The role of Non-governmental organisations in supporting people on the move

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play an important part in the protection and promotion of well-being of people in communities especially vulnerable individuals and families. Their work depending on the vision and mission of each organisation range from ensuring child protection, food security, promoting health and well-being, empowerment of individuals, families and communities, advocating for rights, information provision, influencing the development or amendment of laws and promoting equality to mention a few (Kasambara, 2018; Siziba, 2014). In the human mobility space, NGOs also play an important role in welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other people on the move. Many migrants, refugees and asylum seekers encounter diverse challenges in their decision to move and in the host countries, therefore NGOs provide the necessary support to help them integrate into the host community. Examples of the assistance offered include information and resources provision, documentation support, psychosocial support, personal development, education, skills development and searching for employment.

In South Africa, NGOs also play a pivotal role in supporting people on the move. These NGOs are spread throughout the country in all the provinces. The Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference (SACBC) publication of the Migration and Refugee Services directory indicates the available services for migrants and refugees including services by the NGOs (SACBC, nd). A recent publication by Okbandrias (2022) examined the Role of South African NGOs in the protection of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers from Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is one of the organisations working with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers with the aim of welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating people on the move into local communities by offering various services. For more on the services offered at the Centre, please refer to the following link: https://www.scalabrini.org.za/services/

References

Kasambara, E.M. (2018).The role of NGOs in promoting socio-economic rights for orphans and vulnerable children : a case study of Chisomo Children’s Club in Blantyre Malawi. https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/70604

Okbandrias, M. (2023). Protection of the Rights of Ethiopian and DRC Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Examining the Role of South African NGOs (2005-2017). African Human Mobility Review, 9(3), 56-81.

SACBC. (nd) Migration and Refugee Services Directory. https://sacbc.org.za/community-outreach/#m1

Siziba, S. (2014). The role of non‐governmental organisations as change agents: The case of NGOs providing child protection services in Ehlanzeni district, Mpumalanga. https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/e529b3f8-9de0-462b-a876-c5799c8521c5/content#:~:text=Non%2Dgovernmental%20organisations%20(NGOs),major%20components%20of%20their%20work.

The role of Non-governmental organisations in supporting people on the move

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