Oxfam reaction to $2.2bn pledged at the Global Refugee Forum 2023

In response to the $2.2 billion pledges made at the 2nd Global Refugee Forum (GRF), Oxfam in Africa Director Fati N'Zi-Hassane said:

"The pledges made by states, corporations, and civil society organizations ―including by refugees themselves― around employing new initiatives and processes that give refugees and host communities more power in the decisions that affect them, should be celebrated. But there is still a long way to go to tangibly change the endgame for millions of refugees around the world.

"Oxfam also welcomes pledges made to support refugees and those who are shouldering the biggest responsibility of welcoming refugees, and to shift power to communities at the frontline of response, especially refugee leaders. But the chasm between commitments made and the political realities on the ground remains enormous.  

"Most rich nations continue to fail to step up to their responsibilities and welcome more refugees. Instead, they are adopting cruel policies that punish rather than protect those fleeing conflict and persecution, and promote deeply xenophobic, divisive, and dehumanizing narratives in their own backyards. The promises made this week must not be used to conceal such troubling political realities.

"What refugees need now is for world leaders to provide more welcoming policies, putting refugees in the driving seat of decisions that affect them, and giving them the resources necessary to thrive. Refugees themselves are speaking loudly and strongly about what is needed. We must listen, and we must act."