On Wednesday, 19 February 2025, a crucial meeting took place at the UNHCR Field Office Boardroom in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, bringing together 25 representatives from Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) under the KRLON-Kyaka II Refugee-led Organizations Network. The meeting, which was chaired by Ms. Carol Aketch on behalf of UNHCR and Mr. Thembo Esreal representing KRLON, provided an opportunity for RLOs to showcase their interventions, explore twinning opportunities, and discuss challenges they face in their humanitarian efforts.
The meeting was a significant step towards strengthening partnerships between UNHCR and local refugee-led organizations. Ms. Carol, emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of refugee-led initiatives and ensuring they are actively involved in shaping responses to the challenges faced by refugees and host communities alike.
Each RLO representative had the chance to present their work, highlighting their ongoing projects, achievements, and areas requiring additional support. PowerPoint presentations were encouraged, ensuring a structured and concise approach to sharing insights. The discussions covered a range of topics, including capacity-building needs, funding limitations, and opportunities for collaboration with other humanitarian actors.
Mr. Thembo Esreal, representing KRLON, expressed gratitude to UNHCR for providing a platform where refugee-led organizations could directly engage with decision-makers. He reaffirmed KRLON’s commitment to enhancing coordination among RLOs and advocating for greater recognition and support for locally driven initiatives.
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the need for sustained dialogue and collaboration to address the challenges faced by RLOs. UNHCR pledged to continue supporting locally led efforts and exploring ways to facilitate partnerships that enhance the impact of refugee-driven initiatives.
The success of this meeting marks another milestone in KRLON’s ongoing efforts to empower refugee-led organizations and ensure their voices are heard in the broader humanitarian response. As follow-up actions, KRLON will work closely with UNHCR to implement the insights gathered from the meeting and foster stronger networks among RLOs.
KRLON appreciates the active participation of all representatives and looks forward to future engagements that will further strengthen refugee leadership and community-driven solutions in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement.