Over 60% of refugees globally, around 20 million people, are living in countries that are experiencing food crises. Despite the average length of displacement for refugees exceeding 20 years, many continue to rely on food assistance to feed their families.
Long-term solutions are needed to reduce refugees' dependence on humanitarian aid and enable them to develop sustainable, dignified livelihoods that strengthen their self-reliance and resilience in the face of climate change. Expanding opportunities for refugees to engage in productive agricultural livelihoods will improve their access to food, enhance their inclusion in local economies, and contribute to the economic development of refugee-hosting countries.
Recognizing the critical need to invest in refugee inclusion in food systems and agricultural livelihoods, FAO, WFP, and UNHCR are jointly developing a multistakeholder initiative to unite commitments towards the achievement of the Global Compact on Refugees at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
Speakers:
Dominique Burgeon, Director, FAO Liaison Office in Geneva
Sajjad Malik, Director, Division of Resilience and Solutions, UNHCR
Arafat Jamal, Coordinator for the Global Refugee Forum 2023, UNHCR
Gian Carlo Cirri, Director, WFP Global Office Geneva
