Denmark contributes with USD 3 million to UNHCR emergency operations in Africa
The Danish Government’s recent contribution of USD 3 million will aid significantly in maintaining UNHCR’s present operations. USD 1 million has been allocated to the South Sudan crisis, USD 1 million is for UNHCR’s work with people being uprooted by the violence in DRC, and USD 1 million is allocated to CAR refugees who have fled to DRC. The donation, which is part of Denmark’s USD 8.8 million emergency support to UNHCR, comes at a most pressing time and UNHCR profoundly thanks the Danish Government. The donation adds up to Denmark contributing with USD 81.1 million to UNHCR this year, significantly increasing its support compared to 2012.
Increasing violence and political unrest in DRC, CAR and South Sudan have continued to force almost half a million people to flee their homes. Moreover, the rise in sexual and gender based violence towards women and children in particular DRC and CAR is alarming, enforcing the vulnerability of the displaced population. The volatile situation has increased UNHCR operations: refugee shelters and camps are under constant development and large resources are put in delivering live saving aid to people displaced by the violence. Denmark’s contribution will assist UNHCR in narrowing the funding gap particularly visible in DRC, which currently has only received 44 percent of the budgetary requirement.
“Denmark is an important donor and its emergency contribution comes at a critical time for UNHCR’s South Sudan, DRC and CAR operations which are in dire need of protection and basic necessities such as shelter; water; health care; sanitation; as well as registration and transport of refugees away from conflict areas. The donation will also help maintain UNHCR’s assistance to vulnerable groups such as children, which represent over 50 percent of the refugees,” says Pia Prytz Phiri, UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic countries.
After fighting broke out between the Ugandan rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and DRC army on 11 July in North Kivu in eastern DRC, some 66,000 Congolese refugees crossed into Uganda congesting the border transit areas. Massive efforts have been put in place to move people to other refugee settlements to receive further protection, shelter and assistance. In addition, fighting erupted between DRC government forces and the M23 rebel group, close to North Kivu’s capital Goma. A total of 967,000 people are displaced throughout North Kivu as a result of years of conflict.
Two years after gaining independence conflict remains in South Sudan. In March 2013 a new wave of fighting erupted in the Jonglei state between government troops and armed groups leading to massive human displacement in particular in Pibor County were most of the 148,000 inhabitants were affected. In addition, South Sudan hosts more than 221,000 refugees, of which about 200,000 refugees from Sudan.
In the Central African Republic, fighting between the national army and the rebel coalition Seleka resumed in March this year. The fighting and consequent insecurity led to widespread human rights violations marked by rape, torture, abduction, and looting. About 200 000 people were internally displaced and almost 50,000 sought refuge in neighbouring countries. UNHCR has registered about 42000 CAR refugees in DRC, more than half of them under the age of 18. More than 60,000 people have fled CAR since December 2012 and the total number of refugees from CAR in the region now stands at over 220,000. In addition, CAR hosts 20 000 refugees from neighbouring countries.
Denmark is one of UNHCR’s top ten donors. In 2012, Denmark ranked as UNHCR’s 10th largest donor with USD 58.1 million in contribution. UNHCR is almost entirely funded by voluntary contributions, mostly from governments.
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Danish emergency funding to UNHCR boosts lifesaving support to Congolese refugees
16.04.2018By late March 2018 tens of thousands have fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neighbouring countries, bringing the current number of Congolese refugees in Africa to 740,000.
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Danish Ambassador to the UN: Unrestricted funding is essential for refugee responses
24.11.2017In 2015, new refugee crises erupted in amongst other places Burundi, Nigeria, Ukraine and Yemen. The need for humanitarian assistance was acute and there was no time to wait for aid organisations to appeal to donor countries. As a measure of initial crisis response, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, used […]
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UNHCR’s observations on Denmark’s proposal to reduce the integration benefit
16.11.2017UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has submitted its observations on the Danish government’s proposal to amend the Act on Active Social Policy, the Integration Act and various other laws (Reduction of the integration benefit and change of bonus for Danish language level test). Once again, the social welfare integration benefit […]
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Denmark’s emergency funding offers lifeline to Venezuelans forced to leave their country
01.11.2017USD 500,000 from Denmark’s Emergency Reserve Fund will support UNHCR’s work to help the increasing numbers of Venezuelans, fleeing violence, insecurity and lack of basic services.
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From boat refugee to successful restaurant owner
31.10.2017Anh Lê, the owner of the popular LêLê restaurants in Copenhagen, was resettled in Denmark from a refugee camp in 1979.
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Denmark supports UNHCR with USD 6.3 million to meet critical needs of Rohingya refugees
30.10.2017More Rohingya refugees arrive in Bangladesh every day. The substantial donation from Denmark will support UNHCR’s efforts to develop a new site for the new arrivals to live.
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UNHCR’s observations to Danish law proposal on increased control in the area of immigration
25.10.2017UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has submitted observations to the Danish government’s proposal to amend the Aliens Act (Increased control in the area of immigration). When a foreigner has lost his Danish travel document more than once within a period of five years, he risks having to live without a […]
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“How long do refugees live in camps?”
20.10.20171,500 Danes visited UNHCR’s “Refugee Camp” in UN City in Copenhagen on the annual Culture Night.
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UNHCR’s observations on Danish proposal for new resettlement scheme
11.10.2017UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has submitted observations to the Danish government’s proposed amendments to the Aliens Act, introducing a new resettlement system. The amendments introduce a conditional quota scheme effective from 2018. Denmark’s participation in UNHCR’s resettlement program will be conditional on social and financial conditions, including the number […]
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”The profit largely outweighs the resources spent”
06.10.2017Roskilde Municipality has successfully teamed up with a Danish company to employ refugees. They receive language classes at the job, and the municipality has posted employees to assist with minor ongoing challenges.