Forced From Home

About Forced From Home

Displacement is reshaping our world – from Ukraine to Venezuela to the streets of American cities. It has gone from a fringe issue to the topic of daily headlines. But there is a ton of misinformation out there, and most people don't know much about its causes – much less its solutions. On Forced from Home, we will talk to the people on the frontlines of global displacement and the global decision makers shaping how the world responds – about everything from life in a war zone to economics to politics. Listen in for smart, practical insights that will help make sense of these issues – and share ways that you can get engaged.

Publisher

Refugees International

Category

government · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Mar 2026

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   "The war for Tigrayans has never ended." How Renewed Conflict in Ethiopia Echoes Past Violence

   "Renewed" violence in northern Ethiopia has been making headlines, but did the conflict in Tigray ever really end? Over the past month, a resurgence of violence between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front has made headlines. While the Pretoria Agreement was once heralded as a deal that would bring lasting peace in Tigray, the recent flurry of military activity indicates it is unraveling. This round of conflict poses severe risks for a population that has struggled to recover from the 2020-2022 war. People across Tigray are suffering from humanitarian funding cuts and the federal government's obstruction of aid delivery. Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence still face challenges in acessing the health and psychosocial care they need. And heightened instability in Sudan and the Red Sea means another bout of war could be much more destructive and escalate into a complex regional crisis. In this episode, we hear from Meaza Gebremedhin, Executive Director of Harambee Collective, about the conditions Tigrayans have endured since the end of the previous war in 2022 and the toll that systematic sexual violence has had on women and girls. We also hear from Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon recently back from a medical mission in Mekelle, about his time there. Timed Takeaways: [05:51 ] Understanding past and present: The collapse of the Pretoria agreement and Ethiopia's current military escalation in Tigray [12:15] Widespread deprivation: aid cuts, the humanitarian blockade, and a deteriorating health system [19:50] *Content Warning* Sexual violence as a weapon of war [30:58] Averting catastrophe: what's needed to deliver aid and cease violence [47:51] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: "Women's Bodies Were the Battleground": Survivors Left Behind amid Tigray's Uncertain Peace - Refugees International Why renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray risks a regional war - Reuters US condemns drone strike on Catholic Relief convoy in Tigray, urges investigation, dialogue - Addis Standard Refugees International Statement on Israeli Evacuation Order in Gaza - Refugees International Gaza's Ceasefire Has a Human Test. It Is Failing - Refugees International ICE shooting of man in New York with child in his car sparks outrage - PBS News Two-Thirds of Voters Back the U.S. Refugee Program, Majorities Oppose Current U.S. Immigration Enforcement Policies - Refugee Advocacy Lab If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Sarah Miller and Abdullahi Boru Halakhe.

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Live from UNGA: Can the Next UN Secretary-General Save International Humanitarian Law?

   How will the next UN Secretary General navigate a world in which the rules and institutions created to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian norms are under unprecedented threat? The commitments to preserve peace and uphold international law are at the core of the UN Charter. But as states are abandoning their commitments to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and avoiding accountability for attacks on aid workers and hospitals, the UN's credibility is collapsing before our eyes. The UN, founded as an institution "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," has been unable to overcome widespread dysfunction and deep division – it is failing to deliver on its fundamental purpose to improve the world for humankind. As the UN grapples with its raison d'etre, the next Secretary-General will take the reins in 2027. Will the UN's new leader have the courage to lead with moral clarity and consistency to defend humanitarian law and restore faith in global cooperation at this critical moment? In this live episode of Forced from Home, recorded on the margins of UNGA 2026 in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House, we hear from Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, Perry World House Professor of the Practice of Law and Human Rights at the University of Pennsylvania, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Tirana Hassan, CEO of Doctors Without Borders – USA and a Thakore Visiting Fellow at Perry World House; and Rita French, Director of Policy and Diplomatic Engagement at Article 109. They share their perspectives on the collapse of IHL, the need for institutional reform across the UN, and the role the next UN Secretary-General must play to tackle the scale and urgency of present and future humanitarian challenges. Timed Takeaways: [04:12] What it looks like when IHL collapses: a field perspective from Doctors Without Borders [08:03] Understanding the consequences of double standards on the UN's credibility and moral authority [15:59] The reverberating effects of U.S. aid cuts across humanitarian responses [21:05] Healing a flawed system: reforming the UN Security Council [27:14] Examining Secretary-General Guterres' legacy [31:27] A new SG and a new era: addressing transactional politics and leading with a moral compass in the face of IHL violations [41:42] Identifying the skills needed to be an effective Secretary-General If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our audio engineer for this episode is Corey Poindexter. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Colleen Cronnelly, Tara Medeiros, Lauren Anderson, and Mark Wood.

