Side Event of the 86th Meeting of the Standing Committee

Ukraine Situation Refugee Response: Role of Local and National NGOs

The massive arrival of refugees from Ukraine triggered an unprecedented solidarity from host governments and communities. Under the overall leadership of the host governments, volunteers, local and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have served as first responders, at the frontline of the refugee response, to welcome and support refugees from Ukraine.

Drawing on an initial rapid assessment report commissioned by ICVA and UNHCR, this side event will focus on the role of national and local NGOs as frontline actors to support refugee responses. It will look at the evolution of the involvement of non-governmental organizations in the coordination mechanisms since the beginning of the response and formulate recommendations to the international community on how to strengthen engagement and support for local actors. The event is co-organized by UNHCR, ICVA and the EU delegation to the United Nations in Geneva.

Speakers:

Ms. Dominique Hyde, Director, Division of External Relations, UNHCR

Ms. Agnieszka Kosowicz, Director of the Board, Polish Migration Forum

Mr. Kyrylo Prykhodko, Program Coordinator, National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova

Ms. Katarina Clifford, Counsellor, EU Delegation to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva