Yeukai Chideya
Clinical Social Worker and Founder of Ruremekedzo Project

Yeukai Chideya is a clinical social worker with extensive experience working with refugees and people affected by humanitarian crises. From 2011 to 2020, she held several senior managerial positions at the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture in Cape Town, South Africa. Part of Yeukai's responsibilities included providing psychosocial support to the refugee population in Cape Town. In 2014, Yeukai founded the Ruremekedzo Project, an organization committed to offering relief and assistance to those affected or displaced by humanitarian crises in Africa and beyond. Since 2020, Yeukai has worked as a research project manager within the Institute for Life Course Health Research at Stellenbosch University, where she is enrolled as a PhD candidate in Public Health. Her research interests are trauma, sexual reproductive health, mental health, and refugee studies.

Talk: Restoring the Dignity of People in Crisis: A Role for Technology
Abstract: In a world marked by rising conflicts and forced displacement, asylum seekers and refugees continue to seek refuge in foreign lands, seeking a better life. However, this vulnerable population encounters numerous challenges in their host countries, where resources to support them are often scarce. Addressing the complex challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees requires collaborative efforts from individuals, the private sector, non-profit organizations, and governments. This talk will provide an overview of the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees in South Africa. It will also share the speaker’s personal mission to provide assistance and relief to people displaced by humanitarian crises, emphasizing the importance of collective action in alleviating their suffering. Furthermore, it will explore the vital role that technology can play in restoring the dignity of people in crisis.