Sixty years ago today, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) was created to help and protect the world’s forcibly displaced. What was first envisioned as a three-year project has now evolved into a worldwide program that operates in 118 countries and provides assistance to over 34 million people including refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people.
However, a common misconception remains that most refugees live in make-shift or long-term camp settlements. This was true in the past; however, as the world urbanizes, refugees too are increasingly moving into towns and cities. Today, almost half of the world’s 10.5 million refugees live in urban areas, with only one-third in camps (UNHCR 2009). In Sana’a alone, over 35,000 refugees are currently making a living with a further 18,000 living in Basateen.
Recognizing this phenomenon, UNHCR together with its government and civil society partners organized a conference on 11-12 December in order to enhance and build upon UNHCR’s Urban Policy on Refugees. The objective is to recognize refugees’ legitimate right to live in cities; improve and increase protection services for refugees; and mainstream their access to already existing institutions, services and programs in areas of education, health and employment. This holistic approach is intended to reduce parallel structures that only target refugees and will instead focus on strengthening institutions that will ultimately benefit the entire country; Yemeni’s and refugees together.
As Claire Bourgeois, UNHCR representative added “Refugees have a legitimate right to live in a city. However, the goal is to have an urban policy that offers no preferential treatment to anyone – but will benefit everyone.”
The conference also highlighted a number of best practices that UNHCR and the Government of Yemen – together with its partners – have implemented over the years. “We recognize and acknowledge the Government of Yemen’s continued support and dedication in protecting refugees in the country. However, improving and increasing the protection of refugees in an urban setting will only be achieved with the active participation, commitment, and shared responsibility of all stakeholders.” Claire Bourgeois said.
In order to commemorate the 60 years of service, UNHCR is planning a series of key events and activities throughout 2011 in a bid to highlight the plight of refugees in Yemen.