3. 

   17 Sept 2026

   What We Saw in Somalia

   Communities in Somalia are on the brink. Somalia is one of just three countries where the United States has fully cut off all lifesaving humanitarian aid - and the effects have been devastating. The last time the U.S. cut off humanitarian aid in 2010-2011, the country experienced a famine that killed 260,000 people. With Somalia again experiencing a years-long drought and facing a historically catastrophic El Niño flooding cycle expected to wipe out harvests again this fall, the added challenge of the abrupt aid cutoff may tip the country into famine. Meanwhile, the U.S. is also pushing to end the UN peacekeeping support mission there, which risks destabilizing the fragile progress in recent years on the security front. And while it is withholding humanitarian funding, the U.S. is bombing Somalia more than ever, and has even signed a security cooperation agreement with one of the regional governments. In this episode, we hear from Refugees International's Jeremy Konyndyk and Abdullahi Boru Halakhe, Senior Advocate for East and Southern Africa, who are just back from a trip to Somalia. They assess the impacts of the aid cutoff, what it means for famine risk and security prospects in Somalia, and what global leaders must do now. Timed Takeaways: [03:05] Stories from the ground: what the absence of U.S. aid has meant for families [12:41] Addressing the risk of famine and lessons learned from the 2011 response [22:01]  Unpacking the security context: humanitarian and military policies at odds [35:36] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Just Back from Somalia: Refugees International Warns of a Narrowing Window to Prevent Famine & Mortality - Refugees International Whatever happened to the U.S. famine alert system that Trump shut down, then reopened - NPR U.S. Plans to End Somalia Peacekeeping Support - Legis1 'It's like a dog set loose on us' - fear over Kenya's crackdown on foreign traders - BBC For thousands of Haitians in the U.S., end of protected status brings fear, grief and defiance - NPR Trump administration allows TPS to continue for Salvadorans – for now - NPR Syrians Protest as Surge in Fuel Prices Adds to Cost-of-Living Crisis - New York Times If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Arva Hassonjee.

4. 

   3 Sept 2026

   "Genocide has not ended": Rohingya in Exile

   It has been nine years since the Rohingya people endured a genocidal campaign at the hands of the Myanmar military that forced more than 700,000 people to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Most still live there in the world's largest refugee settlement. As Rohingya refugees look ahead to the tenth year of their exile from their homeland, they are also facing compounding hardships: dramatic funding cuts to lifesaving food aid, restrictions on their right to work, and limited educational opportunities. These conditions are driving thousands to dangerous journeys by sea in search of safety in other countries. Hundreds have died at sea this year alone. With little prospects of a safe return home, Rohingya are left to wonder about their future – and whether the perpetrators of this genocide will ever be held accountable. In this episode, we hear from Lucky Karim, founder of Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, about the current conditions that Rohingya refugees are facing in the Cox's Bazar refugee camp. Then, we hear from Tun Khin, president of Burmese Rohingya Organization of the UK, who discusses the historical persecution of the Rohingya people in Myanmar, the mass violence that started this genocide in 2017, and the need for international justice. Timed Takeaways: [4:46] Lucky Karim shares current situation for Rohingya refugees living in Cox's Bazar [13:58] Tun Khin on efforts to bring accountability and justice for the Rohingya [39:24] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Ending the Cycle of Flight for the Rohingya Requires a Political Reckoning - The Diplomat Rohingya Crisis Enters Tenth Year - Refugees International My Rohingya People Are Running Out of Time - New York Times Third Country Deportation Watch - Refugees International and Human Rights First Guatemala says it received nearly 2,300 US-deported Mexicans - DW After Deportees Resist Arrival in Liberia, U.S. Flies Them to Another Country - New York Times Human Rights First and Refugees International Third Country Deportation Watch Details the Expanding Scope and Toll of Third Country Transfer Agreements - Refugees International Whatever happened to the U.S. famine alert system that Trump shut down, then reopened - NPR Trump cut climate aid to Nepal – just over a year later devastating floods struck - The Independent If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Dan Sullivan.

