UNHCRs role in support of the return and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons

Conflict trends

Displacement trends

Repatriation trends

The scale of return Globally, some 15 million refugees, and countless numbers of IDPs, have been able to return since the early 1990s

UNHCRs current objective Revisit reintegration policy in light of: new opportunities for funding and partnerships lessons learned (positive and negative) from past experience proposed new budget structure

New opportunities Humanitarian reform and Cluster Approach Delivering as One Integrated UN missions Peacebuilding Commission Regional actors: e.g. AU Policy Framework New funding modalities: transition budget lines, pooled funding, World Bank/IDA

Lessons learned UNHCR has played a major role in return and reintegration programmes since the late 1980s. Some examples: Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua Southern Africa: Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa West Africa: Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone East Africa: Ethiopia, Somaliland, Sudan Asia: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Laos

Lessons learned Efforts at mainstreaming with development agencies: Brookings Process, Framework for Durable Solutions (4Rs, DAR, DLI) High-level commitment not matched by commitment on the ground Different planning cycles Different organizational cultures Limited or overly stringent funding UNHCR accused of venturing too far into development activities or not doing enough Hand-over concept

New budget structure: immediate and mid-term activities Immediate (core): Facilitating and effecting return, including protection Infrastructural rehabilitation to allow for repatriation: clearing/repair feeder roads, construction of small bridges, way stations, transit centres, providing seeds for first planting season, addressing land ownership issues, returnee monitoring, documentation Mid-Term (in partnership and in parallel): Providing basic needs and livelihoods Fostering sustainable reintegration: water and sanitation, heath care facilities, education facilities, income-generation, skills training

Thank you Comments and questions welcome