In 2018, the number of people forced from their homes in the Asia Pacific reached a staggering mark of 7.7 million. According to the UNHCR, a majority of them root from war-torn Afghanistan and Myanmar, casting some of the most protracted refugee situations.
Reflecting the year that has passed, APRRN members continue to witness the trauma refugees face, the reception of host communities, the remarkable resilience and incredible coping mechanisms of those seeking refuge. We see the extreme deteriorating state of refugees, especially the children on Nauru and Manus island. Despite the humanitarian catastrophe, Yemeni refugees fleeing war continue to face opposition and hostility, sparking protests in South Korea. The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar has displaced nearly one million in count and the Burmese Chin refugees in Malaysia and India battled UNHCR’s decision on the cessation of their refugee status. We also see the narrowing of resettlement quotas in the United States – a country deem as the forefront of refugee resettlement for decades. On the positive end, we see Sri Lankan refugees promised safe return and the Pakistan government pledging citizenship for over 1.5 million Afghan refugees in the country.
Over the past year, the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) and its respective members have been actively involved in a range of national, regional and international advocacy initiatives and efforts across the region – amplifying the voices of refugees in different capacities. With that, APRRN is pleased to present you the 2018 Annual Report, reflecting and highlighting some of our key achievements, insights and outcomes in the past year.
Key Achievements
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE PACIFIC
SOUTH ASIA
SOUTH EAST ASIA
EAST ASIA
Others include our advocacy around the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM); engagement with ASEAN; hosting our first Asia Summit of Refugees and the 7th biennial Asia Pacific Consultation Refugee Rights, and more.
Membership
APRRN’s diverse membership now reaches 402 organisations and individuals across 29 countries in the region. The diversity of the network, coupled with the dedication of members have proven to be key in the success and legitimacy of the network. Continued mutual-learning and information sharing through roundtables, conferences and short courses have also led to greater effectiveness and capacity of our members. The APRRN network has enabled the collective concerns of and solutions for refugees and other displaced people, feeding into larger international frameworks and networks with the power to affect systematic change.
The APRRN Secretariat would like to commend and heartily thank all members who have dedicated time and efforts in strengthening and advocating for the deliberately silenced. We look forward to working more effectively in addressing the needs of those who are in protracted situations, reducing the numbers of those displaced and helping all to rebuild a life of safety and dignity.
The PDF report can be found here.