Stories

Through a short documentary, Liaqat and his family told their compelling story of refugees’ hopes and dreams. The documentary which was produced by UNHCR with funds generously contributed by the European Union (the European Commission’s Department for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection/ ECHO), highlights the challenges faced by urban refugees in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Bangkok, Thailand.

It was 10.30 a.m. and the sun shone brightly over Jakarta. Dozens of Jakartans of all ages were sitting  in front of a traditional house of Betawi, the city’s native ethnic group, which is nestled in a densely populated area. They came together to commemorate  World Refugee Day (WRD), which falls on 20 June. Among the audience were members of local youth organization Child Forum and young refugees, who live near the kampong.

BIREUEN, Indonesia – For several days last month, the local fishermen of Aceh, Indonesia, threw offerings of rice and water buffalo bones into the sea, part of their yearly ritual called khanduri laot, during which they recite prayers thanking God for the bounty of the ocean and seeking safety from its dangers.

Abdi (not his real name), a young refugee from Ethiopia, walked into neat rows of vegetables managed by UNHCR’s partner The Learning Farm (TLF) on one sunny morning in Cianjur regency, West Java. He proudly showed various vegetables that he grew in the vegetable garden. “This is kangkung [morning glory]. These are tomatoes, lettuces,” said Abdi.

For Kalsoom, a refugee from Pakistan who has been in Indonesia for five years, 14 March 2018 was a special day. She was one of five speakers at a talk show titled “Get Involved and Stay Engaged: Urban Activism and More Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment.”

It was Monday morning when staff members of UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) arrived at SD Jongaya public elementary school, which is situated near a refugee accommodation in Makassar, South Sulawesi. On that day, four refugee children began their schooling for the first time since their arrival in Indonesia. They looked very excited as they passed through the school gate.

It was only 7 am in Jakarta, but the area of The ICE Palace Concert Hall, which is situated in a mall in the capital, was already packed with dozens of refugee youth. They were rehearsing for their performances at a cultural event to commemorate World Refugee Day (WRD) 2017 later that day. Some Somalian refugees practiced their dancing routines on stage, while a number of Ethiopian refugees prepared their costumes backstage.

The sun shines brightly over an inconspicuous building nestled in a tiny residential street in South Jakarta. Inside, some refugee children learn teamwork and conflict management, while others practice new English phrases. Still others giggle while attempting to pronounce English words. This is Roshan Learning Center, a bustling refugee oasis in a traditional Jakartan neighborhood.

Filippo Grandi meets with communities in restive Rakhine state to better understand their needs and challenges.

Dina Lusiana, 23, a Padang resident in West Sumatra, did not know what to do to apply for a birth certificate to register her first child at the local Population and Civil Registration Agency (Dukcapil).