UNHCR, the Ivorian Government and the governments of asylum countries pledge to strengthen their efforts in the search of durable solutions for the Ivorian refugees.
UNHCR, the Ivorian Government and the governments of asylum countries pledge to strengthen their efforts in the search of durable solutions for the Ivorian refugees.
UNHCR, 15 Jun 2016
URL: http://kora.unhcr.org/unhcr-ivorian-government-governments-asylum-countries-pledge-strengthen-efforts-search-durable-solutions-ivorian-refugees/
Some 40,000 refugees still remain in exile in West Africa
ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, 15 July 2016 (UNHCR) - Following a regional meeting held in Abidjan from 12 to 14 July, UNHCR, the Ivorian authorities and host governments in West Africa have committed to strengthening their efforts to achieve durable solutions for some 40,000 Ivorian refugees remaining in the region as well as the sustainable reintegration of returnees in Côte d’Ivoire.
“We welcome the commendable efforts of the host governments in providing protection and assistance to Ivorian refugees”, said Millicent Mutuli, Deputy Director of UNHCR’s Africa Bureau in Geneva, who took part in the meeting. “The security and economic situation has improved significantly in Côte d’Ivoire — as reflected by the spontaneous and facilitated return of some 250,000 refugees since 2011—and this will need to continue to reassure the remaining Ivorian refugees who wish to return home. ”
In addition to government representatives of the main asylum countries and Côte d’Ivoire, participants at the meeting included representatives from UNHCR offices in Côte d’Ivoire and the asylum countries, UN agencies and UNHCR’s partners in Côte d’Ivoire.
The participants agreed on a comprehensive solutions strategy, recognizing the efforts of the Ivorian Government to seek the return of its nationals. They also encouraged the Government to take into account some of the concerns expressed by Ivorian refugees about return, including as regards their security, socio-economic situation, access to land, and restitution of property.
UNHCR will continue to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees, and to ensure those who choose to return have the opportunity to do so in safety and dignity. The UN refugee agency will also continue to support the Ivorian authorities in the implementation of reintegration activities aimed at ensuring durable return.
For refugees who choose to remain in the countries of asylum, UNHCR will support host governments and refugees in achieving their sustainable local integration, including legal and socioeconomic dimensions, for example through promotion of the issuance of residence permits or naturalization, the implementation of socio-economic activities, and support to access to land, employment and livelihood opportunities. Resettlement will continue to be used as a protection tool for specific cases, such as persons with special medical needs or survivors of severe trauma.
As of July 2016, 56,000 Ivorian refugees are registered in the asylum countries worldwide, including 40,000 in West Africa, primarily in Liberia (20,090), Ghana (11,000), Guinea (3,991), Togo (2,556) and Mali (1,041).
Media contacts:
In Abidjan (on mission), Simplice Kpandji, + 225 07 39 03 73 ; + 221 77 333 9883 (roaming) ; kpandji@unhcr.org
In Abidjan, Danielli Mbaitoloum, + 225 75 04 54 58; mbaitolo@unhcr.org
In Dakar (regional), Helene Caux, + 221 77 333 1291 ; caux@unhcr.org
In Geneva, Leo Dobbs, + 41 79 833 6347 ; dobbs@unhcr.org
ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, 15 July 2016 (UNHCR) - Following a regional meeting held in Abidjan from 12 to 14 July, UNHCR, the Ivorian authorities and host governments in West Africa have committed to strengthening their efforts to achieve durable solutions for some 40,000 Ivorian refugees remaining in the region as well as the sustainable reintegration of returnees in Côte d’Ivoire.
“We welcome the commendable efforts of the host governments in providing protection and assistance to Ivorian refugees”, said Millicent Mutuli, Deputy Director of UNHCR’s Africa Bureau in Geneva, who took part in the meeting. “The security and economic situation has improved significantly in Côte d’Ivoire — as reflected by the spontaneous and facilitated return of some 250,000 refugees since 2011—and this will need to continue to reassure the remaining Ivorian refugees who wish to return home. ”
In addition to government representatives of the main asylum countries and Côte d’Ivoire, participants at the meeting included representatives from UNHCR offices in Côte d’Ivoire and the asylum countries, UN agencies and UNHCR’s partners in Côte d’Ivoire.
The participants agreed on a comprehensive solutions strategy, recognizing the efforts of the Ivorian Government to seek the return of its nationals. They also encouraged the Government to take into account some of the concerns expressed by Ivorian refugees about return, including as regards their security, socio-economic situation, access to land, and restitution of property.
UNHCR will continue to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees, and to ensure those who choose to return have the opportunity to do so in safety and dignity. The UN refugee agency will also continue to support the Ivorian authorities in the implementation of reintegration activities aimed at ensuring durable return.
For refugees who choose to remain in the countries of asylum, UNHCR will support host governments and refugees in achieving their sustainable local integration, including legal and socioeconomic dimensions, for example through promotion of the issuance of residence permits or naturalization, the implementation of socio-economic activities, and support to access to land, employment and livelihood opportunities. Resettlement will continue to be used as a protection tool for specific cases, such as persons with special medical needs or survivors of severe trauma.
As of July 2016, 56,000 Ivorian refugees are registered in the asylum countries worldwide, including 40,000 in West Africa, primarily in Liberia (20,090), Ghana (11,000), Guinea (3,991), Togo (2,556) and Mali (1,041).
Media contacts:
In Abidjan (on mission), Simplice Kpandji, + 225 07 39 03 73 ; + 221 77 333 9883 (roaming) ; kpandji@unhcr.org
In Abidjan, Danielli Mbaitoloum, + 225 75 04 54 58; mbaitolo@unhcr.org
In Dakar (regional), Helene Caux, + 221 77 333 1291 ; caux@unhcr.org
In Geneva, Leo Dobbs, + 41 79 833 6347 ; dobbs@unhcr.org