Project Title: Empowering Refugee Women and Youth Towards Self-reliance and Socio-economic Integration in the Philippines

This project is unique in that it is primarily led by the refugees for the refugees. The Philippine Government is a State signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, and at present there are around two thousand documented asylum-seekers and refugees in the country. There are also many internationally displaced persons with regular visas active or expired. There is lack of awareness about refugees in the country and how they live. As foreigners they have to rely on their own or from remittance from relatives overseas in order tosurvive. Many would go to the Community and Family Services International (CFSI – an NGO partner of UNHCR), for guidance and emergency support, but due to fund constraint, only the most vulnerable could be given priority. There is no resettlement program in the Philippines and returning to their home countries is often risky and difficult. Marriage with locals is common, but their families also do not understand much about refugees. Since refugees are outside of their countries for fear of persecution and threat to life, they could not rely on consular assistance even to renew their passports. There are around 80 youth refugees aged 14-24 year-old and more than a hundred active women in CFSI’s registry. Of the women, 84 are between 18-49 years old, and half of them are single. Most of them are living in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Based on consultations with the refugee youth group, their main concern is how to have a better future in the Philippines. For the women, they want to be able to support themselves or that their husbands get a stable income. Many youth wish to have meaningful connections with fellow refugees, but the women are selective of their friends. Refugees are at a greater disadvantage in the Philippines due to their condition as displaced foreign nationals. While being “protected” by the Philippine Government, they are left on their own. The lack of public understanding and awareness about refugees and how they should be treated often results in exclusion and even extortion. They are always set aside by HR and even if they already qualify, their refugee visa is not recognized. Too much rejection affects their self-confidence. This project targets the vulnerable youth and women of employable age. The general objective is to promote self-reliance and local integration by improving their capacities, self-confidence, and social connections to increase their chances of getting employed and have a stable income. Specifically, the project intends to accomplish the following:

1. To improve refugee self-image and build mutual support system and capital for self-reliance;

2. To develop the capacity of refugee leaders and project team to implement and manage the project with minimal support.

3. To develop life skills and employability of women and youth refugees leveraging on their multi-lingual capacity and diverse background;

4) To document and share the empowerment experience of youth refugees and help improve public awareness about refugees and their situation.

5) To link with local groups and network and increase company appreciation of unique contributions of refugees.

The Philippine Arab Cooperation Council Inc. (PACCI), initially a charitable group for the Arab community, has become a sanctuary for refugees and asylum seekers in the Philippines. Established on July 27, 2018, PACCI is a non-profit organization helping needy Arabs and their descendants, including refugees and asylum seekers. It is the only SEC-registered refugee-led organization recognized by UNHCR Philippines. PACCI’s five incorporators include Mr. Rafea El-Hawi, Atty. Alexander Bacarro, Dr. Johayrah Omar, Mr. Raed Ghandour, and Mrs. Liza Marie El-Hawi, with support from Presidential Adviser Sec. Abdullah “Dabs” Mama-O and Mr. Ahmad Alkhalaf. 

PACCI initially provided assistance through a WhatsApp group called “Lel-Musaadat,” meaning “for aid.” Through this platform, PACCI helped refugees during emergencies and deaths and organized activities like medical assistance. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, PACCI distributed 150 food kits to needy refugees and asylum seekers, including non-Arab refugees. That year, PACCI decided to include all refugees and asylum seekers in the Philippines, regardless of religion, race, gender, or nationality. 

The Philippines hosts many UN agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions that aid forcibly displaced and stateless individuals. As a refugee-led organization, PACCI believes it can deliver positive change for refugees, understanding their sentiments firsthand. In 2020 and 2021, Mr. El-Hawi participated in numerous interviews and meetings to assess the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in the Philippines. PACCI established good relationships with government agencies like the DOJ and partnered with local development organizations like CFSI. It also collaborates with local service providers to help refugees integrate into the community. 

In June 2021, PACCI submitted a project proposal to VOICE Global/Philippines to equip refugees and asylum seekers with skills to empower them and facilitate their integration into local communities. The project, “Empowering Refugee Women and Youth Towards Self-Reliance and Socio-Economic Integration in the Philippines,” began in May 2022. PACCI ensures inclusivity in program and activity planning, involving rightsholders from the beginning to implementation and evaluation stages. It encourages refugees to share inputs and participate in planning activities. 

The year 2023 was busy yet rewarding for PACCI and Mr. El-Hawi. In June, UNHCR Philippines invited PACCI to join the First Film Festival during World Refugee Day. The following month, UNHCR Philippines and the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) invited Mr. El-Hawi to critique the ‘Comprehensive Refugee Bill,’ attended by representatives from Philippine Congress, the Supreme Court, DOJ, DSWD, and various government agencies. In September, he was invited by the UNHCR Regional Bureau to attend the Preparatory Meeting for the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) and subsequently invited by UNHCR Philippines to join the National Preparatory Meeting for the GRF 2023. These accomplishments marked PACCI’s growing recognition in the humanitarian sector. 

In November 2019, Mr. El-Hawi was invited by the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) to attend a one-week advocacy training for refugee rights in Bangkok, Thailand. This opportunity allowed him to connect with different refugees across Asia. On 2021, PACCI was accepted as a member of the Asia-Pacific Network of Refugees (APNOR), and participated with the support of VOICE as one of the organizers of Asia Pacific Summit of Refugees (APSOR) on May 17-19, 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, along with five rightsholders from the Philippines. 

PACCI understands the UNHCR’s call to share responsibilities with organizations and host countries to aid refugees and strives to provide effective, practical, and sustainable solutions worldwide. Since implementing its project in 2022, PACCI has connected with hundreds of refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds. It remains dedicated to offering practical solutions to pressing problems like unemployment, access to education, and medical assistance. 

The VOICE-funded project has significantly impacted the lives of many refugees and asylum seekers in the Philippines and boosted PACCI’s name and credibility in helping them. UNHCR Philippines and the DOJ-RSPPU now recognize PACCI’s influence on refugee and asylum seeker issues. Mr. El-Hawi proudly stated, “We have made it clear that ‘NOTHING ABOUT US (REFUGEES) WITHOUT US.’ We (PACCI and the refugees) are being heard and listened to by Philippine legislators, regional politicians, and government decision-makers worldwide.” 

Mr. El-Hawi expressed his gratitude to VOICE “for giving us these milestones and opportunities to serve and help the refugees and asylum seekers in the Philippines.” He also extended deep appreciation to Community and Family Services International (CFSI) for believing in PACCI and partnering with them in this maiden project, the only refugee-led organization in the country.  

Throughout his life, Mr. El-Hawi expressed his compassion and empathy to people in countless 

ways. He applied his own inner strengths through adversities to empower people who faced similar hardships inspiring hope and courage in everyone he touched. His legacy and advocacy continues to guide the way for future generations, demonstrating that no matter the struggle, there are ways to overcome it. 

Mr. El Hawi ended the interview with his favorite song (“We are the World”, Song by U.S.A. for Africa): 

We are the world 

We are the children 

We are the ones who’ll make a brighter day so let’s start giving 

There’s a choice we are making. We are saving our own lives 

It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me… Yeah!