CASWANAME. Central and South West Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Section 4

Transcription

1 \ Central and South West Asia, North Africa and the Middle East

2 Afghanistan Algeria Egypt Iran, Islamic Republic of Jordan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Lebanon Pakistan Saudi Arabia Tajikistan Tunisia Turkmenistan Yemen

3 AFGHANISTAN To mark World Refugee Day in Afghanistan, the Minister for Refugees and Repatriation and UNHCR representatives visited the encashment centre in Kabul where returning Afghan refugees receive their assistance. They spoke to the accompanying media about WRD. UNHCR officials gave exclusive interviews about their work. On June 19, the local and international media based in Kabul were briefed on World Refugee Day and the message of High Commissioner António Guterres. On two consecutive nights, UNHCR broadcast a 15- minute documentary produced by BO/Kabul through the state television of Afghanistan. The documentary, in local languages, focused on the reintegration of Afghan refugees returning home and on the lives of those who had been back for some time. ALGERIA Drawing contests for refugee children were held in four camps: Dakhla, Smara, L aayoune and Awserd. Children from each camp presented a picture related to the theme of Hope. The drawings were displayed on June 20 as part of an exhibition presented by AFAD, Triangle & Solidaridad in close coordination with UNHCR. Other ideas were presented, such as items produced by women and handicapped refugees. Participants of a football and vollybal match: UNHCR/Algeria Pertaining to SO Tindouf were published and a talk show broadcast on TV and radio. Visit of the Minister for Refugees: UNHCR/ Afghanistan Football and volleyball matches took place in Smara camp, using ninemillion.org balls. T-shirts with the World Refugee Day logo were distributed to the competitors. They were also handed out as gifts to handicapped refugees. A special ceremony was held at Smara camp. It included visits to handicapped refugees, which were joined by NGO colleagues, implementing partners, sister UN agencies and leaders of the exiled Sahrawi community. For media coverage, several newspaper articles EGYPT Egypt focused this year s activities on assisting vulnerable Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers as well as rebuilding the trust between UNHCR and the population of concern. The World Food Programme made a food donation to UNHCR Cairo aimed at assisting vulnerable Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers. This donation was distributed throughout May and June as part of the WRD activities. WRD events were celebrated at a Youth Sports Centre and a Sudanese Community Association Centre, where exhibitions of handicrafts, stalls showing Sudanese & Somali goods and a large variety of traditional food were available. Various sports activities were also on offer for the children. The end of the day was dedicated to cultural events, which included a children s poetry recital, group songs, solo dances and lively traditional African dances.

4 Public awareness campaigns took the form of SMS messaging being sent out to 68,000 mobile phones in Egypt, which referred the receivers to the Arabic WRD website. Ratings detected 13,308 hits compared to 7,535 last year. A radio campaign on WRD took place between June and was covered by seven local and regional newspapers and broadcast on two of the most popular radio stations, Negoum FM and Nile FM. Each station has an estimated 17 million listeners. Through TV, radio and newspapers, WRD was mentioned 67 times at an estimated value of US$63,649. IRAN Speeches by the Director General of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs, the UNHCR representative in Teheran and the Kanoon representative were broadcast by Iranian TV station, Jam-e-Jam. The film, Wherever I go the Sky is Mine, was produced by the UNHCR-Teheran Office and the Kanoon Institute for the Development of Children and Young Adults. It was screened at the Kanoon Institute s cinema hall. Additionally, Oscar-nominated Iranian film director Majid Majidi, who has donated his films to UNHCR-Iran for the benefit of WRD celebration in Ahwaz. UNHCR/ IRAN refugee children, made a speech supporting Afghan and Iraqi refugees. His film, Olympics in Camp, which features refugee children and sports, was previewed. Ninemillion.org footballs were signed by UNHCR s Teheran representatives, BAFIA and film directors and given to Afghan and Iraqi children under cancer treatment. The programme at Kanoon Centre climaxed with a mini-concert by a traditional Afghan band. UNHCR posters were hung in the main hall where WRD was celebrated, and in other public areas. Media coverage was excellent, with 13 TV programmes aired, 13 newspaper articles, and mention of WRD on 28 different websites. A movie was also made for WRD, and 1,000 copies have been sold. JORDAN A bicycle ride was organised through Amman s busiest streets. At the final stop, participants and refugees performed traditional Iraqi and Jordanian folk dances. Refugee children took part in a drawing competition on this year s theme of Hope and prizes were awarded for the five best entries. Parade: UNHCR/ Jordan H. Homaf Speeches were made by representatives of UNHCR; the Arab World Centre for Democratic Development and Human Rights (UNIHRD); and the Fun Directory. Gifts, including World Refugee Day T-shirts and caps, were distributed to all the refugee children who participated in WRD events. Some 200,000 people were reached through TV shows, while articles on WRD appeared in four newspapers with a combined circulation of 210,000 people. A further 65,000 people heard about WRD activities on four radio stations. On the internet, four websites mentioned WRD, with the number of browsers reaching an estimated 130,000. Events in Jordan were sponsored by a number of companies and organisations, including Fun Directory, Baraka Farms, Hammada Restaurant, UNIHRD, Future for Uniforms, Graphica Designs and Tri-Tec AV.

