Together for Change
The NGO Refugee Group (NRG) fosters collaboration among local and international organizations to advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees in Kenya. Through joint efforts in policy dialogue and coordinated responses, we aim to empower communities and influence sustainable solutions for those in need.
The NRG seeks to mobilize international financial and policy support to the benefit of refugees and hosting communities in Kenya.
Who We Are
The NGO Refugee Group (NRG) is a coordination body of international and national NGOS working in the refugee space in Kenya. Members benefit from joint dialogue, joint advocacy, and coordinated emergency response, and seek to influence national policy towards rights-based-approaches.Â
The NRG was conceptualized by the International NGO Country Director Forum (INGO) in 2019 and held its first meeting in January 2020. Since then, it has convened monthly and grown in its membership to 60 member organizations.
The NRG collaborates with communities, Refugee Led Organizations, the Government of Kenya, donors, UN actors, private sector, and international financial institutions toward positive outcomes for refugees and hosting communities. It brings a unique and critical perspective, amplifying the voice of civil society and often acting as a bridge between policy and practice.
How We Work
Bolstering Policy
Developing recommendations to support policy conceptualization, regulation, and implementation.
Joint Advocacy
Joint advocacy in partnership with all stakeholders.
Resource Mobilization
Resource mobilization for the refugee response.
Stakeholder Engagement
Direct engagement and coordination with external stakeholders such as: affected communities, Refugee Led Organizations, the Government of Kenya, Donors, UN actors, private sector, and international financial institutions.
Generating Technical Evidence
We generate and consolidate sector-based and technical evidence to inform policy, coordination, and funding decisions. Through joint analysis, gap assessments, and technical inputs, we help move discussions beyond anecdote toward solutions grounded in operational reality.
Coordination Meetings
Monthly meetings with members to develop a collective strategy for durable solutions and the humanitarian response.
Bolstering Policy
Developing recommendations to support policy conceptualization, regulation, and implementation.
Joint Advocacy
Joint advocacy in partnership with all stakeholders.
Resource Mobilization
Resource mobilization for the refugee response.
NRG Members
The NRG comprises 60 national and international NGOs in the humanitarian and development space that are working on refugee issues in Kenya. To be eligible for membership an organization must be a registered nonprofit organization working in the refugee space in Kenya.
Our Team
The NRG is led by a steering committee composed of two permanent steering committee members, a Chair, and two Co-Chairs. The Chair and the Co-Chairs are selected by the membership during a biennial election and voting process conducted in Q4 of the calendar year.
The NRG leadership is represented at the country level, and at the field level, with one chair and two co-chairs at the Nairobi level, and one field chair for Kakuma- Kalobeyei, Dadaab and the Urban areas. The NRG has a secretariat to implement its activities. Direction is provided by the Chair and Co-Chairs with actions implemented by a full time NRG Coordinator who organizes and facilitates NRG meetings and implements the agreed actions decided by the membership.
We are supported by an Advisory Group composed of an Advocacy Task Team and representatives from Refugee-Led Organization (RLO) networks. This group provides expert insight, identifies priority advocacy issues, and helps shape coordinated positions on refugee protection and solutions. Working closely with the NRG Secretariat, the Advisory Group ensures that advocacy efforts are evidence-based, inclusive, and grounded in both technical expertise and the lived experiences of refugee communities. To learn more about becoming a member, contact: ngorefugeegroup.kenya@gmail.com.
Barlet Jaji
Chair
Executive Director
Refugee Consortium of Kenya
Doris Kawira
Co-Chair
Country Director
HIAS, Kenya
Jacob Bonyo
Co-Chair
Country Director
Refuge Point
Mohamed El Montassir
Permanent Steering Committee Member
Country Director
International Rescue Committee
Simon Nzioka ​
Permanent Steering Committee Member
Country Director
Danish Refugee Council, Kenya
Hassan Dubat
NRG Field Chair, Kakuma
Area Manager
Kakuma, Danish Refugee Council
Daniel Kariuki
NRG Field Chair, Dadaab
Area Manager
International Rescue Committee
Thomas Obulutsa
NRG Field Chair, Urban
Head of Programs
HIAS, Kenya
Abedi Salvador
RLO Network Representative
Kakuma Chair
KKRIN
Siyad Tawane Aden
RLO Network Representative
Dadaab Chair
DARLON
Amy Oloo
NGO Refugee Group Coordinator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join as a member?
To join the NRG as a member, you need to be a registered nonprofit organization in the humanitarian or development space working on refugee issues in Kenya. To learn more about becoming a member, contact ngorefugeegroup.kenya@gmail.com.
Who can represent my organization within the NRG
Each NGO is required to nominate a main representative, and an alternate, who will act as their organization’s representative within the NRG. While an organization may select any individual as their representative to the NRG, a majority of the NRG representatives are Country Directors, Executive Directors, and their deputies.
What are the membership benefits?
NRG members are presented with an opportunity to collaborate within a network of experts in refugee and humanitarian programming, and to increase the impact and visibility of their work, in addition to influencing refugee related policy at a high level. The NRG also seeks to facilitate workshops and development opportunities for its members and provides access to key stakeholders in the humanitarian space that members can leverage.
Can an individual join the NRG?
The NRG is only open to nonprofit organizations, although each organization is required to nominate an individual and an alternate to represent it within the NRG.
Are there membership tiers or fees?
There are no official membership tiers, although you may choose to join the NRG as an observer, as opposed to an active member. Observer members usually limit their participation to attending NRG meetings, and socials, whereas active members usually explore opportunities to present their work, and undertake joint advocacy, research and other activities alongside the rest of the active membership. There are no membership fees.
Where does the NRG meet?
The NRG meets in-person with online participation possible. In-person participation is encouraged. The meeting details, agenda, and online meeting details are circulated to members ahead of the meeting.
What is the membership approval process?
If you are interested in joining the NRG, kindly email ngorefugeegroup.kenya@gmail.com.
Membership applications are subject to further approval from the NRG steering committee and membership.
Does NRG membership lapse?
NRG memberships do not lapse, but you may alert the NRG coordinator in the event that you no longer wish to be a member of the NRG via ngorefugeegroup.kenya@gmail.com.
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