In the Middle East and Turkey, local authorities were already struggling with hosting high numbers of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) before the outbreak of COVID-19 and are now facing a crisis on top of a crisis. With rising unemployment and business closure, they now see stronger demand for jobs for refugees and locals alike, alongside the need to support local businesses and undertake innovative actions for economic recovery.
This webinar will explore the main challenges and new priorities for municipalities hosting refugees, and actions undertaken in collaboration with the private sector to mitigate the crisis. The discussion will include a presentation of the latest findings collected by the CMI from surveys, assessments, and consultations among local representatives during the pandemic, as well as testimonies of municipalities from Jordan, Palestine, and Turkey. The event will particularly showcase how local authorities can face the new challenges of COVID-19 and speed up economic recovery by attracting investments and stimulating the local business environment to support both displaced populations and host communities.
This webinar will explore the main challenges and new priorities for municipalities hosting refugees, and actions undertaken in collaboration with the private sector to mitigate the crisis. The discussion will include a presentation of the latest findings collected by the CMI from surveys, assessments, and consultations among local representatives during the pandemic, as well as testimonies of municipalities from Jordan, Palestine, and Turkey. The event will particularly showcase how local authorities can face the new challenges of COVID-19 and speed up economic recovery by attracting investments and stimulating the local business environment to support both displaced populations and host communities.
Join us April 20, 2021 at 8am ET!
Opening remarks:
- Blanca Moreno-Dodson, Manager, Center for Mediterranean Integration
Moderator:
- Sara Boughedir, Consultant, Center for Mediterranean Integration
Speakers:
- Giulia Marchesini, Senior Partnership Specialist, Center for Mediterranean Integration
- Fuat Ozharat, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, Turkey
- Nadine Burbar, Head of Local Economic Development and Deputy Chief Resilience Officer, Ramallah Municipality, Palestine
- Reham Jammal, Director of Planning Department & Director of International Projects and Programs Unit, Greater Irbid Municipality, Jordan
Closing remarks:
- Vara Vemuru, Practice Manager, Social Sustainability and Inclusion, World Bank