5. 

   20 Aug 2026

   A Seat at the Table: Advancing Meaningful Inclusion of Refugee Leaders with Dr. Hourie Tafech

   The international humanitarian system was established without refugees informing its design, and for too long, displaced people were excluded from decision-making processes that directly touched their lives. International institutions have taken steps to give refugees a seat at the table and enable local leaders – who know best what their communities need – to make more resource and policy decisions. While progress has been made over the past decade to ensure refugees are effectively included in policy discussions and represented in international forums, there is more work to be done to shift power to refugees across the humanitarian system. In this episode, we hear from Refugees International's own Dr. Hourie Tafech about her own refugee leadership journey and the evolution of the global refugee-led movement. She discusses the crucial role refugee leaders have played in shaping international humanitarian policy decisions and the UN Refugee Agency's operations. She offers ideas to advance meaningful refugee participation across global platforms and measure the impact of refugee inclusion. Timed Takeaways: [07:03] From grassroots advocacy to UNHCR's headquarters: One refugee's leadership journey [13:28] The evolution of refugee participation in international fora and what constitutes meaningful refugee engagement [21:07] Addressing challenges: The impact of aid cuts and systemic barriers on the refugee-led movement [26:22] The role of allyship and partnership in empowering refugee leaders [32:03] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Power, Trust and Change: Refugee Leaders in Dialogue with UNHCR Candidates - Refugees International Refugee Leadership: Tools, Challenges, and the Path Forward - Refugees International Refugee Space - R-Space Refugees Seeking Equal Access at the Table  - R-SEAT No One Died? New Frontline Evidence from Afghanistan on Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Deaths following the Withdrawal of U.S. Assistance - Refugees International Governor Hochul's Letter to Secretary of Homeland Security: Terminating Temporary Protected Status for Hundreds of Thousands of Immigrants is a Reckless and Inhumane Act - Governor Hochul Why Thousands of Florida's Workers Are Disappearing - Wall Street Journal Urgent: Congress Must Act Now to Protect Haitian TPS Holders in our Community - Refugees International A look at Spain's plan to give undocumented migrants legal status - PBS NewsHour If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Hourie Tafech.

6. 

   6 Aug 2026

   The Refugee Convention at 75: An Important Legacy, an Uncertain Future

   For 75 years, the 1951 Refugee Convention has served as a global commitment to protect refugees, and as a tool for states to manage global displacement. But today, many of the world's 41 million refugees face attacks on their rights and governments that seek to return them to harm. We reflect on the history of the Convention, how this foundational document has served refugees and governments over the years, and the failure of many states to meet their obligations to protect refugees today. In this episode, we hear from scholar James Hathaway about the objectives, intentions, and limitations of the Convention. He discusses how the Convention balances states' interests and refugee rights and offers ideas to improve international systems and enhance refugee protection considering current political realities. Then we sit down with Human Rights First's Eleanor Acer who unpacks how governments, including the Trump administration, are undermining the core tenets of refugee protection and mischaracterizing global displacement dynamics. She offers potential reforms to ensure the Convention is relevant to today's world. Time Takeaways [3:17] What is the Refugee Convention? [5:06] Discretion v. obligation: states' roles in protecting refugees' rights [8:04] There is no "right way" to become a refugee – because states haven't built one [16:27] How multilateral cooperation and enforceable commitments can improve the global refugee system [34:40] Unpacking the Trump Administration's critiques of the Refugee Convention [39:15] Global trends: are other governments following the United States' lead or affirming their commitment to the Convention? [48:17] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Panel "The Global Refugee and Asylum System: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It" - The Department of State Keynote Address by UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman: UK-US Security Priorities for the 21st Century - American Enterprise Institute The 50 by 35 vision - UNHCR The Global Cop-Out on Refugees – James Hathaway Global Civil Society Coalition Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Refugee Convention - Human Rights First UN Agrees to Historic Global Compact on Refugees - Refugees International How 50,000 People Surged Into a Spanish Exclave in Africa - New York Times Spanish PM Sanchez fends off blistering criticism within the EU over Ceuta crisis - ABC After Most Migrants Leave Ceuta, Exhausted Holdouts Find Shelter on Beach - New York Times Urgent: Congress Must Act Now to Protect Haitian TPS Holders in our Community - Refugees International Tigray refugees flee into Sudan after deadly violence on Ethiopia border - Al Jazeera If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Yael Schacher.

