Refugee Realities

This podcast takes listeners to the forefront of the internal displacement issue in Somalia where Mogadishu officials are spearheading a new policy to address the needs of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their city. Talking directly with staff from Mogadishu Municipality we hear firsthand what it’s like to deliver durable solutions to the dynamic city while simultaneously coordinating with an ecosystem of national and international stakeholders.

Show Notes

This podcast takes listeners to the forefront of the internal displacement issue in Somalia where Mogadishu officials are spearheading a policy to address the needs of the hundreds of thousands of IDPs in their city. 
 
In the first part of the podcast, Durable Solutions Consultant for the Municipality of Mogadishu, Amun Osman, speaks with Research and Report Officer for the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, Mark Yarnell (speaking in his personal capacity), about the practical challenges, opportunities, and daily realities of addressing the needs of IDPs in the lively and dynamic metropolis. From providing relief to victims of forced evictions to navigating sensitive relationships with "gatekeepers,” Amun's hands-on perspective depicts the nitty gritty reality of implementing positive change for some of the city's most vulnerable residents.
 
In the second part of the podcast, LSE MSc Conflict Studies student, Ben Grazda, speaks with Mark about the ins and outs of the High-Level Panel's work during the pandemic, what it takes to incorporate the perspectives of thousands of displaced persons, how climate change is making urban development an even more urgent priority, and ways that researchers and academics can currently contribute to the UN's work.

For more information visit the Durable Solutions Unit (DSU) under the leadership of the Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Benadir Region of Somalia: https://dsu.so/ and the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement: https://www.un.org/internal-displacement-panel/

What is Refugee Realities?

To help celebrate and bring awareness to Refugee Week UK 2023, we are pleased to introduce Season 3 of ‘Refugee Realities’, a podcast series created by students on the Forced Displacement and Refugees course in the Department of International Development. In the lead up to UK Refugee Week we’ll be releasing student-recorded podcasts each day. Like the course, the topics covered are eclectic.

For a complete listing of Refugee Week events or to get involved, check out the Refugee Week website at https://refugeeweek.org.uk/ and follow Refugee Week on Instagram @refugeeweekuk and on Twitter and Facebook @RefugeeWeek. In the meantime, stay tuned for the podcasts.