IOM UK and Shabaka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen support to and increase visibility of diaspora engagement in humanitarian action, including post-conflict recovery, poverty reduction, social and economic development. Shabaka is an established network organisation at a national and international level, and this partnership also focuses on increasing the collaboration with private sector actors as well as governments in countries of origin. 

“This agreement is a step forward in recognising the significant contribution that diaspora communities make in time of emergencies and crises” says IOM UK’s Head of Office Tauhid Pasha. 

Diasporas have long been engaged in humanitarian assistance in multiple ways, including by contributing financial resources, skilled volunteering, in-kind donations as well as by mobilising social, political and cultural capital. In times of crisis or during emergencies, diaspora members are often among the first responders, but they also contribute their skills and expertise to support the transition from crisis to post-crisis phases, ensuring the sustainability of actions and increasing the localisation of assistance.

Shabaka’s Director of Research, Paul Asquith highlights that “diaspora and migrants are key partners in humanitarian response and this agreement between Shabaka and IOM consolidates our collaboration on diaspora humanitarianism”. 
Besides strengthening the cooperation between IOM and Shabaka on research projects and events related to diaspora participation and humanitarianism, this agreement contributes to the advancement of national and global frameworks towards effective development and humanitarian action.

Bashair Ahmed, CEO at Shabaka and Tauhid Pasha, IOM UK’s Head of Office

More on this topic:

• Find out more about diaspora engagement in times of crisis 

• IOM’s iDiaspora provides a platform for the global diaspora community to share their experiences, knowledge and ideas of how and where they can engage. 

• The Diaspora Engagement in Humanitarian Assistance webinar series, jointly organised by IOM, Shabaka and ADEPT explored different perspectives on diaspora humanitarianism.

• The Framework for Diaspora Engagement in Humanitarian Assistance is a suggested guide to support more streamlined coordination among Diasporas and Institutional Humanitarian Actors towards more effective humanitarian assistance worldwide.

For information please contact asoleiman@iom.int .