7. 

   23 Jul 2026

   Compounding Crises: The Ebola Outbreak and Conflict in Eastern DRC with Dr. Craig Spencer, Julien Harneis, and Mvemba Dizolele

   The Ebola outbreak surging throughout eastern Congo could be the largest in history and one of the most challenging to defeat. Ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, significant U.S. aid cuts, and overextended healthcare systems are complicating efforts to respond and contain the disease. Worse, this outbreak is fueled by a strain of Ebola–the Bundibugyo species– that does not have an approved vaccine to treat. In this episode, we learn from Dr. Craig Spencer about how Ebola spreads and the factors fueling the current Bundibugyo outbreak. He shares his extensive experience treating patients during previous Ebola outbreaks and describes the ramifications of the United States' retreat from its leadership in global health. We then hear from UN Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis who is on the ground in eastern Congo. He talks about what he's seeing in affected communities and what is needed to end the outbreak. To round the episode, we sit down with Mvemba Dizolele who delves into the complex interplay between governance challenges, public health, and the legacy of conflict in eastern Congo and how these dynamics are impacting the international response today. Timed Takeaways: [5:53] Ebola 101: understanding the disease's transmission and symptoms [7:49] A survivor's perspective on Ebola and the importance of quality healthcare [15:12] Unpacking the current outbreak: tackling the Bundibugyo virus, Ebola response challenges in DRC, and the importance of U.S. leadership [33:58] Dispatch from Bunia: On the ground with UN's Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis [45:02] Understanding the context: past and present conflicts and governance challenges in eastern Congo [51:15] The role of trust and good governance in mounting an effective Ebola response [59:53] Prospects for a humanitarian ceasefire and the United States' role in ending the conflict [1:08:53] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: DR Congo neighbors boost preparedness as Ebola cases surge - DW DRC – Internal Displacement Overview 2026 - IOM I Survived Ebola. This Is What Scares Me Most About This Outbreak. - New York Times Opinion: This Could Be the Worst Ebola Outbreak in History - New York Times Musk says work to stop Ebola was accidentally cut but restored. Experts raise doubts - NPR US, Congo Ebola Travel Restrictions May Hamper Humanitarian Aid Response - Bloomberg The President's Inbox Recap: Conflict in Eastern Congo - Council on Foreign Relations How Rebels in Congo Could Use Ebola to Consolidate Their Power - New York Times Rwanda–DRC Peace Deal: Trump Owns It. Now What? - Just Security Refugees International Calls for Full and Independent Investigations into Killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal - Refugees International Refugees International Calls for Renewed Aid and Rescue Efforts Amid Latest Rohingya Boat Tragedy - Refugees International Lucky Karim's Interview with Al Jazeera – Al Jazeera Urgent: Congress Must Act Now to Protect Haitian TPS Holders in our Community - Refugees International If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Priscilla Lecomte and Abdullahi Halakhe.

8. 

   9 Jul 2026

   What do Venezuela's Earthquakes Mean for its Refugee Crisis and for U.S. Immigration Policy? With Ana Maria Diez

