CURRENTLY THE UN HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES
(UNHCR) lists 20.8 million refugees and internally displaced populations
(IDPs) globally. The two largest populations are in Darfur, Sudan and
Colombia with upwards of 3 million and 2 million persons, respectively.
Salesians are helping these populations, among others, including refugee
and displaced population camps in DRC, Burundi, Kenya, among others.
In addition to caring for refugees and displaced populations
in camps, Salesians provide systematic skills training to primary
wage earners responsible for the welfare of their family
members. Salesian Missions’ goal with displaced populations
is to provide durable solutions by providing the education and
training they need to find jobs in urban and semi-urban areas.
Short-term training courses are given to heads of household,
youth, and displaced women.
In some countries, Salesians work in
concert with indigenous and international
organizations to encourage IDPs to return
to their homes, provided that some degree
of safety seems possible and they are
offered assistance.
Salesian Missions’ community presence
in 131 countries for over a century
has allowed it the advantage to become a
well-established force in responding to
displaced population needs, and is prepared
to mobilize its resources in partnership
with other non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and donors in areas of education,
health, and social services.
• In KENYA, Salesians have been training Sudanese
refugees for over 10 years, providing them with short term
and long-term (3 year) courses in skills training for
jobs that would enable them to earn a decent income
upon their return to their homes or integration into host
countries. Salesian Missions is currently working with
67,600 Sudanese refugees in the Kakuma, Kenya
refugee camp, providing basic education and health
services, as well as social services.
• Since more than 800,000 of the 2 million displaced persons
in COLOMBIA are children, Salesian humanitarian
assistance and skills training has focused on vulnerable
populations including child ex-combatants and youths
at risk of recruitment by illegal groups. Salesians conduct
courses aimed at sustainable re-integration of
IDPs and former child combatants into Colombian society
through programs providing youth with skills and
training to promote income generation and therefore,
avoid illegal recruitment. Salesian Missions also works closely with community organizations and the private sector and places upwards of 70% of its
graduates in jobs. |
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