2021-06-16-UNDP-UNDP_UNHCR_Partnership_on_Forced_Displacement_22页_3mb

Summary of the UNDP and UNHCR Partnership on Forced Displacement

Core Content

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) have a long-standing partnership aimed at addressing the challenges of forced displacement through a combination of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding approaches. This collaboration is essential in supporting displaced people, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and stateless individuals, as well as their host communities.

Forced displacement has reached record levels, with over 80 million people displaced globally. The average displacement period has extended to 17 years, and most refugees reside in developing countries. The causes of displacement are multifaceted, including conflict, persecution, climate change, and environmental degradation, which are expected to displace 25 million to one billion people by 2050.

Main Points

• Collaborative Approach: UNDP and UNHCR work together to integrate humanitarian and development efforts, focusing on prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and long-term development.
• Global Joint-Action Plan (2017): Launched to support governments in including refugees in their planning and programming, especially in areas like governance, rule of law, livelihoods, and peacebuilding.
• Global Compact on Refugees (2018): Governments agreed to greater international cooperation to ensure that host communities and refugees receive necessary support and can lead productive lives.
• Global Joint Initiative for Inclusion and Solutions (2021): Aims to strengthen joint programming, focusing on preparedness, protection, assistance, recovery, and long-term stabilization and development.

Key Initiatives and Regional Platforms

• Regional Refugee Response Plans (RRRPs): These plans, led by UNHCR and UNDP, combine humanitarian and development responses to support host countries and refugees. They focus on resilience, stabilization, and development.
• Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR): A regional platform supporting voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran.
• IGAD Support Platform for Somali Refugees: Aims to support education, livelihoods, and health for refugees and host communities in the Horn of Africa.
• Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework for the Americas (MIRPS): Supports responsibility sharing in Central America and Mexico, focusing on local governance, rule of law, and socio-economic integration.

Key Countries and Projects

Syria

• The largest regional response to forced displacement is in Syria, with millions of refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.
• The Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) has led to significant achievements, including food assistance, education, healthcare, and job creation.
• Innovations such as Iris Biometrics have improved access to services for refugees.

Turkey

• Hosts the largest number of refugees globally, including 3.6 million Syrians.
• Projects focus on job creation, enterprise development, and improving access to services for both refugees and host communities.

Lebanon

• Hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees, leading to tensions over resources and social cohesion.
• Initiatives include the Violence Free Schools Initiative and the Community Security and Access to Justice Project.

Afghanistan

• Seven million Afghans have returned home since 2002, but challenges like insecurity and lack of job opportunities persist.
• The SALAM project supports livelihoods and reintegration through employment training and job placement.

Myanmar

• Over 700,000 Rohingya refugees fled to Bangladesh following violence in Rakhine State.
• UNDP and UNHCR support recovery and resilience-based development, including infrastructure and livelihood activities.

Cameroon

• Hosts 116,000 Nigerian refugees and over 321,000 IDPs due to Boko Haram insurgency.
• Projects focus on social cohesion, youth employment, and community mediation.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

• Hosts half a million refugees from Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
• UNDP and UNHCR support local governance, security, and community protection.

Colombia

• Has almost 8 million IDPs and 1.7 million Brazilians displaced.
• Projects focus on economic recovery, peacebuilding, and inclusive development through partnerships with local institutions, the private sector, and civil society.

Future Plans

• Increased Investment: Needed to prevent and manage displacement crises, especially as climate change threatens to increase the number of displaced people.
• Sustainable Solutions: Emphasis on long-term development, including job creation, access to services, and social cohesion.
• Innovation and Technology: Use of digital tools and real-time data to identify and scale solutions.
• Policy Integration: Ensuring that national and regional development plans include refugees and IDPs to promote inclusion and resilience.

Key Challenges

• Resource Competition: Displacement often leads to increased competition for services and jobs, affecting social cohesion.
• Human Rights Violations: Lack of access to justice and security services exacerbates tensions.
• Climate Change: Projected to displace millions by 2050, increasing the need for proactive planning and response.

Conclusion

The partnership between UNDP and UNHCR is critical in addressing the complex and evolving nature of forced displacement. By combining humanitarian and development approaches, they aim to support sustainable solutions, protect the rights of displaced populations, and ensure that no one is left behind. This collaboration is essential for building resilience and fostering peace in regions affected by displacement.