for more than one million the negotiations for the summit’s refugees worldwide. RI will continue ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE SUPPORTING US.” outcomes document—now known as to engage on next steps as – FATIMA MURIEL DE FLOREZ, COLOMBIAN WOMEN’S ACTIVIST (IN PHOTO ABOVE) the New York Declaration. RI’s efforts discussions continue regarding the focused on ensuring the inclusion of fulfillment of the stated pledges.
16 REFUGEESREFUGEES INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL Ways to Give “We must continue to use our energy to fight on behalf President’s Advocacy Society Donors of $1,000 or more receive exclusive of refugees and against inhumanity and injustice…that is opportunities to engage with the Refugees International president as well as with advocates who have recently returned from what Refugees International does so remarkably well field missions.
Online day in and day out.” Make a secure contribution on our website – SIR RICHARD BRANSON, 2016 MCCALL-PIERPAOLI AWARD RECIPIENT at: refugeesinternational.org/donate. Mail Make checks payable to: Refugees International 2001 S Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20009 Combined Federal Campaign The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) gives federal employees the opportunity to give to charitable organizations via a payroll deduction. Please consider giving to RI using CFC #10664. Gifts of Stock and Planned Gifts Please contact the Development Department at 202-828-0110, ext. 204 or [email protected].
We would be so grateful if you would notify us when you name Refugees International in your will. We would like to thank you for your lifesaving gift to help the world’s most vulnerable people.
Refugees International is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. U.S. federal tax ID #52-1224516. Sir Richard Branson addressing the 37th Refugees International Anniversary Dinner.
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 17 Lifesaving Supporters Visionaries leaders advisors $75,000 or more $15,000–$24,999 $5,000–$9,999 $2,500–$4,999
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Dr. Scholl Foundation Abacus Technology Corporation The Advocacy Group Anonymous (4) Global Impact Dima AlFaham Amalgamated Bank Elizabeth and Michael Galvin The Honorable C. Boyden Gray Alston & Bird LLP Petra and Hans Andersen Google L`Oreal American Trucking Associations Anonymous (2) NoVo Foundation Demet Öger Anonymous (3) Ruth and Jeff Barker and the Nelson Mead Fund Helle Randam Trust Quinn Emanuel Foundation AT&T, Inc. Michael and Jennifer Caputo Eileen Shields-West, Robin West, Repsol The Blackstone Charitable Foundation Sabine and Richard Chalmers and the Concordia Foundation Schmidt Family Foundation Employee Gifting Brimstone Fund and Cristy West Choate Hall & Stewart LLP Jan Weil and Amos Avgar Benefits Program Brito Family Foundation CSX Transportation, Inc. Katherine and Andrew Stephen Citigroup Inc. Sylvia deLeon and Lynn Coleman and the Field-Stephen Foundation Colbert Family Fund of Coastal Tami and Jeff Dierman Humanitarians Tuft and Co. Community Foundation of SC Dior Sandra Sennett Tully and Bruce Tully Comcast NBC Universal Katucha and Luis Felipe Dutra Leite $50,000–$74,999 Varkey Foundation DCI Group, LLC Ann and Tom Friedman Chicago Community Foundation Michelle and John Woodley Ethan Allen, Inc. The Margaret and Jonathan M. Frist Fund Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation Trust Fiola of The Community Foundation Mark Meiners Nicholas Fox of Middle Tennessee Charles Steven Monat Foundation Ltd Karen Guberman and Raymond Kennedy Frontstream The Moriah Fund Benefactors Hearst Magazines Gannett Foundation World Bank Foundation $10,000–$14,999 Holland & Knight The Garcia Family Spotlight Foundation Home Depot Goodfriend Family Charitable Fund Anonymous (1) Hubbard Family Foundation Inc. The Betsy Gordon Foundation Changemakers Musa Utku Aslanturk and Ankara Restaurant Jackson Lewis P.C. The Robert & Mary Haft Foundation, Inc. Darcy Bacon Clora Kelly and Helge Skibeli Hanson Bridgett LLP $25,000–$49,999 Sarah Bacon L Brands Foundation Agnes and Kenneth Jacobs BNSF Railway Company Lamborghini Washington Eliana and Simon