ConcretesolutionstodisasterdisplacementdiscussedatUNHCRExcomsideevent

On 4 October 2017, UNHCR, the Government of Germany and the Platform on DisasterDisplacementco-hostedaverywellattendedhighlevelsideeventtoUNHCRExcomon“Addressingdisaster displacement and climate change: Opportunities in partnership” that discussed concretesolutionsandpartnershipopportunitiestoaddressdisasterdisplacement.

UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Türk, moderated the event. In hisopening remarks, he underscored that disaster displacement is a largehumanitarian challenge and the world needs to be prepared for it. Hereminded that UNHCR’s Strategic Directions (2017-2021) includecommitments to advancing legal, policy and practical solutions for theprotection of people displaced by the effects of climate change anddisasters and to contribute to an inter-agency response to disastersemergencies. He mentioned strategic recommendations from a reportdraftedbyprofessorsMcAdamandGoodwin-Gill toenhanceUNHCRroleonprotectionindisastercontextsandinvitedparticipantstocontributetothematic discussion on the Global Compact on Refugees and its

ComprehensiveRefugeeResponseFramework(CRRF)toensurethisissueisadequatelyaddressed.

AmbassadorAntjeLeendertse,PermanentRepresentativeofGermanypresentedthePlatformonDisaster Displacement, chaired by the Government of Germany, as anopportunity to address the disaster displacement protection gap inpartnership, by implementing theNansen Initiative Protection Agenda. Sheunderscored the role of UNHCR in this regard and highlighted the twoimportant global processes of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly andRegular Migration (GCM) and global compact on refugee (GCR), whichprovide important opportunity to advance protection for cross borderdisasterdisplacedpersonsandshouldbothreflecttheissueofdisplacementincontextsofdisastersandclimatechange.

AmbassadorElayneWhyteGómez,PermanentRepresentativeofCostaRicatotheUnitedNationsOfficeinGenevaexplainedthatCostaRicahasbeenengagedinseveralpilotprojectsonregionalcooperationindisasterpreparednessandmanagement.In August 2017 Costa Rica and Panama jointly organized a simulationexercise involving the respective national authorities, with UNHCRparticipation. The exercise allowed to identify gaps and improve futurecoordination.Shefurthernotedthatconstantcapacitybuildingisnecessaryplus the strengthening of dialogue between the emergency authorities ofcountries.SheencouragedthatexerciseshouldbereplicatedelsewhereasitprovedtobeagoodexampleofhowStatescouldharmonizetheirefforts.

AmbassadorNazhatShameemKhan,PermanentRepresentativeofFijitotheUnitedNationsOfficein Geneva reminded that Fiji currently assumes the UNFCCC COP 23presidencyand,asacountryseriouslyaffectedbydisasterdisplacement, iscommittedtoensureCOP23willreflectthesensofurgency.ShementionedthattheWarsawInternationalMechanismforlossanddamageandtheTaskForceofdisplacementandtheNairobiWorkProgram,inwhichUNHCRplaysimportant roles, are of great importance. She explains her country has toface reality of relocation. Fiji is developing sets of guidance for planned

relocation,usingusefulguidelinesdevelopedbyUNHCRandpartnersaswellasoperationaltoolbox.She sharedFiji’s experience thatwhenvillageshad tobemoved tohigher groundat firstnobodywanted to leave. Therefore inclusiveness and participation are inherent to the relocation processand are an occasion for implementing a transformative agendawhere thosewho are usually notconsulted(womenandchildren)becomekeystakeholders.

ProfessorWalterKälin,EnvoyoftheChairofthePlatformonDisasterDisplacementexplainedthatthewayaheadistoincludedisasterdisplacementinthetheGlobalcompactfor Migration (GCM) and in the Global compact for Refugees (GCR). HeelaboratedthatthisdoesnotmeannewobligationsforStatesbut isaboutstrengthening existing and collaborativework regionally and to harmonizenational efforts. He further explained that Comprehensive RefugeeResponseFrameworkoffersadviceandperspectivesforaddressingdroughtand famine related displacement, such as in Somalia in 2011-2012 and in2017aswellas return.Both refugeesand IDPsneeddurablesolutions that

should be integrated in national development plans. He encouraged that these issues aswell asmixed flows, including when climate change plays an exacerbating role, should be explored inNovemberattheGCRthematicconsultations.

DinaIonescofromIOM,fromthefloor,highlightedstrongpartnershipwithUNHCRbothinmovingforward this issue of human mobility in the UNFCCC process and in the Platform on DisasterDisplacement.

VolkerTürkinhisconcludingremarksnotedthat«itisabsolutelyclearthatwehavemadealotofprogress»andthataddressingthisissuewillonlybepossibleifwekeepworkingtogether,withmemberstatesandinstrongpartnershipswithotherUNorganisations.