On April 2nd & 3rd 2018, The GJU Social Work Department collaborated with the Civil Society Network of Displacement CSND in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) through the Professional Diploma in Social Work / Migration and Refugees - course title -Woman and Minor – discussing the campaign regarding displacement of families. Dr. Maha Sahib, guest speaker of CSND. Family Reunion Advocacy Campaign entails a collective and active participation of various actors. Opportunities to reunite with family members living in other countries provide many refugees and displaced people with the only safe and regular routes to escape persecution and conflicts as the current time is witnessing an appalling displacement, countries around the globe are urgently invited to ensure that their immigration policies facilitate family reunification and not to obstruct it, which might drive families to take desperate measures, i.e. Illegal migration, so as to reunite in safety. The need for family reunion is important as it re-humanizes the refugee crisis, a theme that is common to all parties in the region and beyond. It also enhances bonds and communication among communities, allowing refugees to voice their need for information and go through the right channels of communication that can provide solutions. The preservation of family unity is not only essential and critical to the refugee population but also to host communities as well.  In host countries, family unity enhances refugee self-sufficiency, and lowers social and economic costs in the long-term.

There are different issues to be considered when discussing family reunion such as official documents; it is exhausting and often impossible for refugees and family members to obtain the required official documents from their country of origin. This can be attributed to their fear of persecution which had originally driven them to flee their country of origin. Also Transit Life: Families who flee to other countries usually live there without documents due to the fact that obtaining a legal status in some countries is difficult or impossible for refugees, which is considered by many professionals to be an extra burden for family reunification

In addition Access to embassies: Many countries may not have an embassy or consulate in all countries of origin or residence of family members. Absence of access to diplomatic representatives certainly freezes the whole process of family reunification. Furthermore tracing family members: The Central Tracing Agency of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and its national counterparts has special competence in this area and can provide significant assistance. Moreover, in certain circumstances recourse to UNHCR EDP big-data system or to the records of the authorities of countries of resettlement is attainable. However, confidentiality of information about family members may require strict procedures. Worth mention that family reunification cases outside the competence of UNHCR.  Complex and different regulations do exist in host countries and therefore they can cause numerous barriers to the people seeking reunification. Existing policies and criteria in some host countries can make it difficult and even impossible for refugees to proceed with their reunification process. In many cases UNHCR offices are requested to help with family reunion or travel with respect to persons who do not meet such criteria. Unfortunately, when the case is proved to be outside the competence of UNHCR, the applicant is informed that UNHCR cannot assist and s/he is directed to the competent government office or other voluntary agencies.

The campaign is mainly based on the principle set forth in the international law that “family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” From social work perspective worth dignity, human rights and social justice are fundamental rights apply to all.