The Global Compact on Refugees

World leaders have emphasized that today the role of civil society is more crucial than ever in responding to the growing global refugee situation. Addressing the current challenges and planning for future post-conflict scenarios requires enhanced cooperation and engagement of all civil society actors. These convictions are reflected in Global Compact on Refugees, which sets out the parameters for stronger solidarity and responsibility-sharing through a “whole of society approach”. This involves the expansion of multi-stakeholder partnerships and a stronger emphasis on host community support as the new way forward, recognizing that the protection of displaced persons and refugees and support to host communities is a shared responsibility.

Since its establishment, the regional network has gained significant momentum towards becoming a key actor on the regional stage for discussing and addressing displacement issues. Over the past few years, UNHCR MENA and the MENA CSND have partnered to convene a series of regional roundtables with academia, faith-based organizations, women entrepreneurs, artists and cultural influencers as well as the first UNHCR Regional NGO Consultations. These regional convenings have helped frame the role civil society actors play in responding to displacement crises and have contributed to building more sustainable and localized approaches to humanitarian responses. They also enabled participants to share best practices and identify areas for collaboration. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MENA CSND members demonstrated their ability to quickly and innovatively respond to emerging needs in both refugee and host communities, despite the unprecedented restrictions in mobility and access. Their interventions have included protection initiatives, innovative ways to remotely engage and support communities, and coordinated referral systems for those seeking urgent assistance. Members have also initiated research on the socio-economic impacts of the crisis, facilitated information campaigns to counter misinformation and discrimination and engaged in advocacy activities to promote the inclusion of refugees in national responses.

UNHCR continues to act as a catalyst and convener for the ongoing expansion of the MENA CSND’s role, reach and impact in the region.

Outcome reports

• Addressing Displacement in MENA: Roundtable on the Role of Women’s Entrepreneurship
• Regional Roundtable on the Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Addressing Displacement in MENA
• Second Regional Roundtable On Enhancing Dialogue and Partnership Between Academia and UNHCR on Regional Displacement Issues
• Roundtable on Enhancing Dialogue and Partnership between Academia and Humanitarian Actors on Regional Displacement Crises in the Middle East and North Africa Region
• The First MENA Roundtable on the Role of Art and Culture in Addressing Displacement
• Mayors Forum for Inclusive Cities in North Africa Outcomes Report
• Middle East and North Africa Global Refugee Forum Stocktaking and NGO/Civil Society Consultations Outcome Report
• Third Academic Roundtable on Climate Change and Displacement in Middle East and North Africa

For more information about the MENA CSND please contact [email protected] or visit the MENA Civil Society Network for Displacement website. 
You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook

Malta is located in the Central Mediterranean, and most asylum-seekers enter the country following rescue at sea. Malta received 4,090 asylum applications in 2019, making it the EU country with the second-highest number of asylum applications per capita in 2019, following Cyprus.