5 KAZAKHSTAN UNHCR Kazakhstan commissioned the painting of UN symbols on Almaty s trams in a bid to promote tolerance and awareness about refugees and UNHCR. The agency also helped organise a number of WRD festivities in the capital, in cooperation with the municipal department of demography and the mayor s office. A carnival was launched on June 19 in a city park. It attracted around 800 people and gave refugees a chance to celebrate and express their cultural identity. Sports competitions and football matches were also held, with about 200 refugee children taking part. WRD related merchandise, including T-shirts, caps, leaflets and posters, was handed out as a part of the public awareness campaign. A national quiz on refugee Issues was also held in a bid to spread awareness of refugee issues and WRD throughout the whole country. The winner was invited by UNHCR to Almaty for the WRD festivities and was given a desktop computer as a prize. Two other contestants from Almaty were given UNHCR visibility materials. A UNHCR information kit was prepared and distributed one week before the WRD celebrations. The pack was distributed to journalists, government and city officials, law enforcement bodies, the international community, UN agencies and implementing partners. A press conference on June 20 drew further press attention local and international to WRD and helped raise public awareness about refugee issues. A total 35 journalists attended and UNHCR recorded 15 newspaper articles or dispatches in the electronic press about the conference. UNHCR also arranged a dinner for governmental officials. WRD also saw establishment of a formal partnership between UNHCR and the capital s deputy mayor, who gave the agency his full backing and facilitated free broadcasting of WRD video spots 35 times on local TV channels at an estimated value of US$4,725. Further media coverage through TV, newspapers and the internet reached an estimated value of US$13,985. KYRGYZSTAN Multicultural celebrations in Bishkek, Osh and refugee communities were organised. Financial support was received from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Swiss Embassy and the US Embassy. Thirty journalists were briefed on refugee issues and encouraged to help promote awareness about WRD. Children in southern areas of this Central Asian country were sensitised on refugee-related issues through an information session, which followed an essay contest. The event received significant media coverage, particularly in the south where UNHCR has previously experienced negative press. WRD festivities: UNHCR/ V. Solovyov The day s theme of Hope helped to boost UNHCR s image and increase tolerance among the local community. Some 168,000 people were reached via seven newspapers, radios and the internet at an estimated value of US$4,205. WRD celebration at Bishkek: UNHCR/ Kyrgyzstan

