EPWG

The 2^nd quarter of Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) meeting took place on 11 June which focused on identifying priorities on early warning and preparedness challenges over the next several months – including a focus on the impact on food security due to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing locust outbreak. ADB, WFP and FAO made presentations on the relevant topics. meeting notes (click to download)

UNHCR-NGO Meeting

UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) and ICVA organized a second round of “Regional NGOs Meeting” on 18 June to share a general update on CoVID 19 response and overview on its impact. The issue of rising xenophobia towards refugees, migrants and other forced displaced populations and collective efforts to mitigate its impact was discussed, along with a briefing session on the recently launched Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR).

Orientation Session on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Emergencies

The GBV Area of Responsibility (AoR) Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with ICVA organized a virtual orientation session on June 24 for NGOs in the region to understand better the humanitarian response architecture and GBV coordination mechanisms. The main topics covered include the definition of gender-based violence, root causes, contributing factors and consequences of GBV, as well as how to refer GBV survivors for care and support. There will be a second session on GBV risk mitigation on July 29. More information can be found in the last part of this Update.

Advocacy for Response to Rohingya Crisis

ASEAN: Overhaul Regional Response to Rohingya Crisis

Protect Asylum Seekers, Press Myanmar to End Persecution

“Southeast Asian leaders should urgently adopt concrete plans for addressing the crisis facing ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar and abroad.” Read more about this news release from Human Rights ahead of the 36th ASEAN Summit took place virtually on June 26.

New Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies (CAPRS)

Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies (CAPRS) at the University of Auckland will be launched in 15 July 2020 as a designated research centre to inform and develop responses to conflict and climate induced displacement throughout the region. This will be achieved via evidence-based scholarship and high-impact research. Further details of the Centre can be found here.

New Publications

There is a moment at the start of every major crisis when you think: “This is going to change everything.” COVID-19 was no exception. Here are 13 ways the pandemic may change the future of humanitarianism.

The Future of Civil Society Organisations – is a publication in collaboration with ICVA, Bond, CIVICUS, CONCORD Europe, Forus International, ICSC, Climate Action Network, and InterAction (networks of civil society organisations). In this publication, leaders of civil society networks & platforms share their thoughts and identify possible new directions that civil society organisations may want to go.

Policy and Guidance Updates

Here is a collection of recently endorsed policy and guidance by UN and/or IASC. More guidance by the IASC on COVID-19 can be found on the IASC COVID-19 webpage.

1. The United Nations COVID-19 and People on the Move
2.  Checklist to Protect from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse during COVID-19
3. IASC Guidance on Operational Considerations for Multisectoral Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programmes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
4. IASC Guidance on Basic Psychosocial Skills - A Guide for COVID-19 Responders
5. UN-IASC Light Guidance on Collective Outcomes as endorsed by OPAG and IASC Principles.

Regional Working Groups

Thematic Working Group - Asia & Pacific - Newsletter n.9

Regional updates from Plan international

Upcoming webinars

1. Refugees: Time to End Distancing

The webinar from CRSP, Amnesty International Thailand, and Asylum Access provides a general overview of the situations of refugees in Thailand, will take place July 2 at 2pm. Sessions will be available in Thai, English, and Sign Language. Register here.

More information here: https://web.facebook.com/events/293661565348101/?_rdc=1&_rdr

2. UNICEF’s Social protection, humanitarian cash & education response to COVID-19: working in partnership

When: Thursday 2 July 2020 2.30pm-4.00pm GVA/ 8.30am-10.00am NY

Click here to join. 

3. COVID-19: The Role of Media in Addressing Stigma with some incredible speakers from the region.

Register here to this webinar prior to the event.

Monday, July 6 2pm Bangkok 

4. GBV Risk Mitigation

Wednesday, July 29 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Bangkok time. Registration information will be shared closed to the webinar date.

Objectives:

- To be informed about relevant elements of the IASC GBV Guidelines on GBV risk mitigation

- To learn about good practices on GBV risk mitigation from various clusters/sectors

- To understand accountability measures to track progress of GBV risk mitigation measure