1.3. Scaling up sustainable, long-term protection solutions
The ultimate goal of an effective international protection system is the provision of durable solutions to those in need.
Local integration involves efforts to boost the self-reliance of recognised refugees and facilitate personal and social development, including access to education; increasing skills, employability and entrepreneurship; being aware of rights and services that are available to refugees; and fostering meaningful interactions between refugees and local communities, so that refugees become an organic part of the social fabric in the country where they live. For displaced persons who cannot return to their country of origin, resettlement or other alternative pathways to protection, such as humanitarian visas, community sponsorship, study programmes or channels used for labour migration, may provide a viable way ahead. Alternative pathways to protection are not only an expression of solidarity with countries that host large numbers of refugees, but they also provide legal and safe ways for displaced persons to live safely when otherwise they could resort to perilous onward movements.
Durable solutions are clearly complex processes that require time and cooperation across multiple stakeholders; their complexity makes them difficult to operationalise and attain. UNHCR reported that since 2016 the number of refugees accessing durable solutions has gradually declined.
As a result of measures put in place by countries to address the challenges (see In focus 2), resettlement processes started to climb compared to a near standstill in 2020. As a result, the number of persons resettled increased from 22,800 in 2020 to approximately 40,000 in 2021.
As witnessed in 2021, areas which continue to need sustainable solutions for people in need of protection include:
- More efforts are needed to address underlying causes and conditions of displacement, including through development initiatives, to create an environment that facilitate the voluntary repatriation of refugees.
- Additional support is needed for local integration by fostering self-reliance in refugees and assisting host communities.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (October 2021). Conclusion of the executive committee on international protection and durable solutions in the context of a public health emergency. https://www.refworld.org/docid/617a510e6.html The majority of refugees live in protracted displacement which means that local integration is the most accessible durable solution. Other measures to foster sustainable living and decrease dependence on humanitarian aid include working with local authorities to include refugees in public services rather than sustaining a parallel humanitarian system; supporting localised responses that cater to the needs not only of the refugees but also of the host communities; and empowering refugees to sustain themselves and contribute to the social and economic development of their new societies.German Development Institute. (2021). Local governments and the sustainable integration of refugees in Ethiopia. Discussion Paper 21/2021. https://www.die-gdi.de/uploads/media/DP_21.2021.pdf - Governments need to scale up resettlement efforts to provide safe routes to protection to as many people in need as possible.
Friedrich Ebert Foundation | Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. (December 2021). Towards a global resettlement alliance. http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/18647-20211215.pdf Closer operational coordination across resettlement states would increase efficiency at all stages of the process.United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, & Migration Policy Institute. (September 2021). Refugee resettlement and complementary pathways: Opportunities for growth. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/mpie-u… Access to complementary pathways could be increased through scaling up community sponsorship, family reunification, and labour market and study opportunities.United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, & Migration Policy Institute. (September 2021). Refugee resettlement and complementary pathways: Opportunities for growth. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/mpie-u… This could be attained by diversifying the actors involved in the provision of safe and legal pathways to protection to include local authorities and communities, employers, educational institutions, civil associations and faith-based groups.United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, & Migration Policy Institute. (September 2021). Refugee resettlement and complementary pathways: Opportunities for growth. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/mpie-u… ,Friedrich Ebert Foundation | Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. (December 2021). Towards a global resettlement alliance. http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/18647-20211215.pdf Multiplying the involvement of more stakeholders can also catalyse better integration into resettlement countries. In addition, including previously-resettled refugees in the design and implementation of resettlement activities may be beneficial, both in ensuring that the processes cater effectively to the needs of the people they target and in increasing integration prospects.Migration Policy Institute. (2021, October 22). The resettlement gap: A record number of global refugees, but few are resettled. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/refugee-resettlement-gap