6 LEBANON On May 17, in the run-up to World Refugee Day, UNHCR and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) took part in an open discussion at the American University of Beirut. Some 7,000 people attended the debate, which gave UNHCR and UNRWA an opportunity to explain their work and explain the differences between their respective mandates. An official WRD ceremony was held on June 20 also at the American University. The ceremony featured with speeches by UNHCR and NGO representatives as well as a refugee. During the ceremony, refugee children and adults showed their talent, singing, dancing and acting on the theme of Hope. The event received wide media coverage. An exhibition of paintings, handicrafts, photographs and ethnic food prepared by refugees was held on June 20. The exhibition was an opportunity for refugees to showcase their talent, display their products and generate income. The celebrations concluded on June 23 with a successful fund-raising concert by the Lebanese singer and musician Charbel Rouhana at the UNESCO Palace. Minister of Culture Tareq Mitri and other dignitaries attended. Both at the American University and at the UNESCO Palace, promotional items were on sale alongside displays of UNHCR leaflets, booklets and magazines. In another WRD-linked event, refugee children were provided with cameras and asked to document their daily lives and express Hope through their photos, which were later displayed in public. Some of the photographs were projected on a giant screen during Charbel Rouhana s concert. Some of those young photographers were interviewed live on a regional media network, which also broadcast their photos. Other activities at different venues in Beirut were organised in collaboration with NGO partners. These included an essay competition for schoolchildren, who were asked to write about refugees. Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie s WRD spot, shows and interviews were broadcast on several TV channels, drawing an audience of 304,297 people. Articles and advertisements were also published in newspapers, reaching another 207,000 people. Radio was also a way to advertise a concert and broadcast the Jolie spots. The estimated value of the media coverage was US$41,378.

7 PAKISTAN More than 50 refugee students took part in a drawing contest, recording their hopes for the future. Renowned Pakistani artist Jamil Shah headed the five-member panel of judges. "All the drawings, very innocently, desire a peaceful and honourable existence in a place called homeland," Shah noted. Contests were held for two age groups and winners received a ninemillion.org ball and plaques bearing the UNHCR logo. A family evening was held with an exhibition of refugee arts and crafts, food, music and dance. A large number of people, locals and refugees, attended. Statements from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and UNHCR High Commissioner António Guterres were read out at an official function on June 20. The event included refugee dances, skits and a fashion show of national costumes. From right to left: UNHCR s S. Asaba, Afghan Consul General Ahmad Ali Babak, Home Minister Balochistan Shuaib Nausherwani, and Commissioner for Afghan refugees Sarwar Jawid. The Misister is inaugurating the skill exhibition in Quetta. UNHCR/ B. Baloch Media coverage was extensive through TV, radio and newspapers, reaching an estimated minimum of 14 million people, with the value of airtime and publication space reaching US$28,800. SAUDI ARABIA An exhibition of 48 posters was put on public display in the heart of Saudi Arabia s most prominent attraction, the popular Kingdom Centre. The exhibition lasted from June June. The central location and exceptional design of the exhibition allowed easy access, attracting 13,000 visitors. Throughout the exhibiting period, UNHCR publications in Arabic were distributed and many queries were answered. During the exhibition period, the Kingdom Centre hosted the screening of a documentary, Working with Refugees. The RR Riyadh External Relations Section produced an Arabic documentary on Rafha refugee camp. Two girls reading the exhibition brochure at The Kingdom Centre: UNHCR/ A. Ganbakli. Hope posters were displayed in major banks, malls, corporations and NGO offices. In addition, hundreds of copies of the Arabic version of the World Refugee Day brochure were distributed in commercial centres, residential compounds and NGO offices. A WRD television spot by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Adel Imam was broadcast by regional and local TV stations/satellite channels, ART,Abu Dhabi Channel, Bahrain TV. UNHCR humanitarian print advertisements were also published in the main Saudi Arabian daily newspaper. High Commissioner António Guterres s op-ed was printed in major Kuwaiti newspapers. The UNHCR office also gave interviews to local and Gulf newspapers, including AlRiyadh, AlWatan, AlEtissadyah, AlHayat, Asharq AlAwsat and Gulf news. Live interviews with the Deputy Regional Representative were broadcast by regional satellite channels AlArabiya and MBC. The estimated value of the media coverage was US$104,100.

