Refugee Point Bulletin - April

A monthly bulletin featuring RefugePoint news, client and staff updates, and events.

New Look: Same RefugePoint

You might have noticed that RefugePoint looks a little different. While there were a variety of reasons that we wanted to update our logo and branding, the driving force was that our previous logo featured an image shaped like a life preserver, which aligned with our former tagline, “A Lifeline For Forgotten Refugees.”

RefugePoint recognizes that colonialism and systemic racism are embedded in the field of refugee response, and in recent years we have recommitted to active anti-racist and anti-colonialist practices and efforts. Over time, it became clear that this tagline no longer accurately represented RefugePoint. In an effort to fully respect the dignity, autonomy, and agency of the refugees we serve, we phased out the old tagline in 2021. With our updated logo, we have now eliminated that visual representation of the former tagline. Visit our website to see more.

Client Story: Mohamed

At the age of two, Mohamed’s family was forced to flee their home in Somalia due to political instability and famine. Mohamed grew up in Dadaab Ifo Refugee Camp in Kenya, where he went to school and began dreaming of a career in health care. After years of studying, he became a Clinical Officer, working in private hospitals throughout Kenya. 

In 2019, Mohamed learned about the Economic Mobility Pathways Project through RefugePoint, which connects refugees with the right skills, education, and language abilities with employers looking to fill job vacancies in Canada. Last year, he was offered a job through the program, and in September, Mohamed traveled to Canada to begin working in a long-term care facility in Nova Scotia. Read the rest of Mohamed’s story here.

Mohamed at RefugePoint’s Nairobi office before departing for Canada.

Conversations: Discussing Refugee Issues with Senator Cory Booker

From Sasha Chanoff, RefugePoint CEO: It was great to spend time with Senator Cory Booker on Friday and his Chief of Staff Veronica Duron and State Director Hanna Mori and talk to them about refugee issues. I appreciated hearing Senator Booker's thoughts on how to build bridges in America.

He has visited Afghan evacuees on military bases in the U.S., and also called on President Biden to increase the refugee resettlement ceiling from 15K during the Trump administration to 125K. He was interested in hearing about refugee issues broadly, including the new Welcome Corps private sponsorship program that enables Americans to form groups and sponsor refugees from overseas to resettle in the U.S.

I shared that private sponsorship of refugees increases Democratic and Republican interest in refugee resettlement significantly and helps to reaffirm a badly eroded sense of common purpose in America. I came away from the meeting feeling grateful for Senator Booker's support for refugees and inspired by his ideas around unifying messages.

Senator Cory Booker (left) with RefugePoint CEO Sasha Chanoff (right).

Spin the Globe: RP Staff in Bangladesh 

Last month, RefugePoint staff visited Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh with ICMC and Danish Refugee Council to learn more about the work our Experts are doing to support Rohingya refugees.

There are about one million Rohingya refugees and persons of concern living in Cox’s Bazar, many of whom have been there for decades. As Myanmar’s political situation remains tumultuous, and Rohingyas continue to be persecuted in Myanmar, there continues to be a need for long-term solutions. Our staff there are working to identify refugees and submit their cases for resettlement. See where else we're working across the globe.

Staff from RefugePoint, Danish Refugee Council, and ICMC in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

Recommended Reading: The roots of the refugee protection system are colonial and racist

“We need a movement where refugees lead the way, while true allies ensure that they are not taking power and agency away from people in the name of empowering them.”

Sana Mustafa, CEO of Asylum Access, has experienced colonialism and white supremacy firrst-hand, both as a displaced person in the U.S. and as a leading executive in our field. In her powerful article, Sana explains how colonialism and white supremacy are deeply embedded in the global refugee protection system and steps those working in the system must take to move forward. Read Sana's piece here.

Graphic: Ramiro Zardoya / Cartoon Movement

Recent Events: Skoll World Forum

Over $30 billion/year is spent on humanitarian aid, yet recipients have virtually no say in its use— a fact that perpetuates inequality. Last week, RefugePoint’s CEO Sasha Chanoff led a conversation at the Skoll World Forum, which explored how we can build systems of support that are more equitable, informed and led by people with lived experience. 

Each year, the Forum brings together thought leaders, development practitioners, and philanthropists to address major challenges confronting the world. As forced displacement increases globally, centering refugee and community voices is vital, and we must ensure these conversations lead to action.

We’re Hiring!

RefugePoint is seeking experienced and passionate individuals for a number of positions across the globe. Take a look at our open positions:

Deputy Country Director, Kenya

Locum Community Navigator, Kenya

Technical Consultant - Market Systems Development Task Team, Boston

See our full list of open positions here.