UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu Movement hosts Pan-African Comedy Show

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s LuQuLuQu movement will be airing an online comedy show on 13 December at 5:00 pm (GMT). The show, entitled Africa is a Continent, African is a Country – Comedy with a Purpose has some of the biggest names in African comedy, including Basketmouth, Daliso Chaponda, and Eddie Kadi in the line-up. The event will be hosted by comedians Goliath & Goliath and Dr. King’ori, LuQuLuQu High Level Influencers.

The show brings together comedic and musical talent from across Africa and diaspora in support of people forced to flee their homes because of conflict, violence and persecution. "Laughter is an equalizer. LuQuLuQu seeks to unmask the resilience and hope of refugees – uplifting the narrative – and comedy lifts us up and gives joy. Such a great fit!" said Basketmouth, Nigerian comedian featured in the show. 

“2020 has been a difficult year for so many reasons. It has been challenging for many of us – particularly for vulnerable communities including our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters. Being able to join a line-up of great African acts to offer a moment of comedic relief is an honour, it’s exciting and humbling. We are celebrating our compassion and kindness as Africans – on the continent and diaspora,” said Eddie Kadi, a Congolese-British comedian performing in the show as well.

AK Dans, a 23-year old South Sudanese refugee born and raised in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, who has been performing stand-up comedy for four years is also a part of the comedy line-up. “Being a part of this show has been an incredible experience. I am so proud of what we have put together – using comedy for a purpose. For people who have been forced to flee their homes, including my family, laughter breaks barriers,” said AK Dans.  “Having such top talent come together to put on this show free for all to watch is the perfect way to end the year,” he said. 

Alongside the comedians performing will be musical performances by 2Baba, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and Lira, as well as special appearances by celebrity supporters including Kat Graham, Hend Sabry and Nomzamo Mbatha, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. 

The show aims to raise funds to support UNHCR’s COVID-19 response for people forced to flee. Thus far, businesses from across Africa have committed resources to the event. They include Moran Publishers, Old Mutual Ltd, Safaricom, Comedy Central and Accra Mall.

"Africa’s reception of the LuQuLuQu movement and of its resonance has been mind-blowing. It has been embraced as a lifestyle by people from all walks of life. Businesses have put up their hands in support and an “ubuntu” circle of well-being has been formed with the forcibly displaced having a prominent place in the discussion,” said Needa-Jehu Mazou, Head of UNHCR’s Private Sector Partnerships Africa. “This event underscores the commitment of Africans everywhere, to join the call to elevate the lives of African refugees. The forcibly displaced are our family – it is our responsibility to find solutions to their plight. We must!”

The show is free for all to watch by registering here: https://luquluqu.org/comedy/  

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For media inquiries and interviews with talent please contact: 

Amina Rai: raia@unhcr.org, +254 792 339 766

About UNHCR: 

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNHCR safeguards the rights and well-being of people forced to flee their homes because of violence, conflict, or persecution. Currently over 80 million people are forcibly displaced. In more than six decades, the agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. It also has a mandate to help people who have become forcibly displaced inside their own countries, and stateless people. UNHCR is on the front lines of the world’s major humanitarian crisis, including South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Bangladesh, and countless other emergencies. For more information visit https://www.unhcr.org/

About UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu Movement: 

Africa hosts the highest number of people forcibly displaced – 33.4 million. In November 2017, UNHCR launched a movement built on the African philosophy of sharing resources and caring for one another to respond to the unprecedented levels of forced displacement in the region. Named LuQuLuQu, the movement is made up of the best of humanity – a collective of like-minded people that support families forced to flee their homes because of violence, conflict or persecution. The LuQuLuQu motto is #DoItLuQuLuQu. To do it LuQuLuQu means to collectively work together to achieve solutions to the refugee crisis. In doing so, the movement strives to change the narrative of the African refugee by highlighting the resilience, courage and hope of people forced to flee. For more information visit https://luquluqu.org/