   On June 24, two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing thousands and displacing countless more – driving the country into a deeper humanitarian crisis. This catastrophe occurs at a moment when many Venezuelan refugees are growing disillusioned; the U.S. tells them it is safe to return home even as it sits side-by-side with sanctioned leaders from the regime that they fled. In this episode, we hear from Ana Maria Diez, a human rights lawyer and Venezuelan living in displacement, to understand the current earthquake response efforts and how this emergency is affecting people who have faced a longstanding humanitarian, economic, and political crisis. She talks about the false narrative that conditions have improved since Maduro's capture, how the Trump administration is cozying up with officials in the regime it claims to have overthrown, and the importance of advancing Venezuelan refugees' rights to participate in a democratic transition of the government. Timed Takeaways: [5:58] The fallout from the earthquakes and potential government interference in recovery efforts [15:20] Turning back the clock: why have 8 million people fled Venezuela? [18:16] Ana Maria's story: forced to flee her country [21:47] Same regime, different face: how the U.S. is backing repressive Maduro-aligned leaders [31:06] The power of collective action in the refugee-led movement [39:29] What it really means to leave your country [42:08] Maria's story: the toll of compounding crises on Venezuelans [47:53] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Inside 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' the U.S. Effort to Capture Maduro - New York Times U.S. Undercuts Venezuela's Opposition Leader as She Tries to Return- New York Times Earthquakes in Venezuela: Situation Report #13 - UNOCHA Temporary Protected Status protects families while also boosting the U.S. economy - FWD.us U.S. handshakes with Cabello sparks outrage across Venezuelan social media - Miami Herald Narcotics Rewards Program: Diosdado Cabello Rondón - U.S. Department of State Trump administration tweet ending TPS for Venezuelans - X International Technical Meeting on Human Mobility of Venezuelan Citizens in the Region (Quito Process) - IOM Independent Declaration on the Right to Participate - The Declaration Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Updates - ASAP Urgent: Congress Must Act Now to Protect Haitian TPS Holders in our Community - Refugees International WHO adds first diagnostic test for Ebola Bundibugyo virus to its Emergency Use Listing - WHO US soccer star Trump intervened to help is a citizen by birthright - which the president wants to end - The Independent They fled war as child refugees, now they're playing at World Cup 2026 - Al Jazeera Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup Team Is Already Changing the Country's Story - Time If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Rachel Schmidtke and Eliza Leal.

9. 

   26 Jun 2026

   "My Freedom was Taken from me." Exposing Trump's Shady Third Country Deportation Deals

   Why did the famously corrupt Vice President of Equatorial Guinea ask Stephen Miller to visit his country? It's all about deportations. The Trump administration has cut numerous shady agreements with foreign governments to forcibly deport thousands of people granted protection by U.S. courts to countries where they have no ties and could be subject to detention, abuse, or deportation back to the countries they originally fled. These cruel deals are one of the administration's harshest tools to deter people from seeking refuge in the U.S. and funnel resources to governments with a track record of corruption and repression. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Yael Schacher, Refugees International's Director for the Americas and Europe and co-lead with our partners at Human Rights First on the Third Country Deportation Watch project. She spells out the various deals the Trump administration has made with governments around the world and what toll they're exacting at a human level. We're also joined by Tutu Alicante, founder of Equatorial Guinea Justice, who offers insight into how corrupt governments – including Equatorial Guinea – are benefitting from third country deportation agreements. Timed Takeaways: [5:10] How did we get here? The Trump administration's assault on the right to refuge [11:11] Setting the scene: the political landscape in Equatorial Guinea [15:14] Exploring the transactional nature of these deals [28:31] Costa Rica: the second largest recipient of deportees from the U.S. [34:00] How is the U.S. legitimizing corrupt leaders with these agreements? [41:04] Cruelty by design: the human impact of these forced transfers [49:05] Khadija's story: the human toll of third country deportations [53:26] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Third Country Deportation Watch - Third Country Deportation Watch US has sent $7.5m to Equatorial Guinea to accept noncitizen deportees - The Guardian Latin America Gets Into Deal-Making Mode for Rubio's Visit - New York Times Venezuelans deported by US detail fresh claims of torture and abuse at El Salvador mega-prison - The Guardian New FAO-WFP report warns worsening hunger puts 13 hotspots at significant risk - UN World Food Program Refugees International Sounds Alarm on Imminent Atrocities in El Obeid, Sudan - Refugees International U.S. Cutoff of Vital Aid to Ethiopia Risks Hunger and Instability - Refugees International Tell Congress: No Hidden Money for Israeli War Crimes - Refugees International Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower's Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID - Nicholas Enrich Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera - Pro Publica Trump's Most Lethal Policy - New York Times Rovina's Choice - Rovina's Choice If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Yael Schacher, Rachel Schmitdke, and Eliza Leal.

