Project
Empowering Refugee Women and Youth Towards Self-reliance and Socio-economic Integration
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Amount Funded
181,872 EUROProject Duration
01 Nov 2021 - 31 Oct 2023 -
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Lead organisation
Community and Family Services International (CFSI)
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Community and Family Services International (CFSI) CFSI is an international NGO based in the Philippines established in 1981. It is a long-time partner of UNHCR and UNICEF for various projects including refugees and stateless persons. Its Urban Refugee Project (URP)works with the Department of Justice Refugee and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU) and UNHCR for refugee protection, durable solutions, and policy development. It promotes refugee participation and empowerment. CFSI-URP has an office in Pasay city with nationwide coverage.
CFSI will be the host for PACCI’s project with Voice. The Philippine Arab Cooperation Council Inc. (PACCI) is aSECregistered organization from July 24, 2018, with five (5)incorporators namely: Mr. Rafea El-Hawi, Atty. Alexander Bacarro,Dr. Johayrah Omar, Mr. Raed Ghandour, and Mrs. Liza Marie El-Hawi. Presidential Adviser Sec. Abdullah “Dabs” Mama-O was added later, followed by Ahmad Alkhalaf, a Syrian businessman. There are 27 councilors who are appointed leaders of various nationalities from the Arab countries. The group has more than 200 members, most of whom are refugees and asylum seekers, as well as a few non-refugees. Itstarted from a WhatsApp group established on Nov 11, 2017 called the “Lel-Musaadat” which- means “for aid.” When there is a member who is in need like hospitalized, disaster victim, person in detention, death etc. an appeal is posted in the chat group with the amount needed, and within 24 hours the money becomes available. Assistance is also provided for employment and business linkages when possible. Since many members are refugees, information is shared regarding asylum and refugee protection, policy developments, and refugee events. This organization also help Arabs in disseminating information regarding the Philippines. They translate news and other relevant information into Arabic and post them in the chatgroup to be circulated in all the other affiliate groups. Gossips, fake news, and Arab jokes and stories are also shared by members. With support from majority members of the Arab community, PACCI was set-up. Having a formal organization was deemed important to have a legal identity. The WhatsApp connection increases in number, and persons wanting to apply for asylum are referred to the Department of Justice and CFSI for assistance. As a recognizedrepresentative of the Arab refugees, Mr. Raffy El Hawi, the currentCEO of PACCI is often invited to speak on behalf of refugees and also represent the community in various gatherings. They were accepted as member of the Asia-Pacific Refugee Rights Network(APRRN) upon endorsement of CFSI and Migrant Forum Asia(MFA). The Refugee Youth Group was formed by CFSI in 2020 as consultative body for the refugee participation in the United Nations Youth Advisory Board where Ms. Josette Limbona, a refugee youth leader, was selected as representative for the sector of refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons. There are around 35 youth members in the group with various nationalities including Arabic countries. Most of them are living in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. Ten youth members serve as a core group. They hold virtual meetings at least once a month and as needed. They are not yet formed as an organization.
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Organisation
Community and Family Services International (CFSI) CFSI is an international NGO based in the Philippines established in 1981. It is a long-time partner of UNHCR and UNICEF for various projects including refugees and stateless persons. Its Urban Refugee Project (URP)works with the Department of Justice Refugee and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU) and UNHCR for refugee protection, durable solutions, and policy development. It promotes refugee participation and empowerment. CFSI-URP has an office in Pasay city with nationwide coverage.
CFSI will be the host for PACCI’s project with Voice. The Philippine Arab Cooperation Council Inc. (PACCI) is aSECregistered organization from July 24, 2018, with five (5)incorporators namely: Mr. Rafea El-Hawi, Atty. Alexander Bacarro,Dr. Johayrah Omar, Mr. Raed Ghandour, and Mrs. Liza Marie El-Hawi. Presidential Adviser Sec. Abdullah “Dabs” Mama-O was added later, followed by Ahmad Alkhalaf, a Syrian businessman. There are 27 councilors who are appointed leaders of various nationalities from the Arab countries. The group has more than 200 members, most of whom are refugees and asylum seekers, as well as a few non-refugees. Itstarted from a WhatsApp group established on Nov 11, 2017 called the “Lel-Musaadat” which- means “for aid.” When there is a member who is in need like hospitalized, disaster victim, person in detention, death etc. an appeal is posted in the chat group with the amount needed, and within 24 hours the money becomes available. Assistance is also provided for employment and business linkages when possible. Since many members are refugees, information is shared regarding asylum and refugee protection, policy developments, and refugee events. This organization also help Arabs in disseminating information regarding the Philippines. They translate news and other relevant information into Arabic and post them in the chatgroup to be circulated in all the other affiliate groups. Gossips, fake news, and Arab jokes and stories are also shared by members. With support from majority members of the Arab community, PACCI was set-up. Having a formal organization was deemed important to have a legal identity. The WhatsApp connection increases in number, and persons wanting to apply for asylum are referred to the Department of Justice and CFSI for assistance. As a recognizedrepresentative of the Arab refugees, Mr. Raffy El Hawi, the currentCEO of PACCI is often invited to speak on behalf of refugees and also represent the community in various gatherings. They were accepted as member of the Asia-Pacific Refugee Rights Network(APRRN) upon endorsement of CFSI and Migrant Forum Asia(MFA). The Refugee Youth Group was formed by CFSI in 2020 as consultative body for the refugee participation in the United Nations Youth Advisory Board where Ms. Josette Limbona, a refugee youth leader, was selected as representative for the sector of refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons. There are around 35 youth members in the group with various nationalities including Arabic countries. Most of them are living in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. Ten youth members serve as a core group. They hold virtual meetings at least once a month and as needed. They are not yet formed as an organization.
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Project
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.
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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.