Jacobs Anita and Ken Adams Bradley Charitable Fund Laura and Greg Lane Helen and David Kenney Joy and Jonathan Alferness Caterpillar Linda Lipsett and Jules Bernstein King & Spalding Anonymous (1) Chevron Ashley F.T. McCall Carolyn Lamm and Peter Halle Lisa Barry and James Gale Kendra Davis and Joseph Trahern Debra and Michael McCurry Jean and John Lange Jeannien and Michael Berkman Christopher B. Galvin Family Foundation Holly McGhee Lurie Family Foundation Better World Fund Louise and Ralph Haberfeld Isa and Jon Moneypenny Maguire, Inc. The Nathan Cummings Foundation Diane and Michael Hawkins Darya and Vali Nasr Patrice and Herbert Miller Cheryl Feigenson and Jeffrey Tindell Silke and Craig Johnstone National Hockey League Foundation Dane Nichols Flora Family Foundation Irfan Kathwari Foundation Maureen Orth Nilan Johnson Lewis Liz Martinez and Nick Baldick The Reva and David Logan Foundation Platinum Advisors LLC Kristen and Nels Olson Patsy and Howard Norton III Tatiana Maxwell Joseph Schwartzberg Perkins Coie Amy Rao Vaithehi Muttulingam and Bala Cumaresan Annie Totah Seiden & Schein, P.C. Ridgewells Network for Good Total Ken Soubry Foundation, Inc. Nina and Dino Saglimbeni Sally and Steve Paridis and the Paridis Family Union Pacific Corporation Thendara Foundation Schaible Seidletz Foundation Foundation Visa Mariella and Michael Trager UPS Victoria and Roger Sant The Vranos Family Foundation United States Chamber of Commerce Frederica and George Valanos Amanda Seyfried Diana and Mallory Walker Caryn and Steve Wechsler Rachel and Alex Stern Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America Christina Weiss Lurie UBS Private Wealth Management, Dorothy and Kenneth Woodcock Maureen White and Steven Rattner Alexia and Roderick von Lipsey YourCause The Weiss Foundation
18 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL Marianne Gimon d’Ansembourg Pearson & Associates Jennifer and Jack Sullivan Friends and Alessandro d’Ansembourg Phelps Dunbar LLP Mark & Amy Tercek Foundation Richard Gluck Joan Platt The Women’s Association, Fifth Avenue $1,000–$2,499 Grand Trunk Western Railroad Co. Quarles & Brady Presbyterian Church Amy and Bryant Hall Christine Rales Evelyn Thornton H.M. Queen Noor al Hussein Timothy Hanford Nicole and Michael Reeber Gail and Richard Ullman Elena and Robert Allbritton Deborah Harmon Joe Reeder Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan and Jean Anderson and Pete Wales Marilyn Harris Dabaghi Republic Consulting Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan The Angelson Family Foundation Daniel Hefter Carol Jean Rholl Korrine and Douglas Van Ness Anonymous (2) Sally and John Herren Barbara and Bill Richardson Veris Wealth Partners Ben and Caroline Ansbacher Fund Amanda Hite Lionel Rosenblatt Deborah and Daniel Waterman at Alamance Foundation Richard Holwill Sandler Family Fund of the Community Laurie Jean Weil The Asgard of Maryland Foundation Hummingbird Fund of the Columbus Foundation Foundation of New Jersey Natacha and Anthony Weiss Eric Ask Hunton & Williams LLP Schmoyer Reinhard LLP Marsha Williams Ayenda Foundation Maxine Isaacs Leslie Schweitzer Janine and Jeff Yass Elizabeth Bagley Jenks Necker Charitable Fund Navin Shah John Bantivoglio Walter and Peggy Jones Fund of the Mary Bargeron and Erik Herzog Community Foundation of New Jersey Joy and Len Baxt Betty King Jane Bernstein Board of Directors Directors Emeriti Patricia and Frederick Klein Jodi Bond Eileen Shields-West, Chair Farooq Kathwari, Chair Emeritus The Koll Family Foundation Debi Boone-Meisel and Joel Meisel Elizabeth Galvin, Vice Chair Sue Morton, Founder William A. Krug Ghislaine Boreel and James Shallcross Andy LaBatt Amb. L. Craig Johnstone, Secretary Dr. James Cobey Meriko Borogove Lenzner Family Foundation Jeffrey Tindell, Treasurer Mary Louise Fazzano Cathy Brentzel Willee and Finlay Lewis Joy Lian Alferness Tom Getman Antoinette and Edward Brody Cassandra Ludington Pam Brown Sarah Bacon Susan Goodwillie Stedman Willa and Ted Lutz Brown Law Group Lisa Barry Alan G. Hassenfeld Lynx Investment Advisory Alexandra Burns Michael Berkman Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Bruce Mac Rae Mary Butler Angela and Michael Madnick Jane Best (ex officio) Lady Malloch-Brown Dawn and Tino Calabia Shaista Mahmood and Ambassador Rafat Mahmood Jodi Bond Judy Mayotte Nora Cameron Anne and Vincent Mai Marianne d’Ansembourg Constance Milstein Caufield Family Foundation Marlene and Fred Malek Matt Dillon Charles Monat Robert Chapman Marathon Oil Corporation Terrie Clifford Sophal Ear Sally Paridis David Marchick The David and Olive Coghlan Charitable Giving Charlene Engelhard Peta Roubin Diana Martin and Frank Burgess Fund of the Ayco Charitable Foundation Kathleen and Chris Matthews Michael Hawkins Sandra Sennett Tully Edward Cope Paul Maxwell Amb. Betty King George Soros Mary Crotty and Daniel Livingstone Bonnie Mayfield-Early Joanne Leedom-Ackerman Sam Waterston Niall Cunningham Judith Mayotte Michael Madnick Amb. Frank Wisner Didi and Walter Cutler McKee Family Foundation Davis Wright Tremaine Tatiana Maxwell Allan McKelvie Day Pitney LLP Vaithehi Muttulingam The Robert and Margaret McNamara Foundation #3 Council of Advisors Alison Deans and Richard Martinson Darya Nasr Martha Mohler Amb. John Danforth The Decker Rimmer Foundation Lane Montgomery H.M. Queen Noor Hadeel Ibrahim Deirdre Donahue and James Dahlberg Moose Charitable Fund Demet Lee Öger Kati Marton James Donald Catherine Mulligan and Andrew Senich Gov. Bill Richardson Helen and Ray DuBois Narnia Fund Juliet Eurich and Louis Thalheimer Peta Roubin Navigators Global LLC washington circle Forbes Tate LLC Tom Sadoski Mark Neuman Mariella Trager, Chair Frost Brown Todd LLC Nina Saglimbeni Roseline and Dennis Neveling Frost Lighting Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. Eric P. Schwartz Carol and James Furman Note: Jim Kimsey, who served as Board Abby and George O’Neill George Valanos Julie and John Garcia chair emeritus, passed away in 2016. The Dennis A. O’Toole Family Foundation Sam Waterston Alexandra Simone George Memorial Fund We are grateful for his years of service Marisa Parrella and Aaron O’Toole Jan Weil at the California Community Foundation Radha Patel to RI and honor his memory. Rachel Georgelas Natacha Weiss Helene Patterson and Leo Mullen
2016 ANNUAL REPORT 19 nd of ear Net ssets
Statement of Activities $2,500,000 and Change in Net Assets $2,000,000 $1,500,000
2016 2015 2014 $1,000,000 Support and Revenue Total Total Total $500,000 Contributions 1,921,338 1,917,454 2,238,424 Foundation grants 1,660,924 1,497,173 1,446,480 F 014 F 01 F 016 Investment income 164,638 1,151 46,689 In-kind contributions 257,523 170,179 115,367 6% Other loss (1,020) (1,864) 4% Total support and revenue $ 4,004,423 $ 3,584,937 $ 3,845,096 Revenue
Contributions
Expenses oundation Program Services: Grants 42% 48% In estment Advocacy 1,822,475 1,660,935 1,894,598 Income
Public education 1,007,079 962,979 893,828 In Kind Contributions Total program services 2,829,554 2,623,914 2,788,426
Supporting Services: TOTAL General and administrative 129,538 158,317 129,976 $4.0 MILLION Fundraising 342,336 299,261 285,133 Total supporting services 471,874 457,578 415,109 Total functional expenses $ 3,301,428 $ 3,081,492 $ 3,203,535 10% 4% Other Items 41,303 41,797 42,215 E penses
Change in Net Assets 661,692 461,648 599,346 Total rogram Ser ices Net assets at beginning of year 1,786,667 1,325,019 725,673 General and dministrati e Net Assets at End of Year $ 2,448,359 $ 1,786,667 $ 1,325,019 undraising
TOTAL $3.3 MILLION Please see the 2016 annual audit report found on RI’s website for details.
*includes foreign currency fluctuation
20 REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL Stay connected with RI and stay up-to-date on the latest refugee developments. Visit our website at refugeesinternational.org for our latest reports, blogs, and events.
Follow us on Twitter @RefugeesIntl Like us on Facebook at Refugees International Watch our videos on YouTube at youtube.com/user/refugeesinternational
Above: South Sudanese children climb a tree and play while at the Kuluba reception center in Uganda, where they wait to be transferred to a refugee settlement. 2001 S Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009 Email: [email protected] 1-800-REFUGEE refugeesinternational.org
Rohingya refugee children in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.