8 TAJIKISTAN The main World Refugee Day commemorative ceremony was held in the capital of Tajikistan s Sughd province at the City Cultural Centre. Refugees, representatives of the local government and migration service, and the media were present alongside foreign dignitaries, including UNHCR staff. The event included welcome speeches by government officials and representatives of UNHCR, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the refugee community. Before the colourful opening ceremony, guests could visit an exhibition by refugee artists. Group of refugee youths: UNHCR/ G. Gubaeva. Cultural performances were staged, including singing, dances and role plays by refugee children. At the end of the presentations, the head of the government information service of Khukumat of Sughd province chaired a press conference, which included a UNHCR representative who answered questions about WRD and refugees. On the same day, two volunteer groups visited handicapped refugees and delivered assistance. Local newspapers and two television channels covered the event, which reached an estimated 800,000 people through the media. As part of the awareness campaign, 200 posters and leaflets were distributed to ministries and national and international organisations all over the country. Moreover, e-cards devoted to WRD were produced and sent to more than 7,000 people around the world. Some 500 T-shirts bearing the WRD logo were used during the cultural celebrations and will also be handed out during training courses and other activities in the future. The Second State TV Channel broadcast Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie s WRD spot four times. The spot was aired during prime time hours when World Cup football games were being televised. It reached 1.8 million people, or about 30 percent of the population. Press releases on WRD activities were distributed to media offices around the country. The estimated value of the media coverage was US$3,740. TUNISIA The office organised a gathering at the UN Information Centre. UN agencies, foreign embassies, Foreign Ministry officials, NGOs and journalists were invited. The aim of the gathering was to share information about the main UNHCR activities in Tunisia with the world, and to spread the core WRD message of Hope. A book by the honorary UNHCR representative was launched on World Refugee Day. Entitled International Protection of Refugees: Challenges of the 21st Century, the book was written and published in collaboration with the Tunis-based Centre of International Study. Concerning media coverage, articles were printed in newspapers in French and Arabic, while Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie s WRD spot and CNN interview were broadcast on radio stations.

9 TURKMENISTAN A soccer competition between school children and refugees was organised in three provinces Coca- Cola donated all beverages for the occasion. Nike balls were used during the tourney to draw attention to the new global ninemillion.org campaign. The event was alerting host communities, local authorities and government agencies to the refugee issues in the country. Those attending included refugees, new citizens and their host community peers, local government representatives, UNHCR staff, and representatives of local public organisations such as Youth Union of Turkmenistan, Children Fund of Turkmenistan, World Turkmen Humanitarian Organisation. A total of 500 people attended the event and 270 T-shirts Awards being given to the winners of a soccer competition: UNHCR/ M. Shayhullin bearing the WRD logo were distributed. The T-shirts were donated by Zeppelin Turkmenistan J.V. In addition to this, books were distributed to schools in 21 former refugee settlements located in the provinces of Ahal, Mary and Lebap. A more formal event was held at the President Hotel in the capital Ashgabat on June 20 with the participation of diplomats, international organisations, UN agencies, government bodies, implementing partners and public organisations. Concerning the media coverage, articles in newspapers and shows on TV were broadcast, reaching around 333,000 people. Refugees displaying their flag at a cultural event: UNHCR/ Yemen L. Buffoni YEMEN Three events were organised in Yemen, one in the capital Sana a, another in Kharaz camp and for the first time in many years one in urban Aden. The events, comprising cultural dance/song and drama, were organised by refugee committees. UNHCR and its implementing partners played a facilitation role. A drawing competition was organised in refugee camps as well as a competition for a slogan to be printed on a WRD T-shirt. Winners were given prizes and 200 T-shirts were distributed. A play was staged with a strong HIV/AIDS awareness message. Beautiful refugee paintings on the Hope theme decorated the camp. Footballs and T-shirts were handed out, while a German diplomat addressed camp refugees on the theme of Hope, which he linked to the World Cup being held in his country. A sale of craft items produced by refugee women was organised in the camp and transferred to Aden for further exhibition. A field visit by eight journalists from five different media groups was organised, which resulted in generous media coverage. Moreover, from June a potential 20 million viewers watched WRD messages by Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie and High Commissioner António Guterres on television. A similar number of people were reached by articles published in the print media, while some 43 million listened to the World Refugee Day radio broadcasts.