ICYMI: I first reported last night on the arrival of a third-country removal ICE flight to the DRC. Story is now updated with new info on the passengers and comment from @yaelschacher.bsky.social at @refugeesinternational.org.
gillianbrockell.com/breaking-ice...
As the NBA playoffs begin, Sudan marks 3 years of war. There is a disturbing connection here.
The UAE is fueling genocide in Darfur & the NBA is still partnering with the UAE.
Sign the petition for the @nba.com to end its partnership with Emirates.
support.refugeesinternational.org/a/sign-petit...
🎙️Stream the first episode of our new podcast, Forced from Home.
@jeremykonyndyk.bsky.social sat down with Vali Nasr to unpack the human cost of the war in Iran.
Take a listen. Like and subscribe to Forced from Home wherever you listen to podcasts.
www.refugeesinternational.org/actions/forc...
📣 Calling all refugee leaders: The deadline to apply for the 2026-27 Refugee Fellows Program is in two weeks (April 30)!
We are excited to read your applications and learn more about your advocacy! Apply today:
www.refugeesinternational.org/refugee-fell...
Today marks three years of war in Sudan and the scale of suffering is staggering.
It’s past time for Congress to pass the Stand Up for Sudan Act and halt U.S. weapons sales to the UAE, the primary backer of the RSF.
Sudan can’t wait. Act now.
support.refugeesinternational.org/a/take-actio...
Costa Rica received its first flight of third country nationals under an agreement with the U.S. government to receive 25 deportees a week. Some of the deportees may be asylum seekers.
We call for the end of deportations without fair hearings.
www.refugeesinternational.org/statements-a...
Pakistan has escalated its mass forced deportations of Afghan refugees—an illegal, dangerous move at a moment of regional instability and the collapse of human rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Pakistan must halt deportations now. Our statement:
www.refugeesinternational.org/statements-a...
📢 Congress must demand humanitarian access and accountability in Gaza, in line with U.S. law. We urge members to pass:
🟢Block the Bombs Act
🟢Justice for Hind Rajab Act
🟢@sanders.senate.gov's Joint Resolutions of Disapproval
Take Action Now: support.refugeesinternational.org/a/tell-congr...
New: We joined a broad coalition urging Senators to pass @sanders.senate.gov's resolutions to block new arms sales to Israel.
This is a critical opportunity for Congress to enforce U.S. arms transfer law, protect civilians, and help ensure that the ceasefire with Iran remains in place.
6 months after the Gaza ceasefire plan, we assessed progress on the plan’s own stated objectives on:
▪️Civilian Protection
▪️Aid Access
▪️Reconstruction & Economic Development
▪️Freedom of Movement & Return
Bottomline: The ceasefire is failing.
www.refugeesinternational.org/reports-brie...
Explore the Third Country Deportation Watch, a project launched by Refugees International and @humanrightsfirst.org.
This tracker monitors U.S. third country transfer agreements, the motives behind them, the harms they've caused, and efforts to challenge them ⬇️
www.thirdcountrydeportationwatch.org
“These have never been populations that any administration ever, Republican or Democrat, has targeted in this way." @yaelschacher.bsky.social
Democrats have called on DHS and State Department watchdogs to investigate third country deportations ⬇️
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Good US immigration data has always been hard to get, and now it is especially hard given increased manipulation and lack of transparency from the admin/
Data like this-- on missing migrants-- is even harder.
The loss of data like this is just devastating.
www.hcn.org/issues/58-4/...
Six months into the ceasefire, the facts are clear: Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is far from over.
People need much greater humanitarian access and assistance to move from survival to recovery.
Set the record straight.
www.refugeesinternational.org/perspectives...
Humanitarian aid delivers:
• Medical supplies
• Therapeutic nutrition for children
• Water and sanitation equipment
• Shelter materials
Store shelves cannot replace humanitarian aid.
❌MYTH #4:
“Commercial goods are just as good as humanitarian aid.”
✅REALITY:
Commercial goods are designed for profit.
Humanitarian aid is designed to save lives.
NGOs in Gaza:
• Run field hospitals
• Provide clean water and sanitation
• Treat malnutrition
• Deliver emergency medical care
• Provide mental health services
Aid isn’t just about trucks. It’s about services that keep people alive.
❌MYTH #3:
“NGOs only provide 1% of aid, so banning them doesn’t matter.”
✅REALITY:
This ignores the life-saving services NGOs provide.
The dual-use list is classified and constantly changing>
• Ordinary civilian items have been blocked, including shampoo, diapers, and fruit pits
• Aid workers report unpredictable enforcement
These restrictions limit supplies needed for water, shelter, and hygiene.
❌MYTH #2:
Restrictions on “dual-use” goods only apply to materials that could become weapons.
✅REALITY:
The system is far broader & far less transparent.
The UN estimates less than 20% of trucks carry humanitarian aid.
On average: ~110 UN-coordinated aid trucks enter per day, far below what is needed
Meanwhile:
• 2+ million people need humanitarian assistance
• 150,000 children require treatment for acute malnutrition
❌MYTH #1:
“Israel is allowing enough aid into Gaza.
Aren’t 600–800 trucks entering daily?”
✅REALITY:
Most of those trucks carry commercial goods, not humanitarian aid.
6 months after the ceasefire:
• Nearly 700 Palestinians killed
• Most people rely on humanitarian aid
• Disease outbreaks spreading
• Malnutrition rising
• Families still in makeshift shelters
• Hospitals, schools & infrastructure devastated
Six months into the Gaza ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis has not ended.
Mis- and disinformation about aid is clouding the reality.
Here are 4 common myths about aid in Gaza & the facts to set the record straight. 🧵
www.refugeesinternational.org/perspectives...
🎙️ Introducing our podcast: Forced from Home
Hosted by @jeremykonyndyk.bsky.social, the show will explore the causes & consequences of global displacement w/ community leaders, humanitarian experts, and decision-makers. Listen to the trailer & subscribe:
www.refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-...
The White House is targeting refugees who were promised safety in the U.S.
Tell the White House to keep America’s promise to refugee families. Together, our voices matter.
Sign the petition today. ✍️
support.refugeesinternational.org/a/tell-white...
Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Refugee Fellows Program!
This year-long virtual fellowship supports forcibly displaced leaders advancing advocacy around the world.
📅 Join our April 9 info session to learn more. Apply today: www.refugeesinternational.org/refugee-fell...
Big deal — and the product of tremendous advocacy.
The first week of the U.S./Israel-Iran war alone cost $11.3 billion.
“That is close to the total amount of all global humanitarian aid spending in the final year of the Biden administration.” @jeremykonyndyk.bsky.social // @apnews.com
apnews.com/article/iran...
This Saturday, March 28 is the LAST day to get early bird tickets for our 2026 Advocacy Awards, a celebration of community. Don’t wait—buy your ticket today!
Every dollar supports our advocacy for forcibly displaced people worldwide. Learn more: www.refugeesinternational.org/events-and-t...
