We start this month’s newsletter with a wrap-up of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) held in Glasgow. During the summit, UNHCR called for more assistance for the countries and communities most affected by the climate emergency yet most neglected in terms of support. Ninety per cent of refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and 70 per cent of the internally displaced are from vulnerable countries least able to adapt. Millions more people are forced from their homes every year due to disasters made worse by climate change.

"The world is finally waking up to the fact that climate change is an emergency for everyone, everywhere. The stark reality, though, is those who did the least to contribute to it are already suffering the most." - Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

This month, Australia for UNHCR marked an incredible milestone as we reached a record $10 million in funds for the Afghanistan emergency, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Since Australia for UNHCR launched its Afghanistan appeal on 16 August, a record number of funds - the highest in the organisation's 21 year history - have been raised for UNHCR's life-saving emergency assistance and livelihood programs including in health, education and employment. UNHCR continues to distribute other much-needed humanitarian assistance to displaced Afghans, however our work is far from over and support is urgently needed to prepare for winter.   

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the frontlines have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. It is estimated that one in three women and girls experience physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner. During displacement and times of crisis, the threat of gender-based violence (GBV) significantly increases for women and girls. As today (25 November) is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we share how UNHCR is helping to protect refugees and other persons of concern from GBV. 

This month, you’ll also meet some DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholars and graduates, the next generation of change-makers. Going into its third decade of operation, the DAFI scholarship program continues to support refugees to participate in and benefit from higher education. To date, the program has supported over 18,500 young refugees to undertake tertiary studies.