Young Syrian boys playing with old tires just before sunset in Azraq camp, Jordan. UNHCR/Christopher Herwig 166 UNHCR Global Report 2015 SAFEGUARDINGSUPPORTING FUNDAMENTALUNHCR’S WORK HUMAN RIGHTS TheEvery provision time a new of asylum forced isdisplacement a consistent crisisfeature erupts, of human UNHCR history. Throughoutmust call on thethe ages,support societies of thousands with different of other culturesactors to and help value systemsit respond have to the recognized many needs their of obligation those in distress. to provide sanctuary and help for people in distress fleeing conflict or persecution. In addition, the organization has ongoing programmes for Thistens longstandingof millions of alreadysocial norm uprooted was progressively people, whose incorporated safety intoand internationalwell-being remain law in of the concern 20th century, to UNHCR. and States continue to reaffirm their commitment to refugee protection. Close to This130 countries chapter focuses have national on presenting asylum lawssome in of place, the many implementing waysrelevant in which international the Office conventions coordinates for theits protection work with differentof refugees. partners.More than Also 40 countrieshighlighted have are a the national welcome instrument sources related of to supportinternal displacement;and advocacy infrom 2015, inspirational UNHCR provided and engaged protection and collaboratorsassistance to 37across million the internally globe that displaced enabled peoplethe organization (IDPs) in to28 countries carry out its - thework highest in 2015. number in the organization's history. However, there remain a number of recurring gaps, such as: violations of the principle of non-refoulement; a lack of admission and access to asylum procedures; a lack of registration and documentation; shortcomings in refugee status determination procedures; and detention practices that violate international standards. Similarly, while several States and regional bodies have demonstrated their commitment to eradicating statelessness by 2024, efforts need to be expanded to address the major situations of statelessness around the world. A growing degree of ’asylum fatigue’ has been witnessed over the past year. Addressing this and other contemporary protection challenges remains a high priority for UNHCR. In 2015, UNHCR continued to safeguard the fundamental right of people whose lives and liberty are at risk to seek safety and security in another State, and support States to establish and strengthen institutional refugee and asylum frameworks. In this chapter: • SupervisingHosting the world’sthe application refugees of the 1951 Convention • AssuringEngaging safety with partners from violence and exploitation • StrengtheningMobilizing the privaterefugee sector status determination • EndingCelebrity unlawful support detention of persons of concern • Eradicating statelessness • Addressing internal displacement UNHCR Global Report 2015 167 SUPPORTING UNHCR’S WORK HOSTING THE WORLD’S The significant numbers of Syrian REFUGEES refugee arrivals have raised important questions about the needs of local The arrival of refugees always has an communities as well. If these are not impact on host communities. Depending immediately comparable to the losses on the size of the refugee population and trauma experienced by refugees, relative to the host community, and the the requirements at local level to oset prevailing socio-economic circumstances the consequences of a rapid rise in prior to their arrival, the consequent population can also be considerable. eects can be both positive and negative. These are often hard to document, The generosity of host countries and especially as the scale and scope of communities has certainly been at a high most refugee situations are not easily cost. The spillover eects of the conflict predictable. have had a visible impact at the macro- economic level since business, trade But in all instances of refugee arrivals, and investment have all been aected. an important objective of governments, Indeed, like other conflict situations, UNHCR and its partners is to ensure the war has been the principal cause of timely and eective protection by economic and social distress not only supporting social cohesion between inside the country but across the region. refugees and their local community. The Governments concerned have The huge demographic shock primarily borne the higher costs of the experienced in Lebanon, Jordan and increased consumption of public services Turkey of absorbing millions of Syrian and utilities by the refugees. Local refugees has highlighted the importance communities have been obliged to share of interventions to mitigate the impact on resources and services with refugees. political, economic and social stability. Chart 1 - Major refugee-hosting Chart 2 - Number of refugees per countries, 2015 (in millions) 1,000 inhabitants, 2015 Source: National population: United Nations, Population Division, "World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision", New York, 2016. For the purpose of this analysis, the estimates of 2015 have been taken into account. * Refugee figure for Syrians in Turkey is a Government estimate. * Includes Iraqi refugees registered with UNHCR in Jordan. ** Includes Iraqi refugees registered with UNHCR in Jordan. The Government The Government estimates the number of Iraqis at 400,000 estimates the number of Iraqis at 400,000 individuals at the end of March 2015. individuals at the end of March 2015. This includes This includes refugees and other categories of Iraqis. refugees and other categories of Iraqis. ** Refugee figure for Syrians in Turkey is a Government estimate 168 UNHCR Global Report 2015 SUPPORTING UNHCR’S WORK Chart 3 - Number of refugees per 1 USD development often lags behind national GDP per capita, 2015 indicators. They represent an increase in the number of consumers that can spur local productivity, trade and business. And they attract government engagement, aid and private sector investment. The impacts are rarely uniform and can vary considerably over time too. The immediate eects of refugee arrivals do cause imbalances at local level. Depending on the level and speed of public and private sector responses, and on the socio-economic context, these Sources: Gross Domestic Product (PPP): International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, April initial problems generally stabilize and a 2016 (accessed 6 May 2016) National population: United Nations, Population Division, new but dierent equilibrium follows. “World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision", New York, 2016. For the purpose of this analysis, the estimates have been used. In addressing these circumstances, two main considerations for the provision Many other countries receiving refugees of assistance predominate. First, the have experienced similar eects in the evident need to ensure ecient and past. However, most refugee situations eective support both to refugees and account for less than 3 per cent of local populations aected by a refugee national populations. These smaller crisis. The needs may not necessarily be refugee populations can nevertheless the same and do require assessments to represent a considerable challenge for find the appropriate form of support. But local authorities and communities. a balanced response is certainly needed to ensure social cohesion. Beyond providing essential life preserving support – security, food, Second, most refugee situations do water, and shelter – during the initial take many years to resolve. So beyond stages of an emergency, issues of social the initial emergency response, longer service delivery (health, education) soon term, more structural support is required arise. As refugees start to consume local to ensure that overall socio-economic natural resources, purchase goods in conditions do not deteriorate for refugees local markets, and look for livelihood and local communities alike. opportunities, other eects also become more identifiable. Governments, donors and aid agencies increasingly recognize that These can include a rise in tension protracted displacement demands between local communities and more than short-term assistance. refugees as often goods can become Finding the optimal mix of emergency scarcer, prices rise, and resources and developmental engagement, and diminish. Refugees can also compete devising implementation arrangements for jobs and opportunities in local labour that strengthen and support national markets. However, their arrival often responses, will likely be a feature of aid brings opportunities too, particularly in delivery to refugee situations in future. remote regions where socio-economic UNHCR Global Report 2015 169 SUPPORTING UNHCR’S WORK UNHCR/Brian Sokol ENGAGING WITH PARTNERS Refugee response Wherever applicable, the Oce also coordination continued to follow the Joint UNHCR- OCHA Note on Mixed Situations, which UNHCR is committed to coordinating, provided a framework for leadership and planning and delivering refugee coordination in settings where there were responses that are eective, collaborative both refugee operations and complex and based on principles of partnership. humanitarian emergencies. This could In 2015, the Oce continued to apply the include the development of technical Refugee Coordination Model (RCM, see guidance and capacity building, as well Glossary), which drew on more than 60 as the provision of field support. years of experience, and was designed to provide transparent and inclusive