Hanadi Tutunji, Technical Assistance Program Manager, spoke at the European Microfinance Week 2024 in Luxembourg (EMW 2024).
On the 14th of November, this session highlighted the challenges and opportunities related to the financial inclusion of refugees, a central theme of this edition. Concrete examples, particularly in Uganda, illustrated the need to strengthen the capacities of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and financial actors to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable population.
Refugees, often perceived as a temporary population, actually reside in host countries for long periods of time. In Uganda, for example, 77% of refugees have been living there for more than ten years, making the country the leading host of refugees in Africa and the fifth worldwide.
During this session, Hanadi Tutunji emphasized the importance of developing appropriate financial solutions to promote the economic integration and autonomy of refugees. She also highlighted opportunities for collaboration with strategic partners, emphasizing the need to choose partners who are aligned with the values of inclusion and social responsibility. Partners are chosen based on their ability to understand the specific needs of refugees and to propose innovative and sustainable solutions.