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The UNHCR Mandate

The UNHCR Mandate. Quick facts UNHCR. Some 6,500 staff are working in 116 countries assisting 20,800,000 “ persons of concern” 2006 budget of USD 1,47 billion 2007 appeal of USD 1,06 billion Almost entirely by voluntary contributions from governments.

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The UNHCR Mandate

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  1. The UNHCR Mandate

  2. Quick facts UNHCR Some 6,500 staff are working in 116 countries assisting 20,800,000 “persons of concern” 2006 budget of USD 1,47 billion 2007 appeal of USD 1,06 billion Almost entirely by voluntary contributions from governments. Less than 2% received from UN regular budget for admin. costs

  3. Quick facts Persons of Concern Refugees 8,400,000 40% (lowest number in 25 years) Internally Displaced 6,600,000 32% (global total of 23,7M IDPs) Returnees 1,600,000 7% Asylum seekers 773,500 4% Stateless persons 2,400,000 11%

  4. UNHCR Mandate PROVIDING INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION TO REFUGEES SEEKING PERMANENT SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF REFUGEES

  5. Supervisory Role • obligation to respect UNHCR’s supervisory power • legal basis for accepting UNHCR’s role • obligation to actively cooperate in order to achieve an optimal implementation and harmonized application of the Convention • support authoritative character of certain UNHCR statements

  6. Principle of non- refoulement prohibits the return of refugees in any manner whatsoever to countries or territories where their lives or freedom may be threatened because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion non-refoulement is binding on all States as part of customary international law Exception: if a refugee constitutes a threat to national security or, having been convicted of a particularly serious crime, is a danger to the community

  7. Rights of refugees Right to seek and enjoy asylum Freedom from torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Freedom of movement Recognition as a person before the law Right to documentation Obligations of refugees Refugees have an obligation to abide by the laws of the country where they are living Standards of treatment of refugees

  8. Durable Solutions • Refugee empowerment and self-reliance Enhance their well-being Contribute to the economy Disincentive to irregular movement Better prepared for durable solutions • Voluntary Repatriation • Local Integration • Resettlement

  9. Registration • Access to assistance and essential services (including tracing, family reunion, freedom of movement etc) • Basis for documentation • Identification of individuals with specific protection needs (prevention of recruitment) • Reduction of multiple registration • Facilitating planning and programming, including fund raising and search of durable solutions

  10. Sexual and Gender Based Violence • Grossly underreported • Preventative measures • Needs of survivors • Medical • Physical • Psycho-social • Legal

  11. Participatory Assessment Women • Dialoging: listening, information-gathering, and interactive analysis. • Identification, Analysis, and Systematization of protection risks. • Process for participation in programme cycle for protection Boys Girls Men Of various ages and diverse backgrounds

  12. Mass Influx • Considerable number of people arriving over an international border • Rapid rate of arrival, usually prompted by a specific event • Inadequate absorption or response capacity in host States, particularly during the emergency phase • Individual asylum procedures, where they exist, unable to deal with the assessment of such large numbers

  13. Prima Facie Recognition • Each individual member of a group is presumed to qualify for refugee status, based on an objective assessment of the situation in the country of origin • The presumption can only be rebutted if information comes to light which casts doubt on the individual’s eligibility for refugee status • Definitive rather than provisional status

  14. Internally Displaced Persons • Article 9 UNHCR Statute additional activities as GA may determine, within the limits of the resources placed at its disposal consent of Government; request from SG; no harm to asylum; respect for mandates other agencies.

  15. Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Reform Objectives Adequate capacity and predictable response Accountable leadership Improved coordination, gap filling Adequate, timely and flexible financing Effective partnerships between UN and non-UN actors

  16. Internally Displaced Persons AGREEMENT WITHIN IASC on CLUSTER LEADERSHIP first point of call & provider of last resort UNHCR @ protection @ emergency shelter @ camp coordination/camp management UNICEF: Nutrition, Water and Sanitation WHO: Health UNDP: Early Recovery WFP: Logistics OCHA/UNICEF/WFP: Emergency Telecommunications

  17. UNHCR Vision • become a central multilateral agency for forced displacement • global strategic objectives 2007-2009 • structural and management change

  18. www.unhcr.org

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