UN, partners to discuss ways to enhance resettlement of 800,000 refugees

New York, US (PANA) - The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners will meet next week in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss how to help the more than 800,000 refugees who are seeking resettlement.

Known as the 18th Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement, the meeting, which will be attended by representatives of resettlement countries, non-governmental organizations and other participants, would look at ways to improve how resettlement works in various countries.

In a statement signed by UNHCR spokesperson, Adrian Edwards, on Friday, it said that
resettlement was one of the three main solutions for refugees.

Edwards stated that, ``it is an integral part of comprehensive solutions strategies in many
UNHCR operations''.

He also said that the other solutions for refugees were voluntary repatriation and integration
into the country of first asylum.

"Currently, there are only 81,000 resettlement places offered each year among 26 States, which means that just one out of ten people needing resettlement will have the opportunity to do so,'' the statement said.

It disclosed that during the three-day meeting, which will start on Monday, UNHCR and its
partners would also discuss how to strengthen cultural orientation programmes, enhance
support for post arrival services, and reinforce pre-departure preparations.

Chaired by Australia, the meeting will also allow for resettled refugees to share their
experiences relating to their integration process and how they have contributed to welcoming new arrivals.

Over the past five years, UNHCR and its partners have been able to use resettlement to help 330,000 refugees resume their lives.

Last year, UNHCR submitted 92,000 refugees to countries for resettlement, and 61,649 refugees departed, with the agency’s help, to 22 countries.

UNCHR estimates that Somalis, Iraqis, Afghans and Congolese are expected to be the major refugee populations over the coming years with higher resettlement needs.
-0- PANA AA/VAO 6July2012