10. 

    11 Jun 2026

    "You Promised Us Safety.": How the U.S. is Abandoning Afghan Refugees

    Thousands of Afghans who once supported the U.S. government were promised refuge in the United States after the Taliban took control of the capital, Kabul, in 2021. The Trump administration has broken that promise, leaving Afghan refugees in a state of uncertainty and is reportedly considering deporting them to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.S. government has further harmed Afghans by suspending special refugee resettlement programs and eliminating U.S. foreign aid funding to organizations in Afghanistan. In this episode, we hear from a young woman who the U.S. has left stranded in Qatar with her family and over a thousand other Afghan allies. She talks about the struggles of living in a state of limbo and how she hopes to rebuild her life in the United States. Then, we meet with Rina Amiri, former U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, to learn about how the Trump administration's policy shifts have harmed Afghan families, undermined U.S. credibility on the global stage, and enabled the Taliban to impose a gender apartheid in Afghanistan. Timed Takeaways: [06:20] The realities of one family's experience fleeing Afghanistan [10:42] Living in limbo in Camp As Sayliyah [16:31] The shocking possibility that the U.S. might deport Afghans to DRC [20:56] Broken promises and one Afghan's hope to pursue her education in the U.S. [27:19] The toolkit the USG once had, and now dismantled, to support Afghan women and girls [35:25] The Trump administration's brutal betrayal of Afghan allies and its implications for U.S. strategic interests [45:49] How the United States' retreat has empowered the Taliban in its persecution of women [51:31] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Budget Hearing – Department of State and Related Programs  - House Appropriations Committee Primer: The Ongoing U.S. Betrayal of Afghan Wartime Allies - #AfghanEvac Camp As Sayliyah Overview - #AfghanEvac Afghans Who Helped U.S. Forces Say They're Being Pushed Back to the Taliban – New York Times US moved over 1,000 refugees to Doha base. War has brought it into crosshairs - ABC "No One Cares About Us Anymore": How U.S. Aid Cuts Have Intensified the Crisis for Women and Girls in Afghanistan - Refugees International The United States Is Betraying Its Afghan Allies. The World Will Take Note. - The Diplomat Champions of the Golden Valley - Olympics.com Rubio slams USAID, refutes numbers of children dead from cuts - Devex A Generational Collapse: Tracking the Toll of Trump's Humanitarian Aid Cuts - Refugees International US has accepted almost 6,000 refugees this year – and all are South Africans after Trump prioritised whites - The Independent Trump Benefit Freeze for Travel Ban Countries Found Unlawful - Bloomberg Law Tell the White House: Keep Our Promise to Refugees - Refugees International Register for Refugees International World Refugee Day Events - Refugees International If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Devon Cone, Mohammed Naeem, Priyali Sur, and Shawn VanDiver.

11. 

    28 May 2026

    "They're everything it means to be American": Protecting Refugees in Minneapolis with Major Jacob Frey

    Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's aggressive anti-immigrant operation across the Minneapolis–St. Paul region in Minnesota, brutalized members of the local community, including lawful refugees, immigrants, and American citizens alike. At this year's Refugees International Advocacy Awards, we presented the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award to Mayor Jacob Frey, whose courageous leadership protected refugees and community members in the face of ICE and CBP's assaults across Minneapolis. In this episode, we hear from Mayor Frey about the city's legacy of welcoming refugees and immigrants, what it was like living through Operation Metro Surge, and the power of community action and local emergency response. Timed Takeaways: [02:36] The social fabric of the city of Minneapolis and the integral role of refugees and migrants [07:44] On the ground during Operation Metro Surge [14:32] Mounting a local response: municipal tools, mutual aid groups, and the power of a welcoming community [22:25] The obstacles to engaging the Trump administration and the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens [29:33] Accountability for ICE and CBP abuses [31:49] Honoring the contributions of refugees and migrants in Minneapolis and the harms of scapegoating immigrant communities [36:00] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Minneapolis grapples with the impact of Trump's largest immigration crackdown yet - NPR Refugees International Celebrates Frontline Leadership at 2026 Advocacy Awards, Honoring Mayor Jacob Frey and Palestinian Healthcare Workers in Gaza - Refugees International The Team Meticiously Tracking ICE Deportations to Third Countries - This Week on ICE This Week on ICE Podcast - Spotify Minnesota Proved MAGA Wrong - The Atlantic Strong Majority of U.S. Voters Support Refugee Resettlement as Administration Plans to Slash Program by Nearly 95 Percent - Refugee Advocacy Lab State Violence and Community Resistance in Minnesota - Human Rights Watch ICE agent charged in shooting of immigrant during Minneapolis crackdown - Washington Post From Bogotá to El Fasher: The UAE's Role in the Deployment of Colombian Fighters and Other Backing to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan - Human Rights Watch Blood on the Ball - bloodontheball.org Refugees International Condemns the Racialization of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program - Refugees International Why this Ebola outbreak will be so difficult to contain - Washington Post Leadership, Agency, and a New Architecture of Recovery – IV Annual Ukrainian Aid Leadership Conference - Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Kate Brick and Jen Schmid.

