Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee
Topic A: The Plight of Urban Refugees
Topic B: The Situation in East Africa
Topic Description
The Third Committee of the General Assembly—Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural (SOCHUM)—focuses on the protection of human rights and the promotion of fundamental freedoms. This year, SOCHUM will tackle two critical and intersecting humanitarian issues: the plight of urban refugees and the ongoing refugee crisis in East Africa. As global displacement continues to rise, more than half of the world’s refugees now reside in urban areas. Often invisible, unregistered, and vulnerable to poverty, exploitation, and discrimination, urban refugees face challenges that differ significantly from those in camps. Delegates will explore frameworks for documentation, access to public services, local integration, and long-term sustainability for displaced persons in city settings. Meanwhile, the crisis in East Africa, particularly in Ethiopia and Eritrea, remains one of the world’s most complex. Conflict, ethnic violence, food insecurity, and political instability continue to displace millions. Delegates will assess how the international community can support durable solutions—such as repatriation, local integration, and resettlement—while balancing sovereignty, security, and human rights. Delegates will be challenged to move beyond rhetorical commitments and construct real, rights-based solutions grounded in international law and humanitarian values.
Shameel Aubeelauck - Director
Shameel Aubeelauck is a senior at Harvard College concentrating in Social Studies with a secondary in Government. In addition to his time in Boston, Shameel has spent much of his time living around the globe, including Romania, Mauritius, Connecticut and most recently, Nebraska. Shameel first became involved with MUN as a first-year at the college through HMUN India. Since then, he has fallen in love with MUN, serving as a director for HMUN, HMUN India, and HNMUN-LA, as the former USG Operations for Harvard Intercollegiate MUN Conference HNMUN 2025 and former Secretary General of HMUN India.
Outside of Model UN, Shameel enjoys working out at the gym, hanging with friends, or grabbing a delicious cup of coffee (or whatever caffeinated drink is readily available!). Shameel is super stoked to welcome everyone to HMUN India 2025!