12. 

    14 May 2026

    "One Emergency After Another." The Assault on Medical Care in Gaza with Dr. Thaer Ahmad

    Despite a nominal ceasefire, life for people in Gaza remains grim, Israel continues to obstruct humanitarian and medical aid, and enormous needs persist. At this year's Refugees International Advocacy Awards, we presented the Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership Award to Dr. Thaer Ahmad, in honor of Palestinian healthcare workers in Gaza whose extraordinary service has saved lives under unimaginable conditions. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Thaer Ahmad about his experience providing emergency medical care in Gaza, the consequences of the Israeli government's restrictions on medical supplies and attacks on hospitals, and the importance of advocacy in the face of inhumanity. Timed Takeaways [3:00] Inside Gaza's hospitals in the early days of the war [14:27] "On the brink of collapse": the impacts of obstructing emergency medical equipment [22:25] "A miserable process:" medical evacuations for Palestinians in and from Gaza [27:33] Targeted violence on the health system in Gaza and the detention of Palestinian doctors [40:07] The West Bank: navigating emergency care as checkpoints proliferate [43:58] The power of advocacy: protesting the Biden administration's military support to Israel [52:25] The harms of passive voice and the need to humanize Palestinian victims of violence [56:06] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide - The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Thematic Report: Attacks on hospitals during the escalation of hostilities in Gaza (7 October 2023 - 30 June 2024) - The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Humanitarian Scorecard: Six Months In, Gaza Ceasefire is Failing - Refugees International Palestinians Flee as Israeli Forces Raid a Major Hospital in Gaza - New York Times How the Israeli army besieged and attacked Nasser hospital - Doctors without Borders Scorecard: Israel Fails to Comply with U.S. Humanitarian Access Demands in Gaza - Refugees International Update from WHO DG on People Needing Medical Evacuation in Gaza - Director-General of the World Health Organization US halts visitor visas used for medical trips from Gaza - BBC Human Rights Groups Petition Israel's High Court: Immediately Allow Medical Evacuations from Gaza to the West Bank and East Jerusalem - Adalah Your questions about our work in Gaza, answered - Doctors without Borders The Voice of Hind Rajab (https://www.thevoiceofhindrajabfilm.com/) This doctor walked out of a Biden meeting to protest Gaza - NPR Idealism, Diplomacy and Power: Tony Lake's Story - American Foreign Service Association A Conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates - The Key Magazine Eyewitnesses Recount Deadly Israeli Attack on Medics in Gaza - New York Times Lebanon Flash Update #24 - OCHA Lebanon says two paramedics among 13 killed in Israeli strikes - BBC Co-Chairs Call on U.S. Corporations to Reassess UAE Partnerships Amid Sudan Atrocity Concerns - Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Refugees International – Ways to Take Action Refugee Advocacy Lab (https://www.refugeeadvocacylab.org/) If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Eliza Leal and Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music.

13. 

    30 Apr 2026

    "No one was spared." The war in Sudan and the genocide in Darfur with Representative Sara Jacobs and Emi Mahmoud

    The world just passed the three year mark of the war in Sudan - the largest displacement and humanitarian crisis in the world. We spoke with U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA) about the impact the war has had on Sudanese civilians and refugees, the role of external actors in fueling the conflict, and what the United States can do to help end it. Then, we met with Emi Mahmoud, a renowned poet, author, and humanitarian activist who grew up in Darfur to hear about the RSF's genocidal violence in Darfur and how local community groups are supporting each other across Sudan. Timed Takeaways [0:46] Setting the scene: unpacking the scale of the crisis and warring parties in Sudan [4:24] Representative Jacobs on the impact of aid cuts for Sudanese refugees [8:00] Representative Jacobs on the role of the UAE in fueling the conflict in Sudan [13:35] Representative Jacobs on needed U.S. leadership and congressional engagement to end the war in Sudan [19:20] Representative Jacobs on setting the record straight about migration management at the U.S. southern border [24:03] Emi Mahmoud on the RSF's atrocities and siege of El Fasher, Darfur [33:00] Emi Mahmoud on the role of racism and Arabization in the war in Sudan [43:44] Preventing further deaths in Sudan and ways to take action [52:08] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week [54:30] Tribute to former Refugees International President Lionel Rosenblatt Mentioned in This Episode: Aid and Accountability for Sudanese Refugees in Chad – Refugees International The Darfur Genocide Never Ended - New York Times Refugees International Calls for Action: New Evidence of United Arab Emirates Fueling Genocide in Sudan – Refugees International Refugees International Take Action: NO Weapons Sales to the UAE Until They End Support for Genocide in Sudan – Refugees International https://www.speakoutonsudan.org/ darfuridp.org Afghans Who Helped U.S. Forces Say They're Being Pushed Back to the Taliban – New York Times Risk of Renewed War in Tigray: Painful Reminders From Ethiopia's Last War Demand Action to Prevent Another - Just Security Refugees International Honors the Life of Former President Lionel Rosenblatt – Refugees International Lionel Rosenblatt Dies at 82; Led Daring Rescue of Vietnamese Refugees - New York Times Lionel Rosenblatt is dead at 82. He defied his bosses to help hundreds flee Vietnam - Washington Post Speak Out on Sudan www.speakoutonsudan.org (http://www.speakoutonsudan.org) Darfur IDP Humanitarian Network (http://darfuridp.org) darfuridp.org If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy.  Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Etant Dupain, Eliza Leal, and Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Dan Sullivan and Mohammed Naeem.

14. 

    17 Apr 2026

    The Human Cost of the War in Iran with Vali Nasr

    Forced from Home is proud to present our first-ever episode. In just a month and half, the US/Israeli war with Iran has been felt across the Middle East, and millions of people have been forcibly displaced within their country and across borders. From Iran to Lebanon, civilians are experiencing grave harm from constant bombardment on critical civilian infrastructure, including power plants, schools, health care facilities, and historical sites. Vali Nasr is a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and a New York Times bestselling author on Iran. Nasr is the author, most recently, of "Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History by Vali Nasr." We sat down to discuss the human toll of the conflict and how Iranians are experiencing the war; the risk that state collapse in Iran could spark mass regional displacement; and how the erosion of international humanitarian law is ultimately a threat to regional stability. [2:19] The outlook for the war [7:12] Iranians are experiencing a deliberate "war against the people" [12:44] "Gaza rules" and the implications for US strategic aims [17:51] Is "state collapse" plausible? [22:58] Displacement dynamics - where might Iranians seek refuge? [25:09] Iran's regional proxies and their links to humanitarian crises [31:02] Setting the record straight: the risks of destroying social fabrics [36:30] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Iran's Schools and Hospitals in Ruins, Times Analysis Shows - NYT Why This War Could Be a "Turning Point" for the Global Order - Gita Wirjawan Humanitarian Scorecard: Six Months In, Gaza Ceasefire is Failing - Refugees International Congo says it will receive third-country deportees from the U.S. under new deal - PBS https://www.thirdcountrydeportationwatch.org/ Take Action: Speak Out on Sudan - Refugees International If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org (mailto:ri@refugeesinternational.org) Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy.  Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Etant Dupain, Eliza Leal, and Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Darya and Vali Nasr.

15. 

    30 Mar 2026

    Forced From Home

    Welcome to "Forced From Home"

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5 ratings

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