A New Partnership at Work UNHCR & The World Bank Group Xavier Devictor Adviser, Fragility, Conflict & Violence, The World Bank Group, Wednesday, October 4, 2017
The Scope of the Refugee Crisis 2
17 5 3 66 of today s refugees have spent more than 4 years in exile
Development Approach 4
A development lens Focus on the medium-term, socio-economic dimension of the crisis to help both the forcibly displaced and their host communities Focused on the development institutions comparative advantage Part of a broader agenda including security, diplomatic, and humanitarian components; distinct from, but complementary to, the humanitarian agenda Part of the broader development effort to reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity An approach that evolves over time: at the onset, during the crisis, towards solutions 5 / 25
Supporting the displaced and their hosts The displaced: help offset the specific vulnerabilities that distinguish them from other poor and migrants, both while in exile and through long-term solutions Loss of assets, trauma, lack of rights, lack of opportunities, short planning horizon The hosts: help them pursue their own development agenda in a transformed environment Inflow of people as a shock, outcome depends on initial conditions, size/nature of the shock, and response 6 / 25
Development partners approach Development actors can bring: Financial resources Analytical and advisory services Access to economic policymakers (who are not traditional counterparts for humanitarian agencies) Influence in public debates and policy formulation Not about projects but about programs Good policies and good institutions are key to success Use finance to influence policies and institutions The best results are likely to be achieved when humanitarian and development actors work together. 7
IDA18 Refugee Sub-Window 8
The International Development Association IDA is the WBG s arm for low-income countries. IDA s annual commitments have averaged about $19 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent going to Africa. IDA provides financing through grants or credits (zero interest, repayments over 25 to 40 years, including a 5- to 10-year grace period). A country-based model with set country allocations for a three-year period (based on quality of policies and institutions). Every three years, donors meet to replenish IDA resources and review its policy framework: Record replenishment last December ($75 billion) Scale up interventions to tackle conflict, fragility and violence, forced displacement, climate change, and gender inequality; and promote governance and institution building, as well as jobs and economic transformation. 9
The IDA18 refugee window Purpose: Provide resources on attractive terms (i.e. additional to country envelopes, 50 percent grants) to countries hosting refugees for medium- to long-term investments that will benefit both refugees and host communities. Rationale: Mismatch between IDA s country-based financing model and the fact that refugees do not live in their country. Focus: Mitigate shocks caused by an influx of refugees and create social and economic opportunities for refugees and host communities; Facilitate sustainable solutions to refugee situations, including through inclusion and/or return; and Strengthen preparedness for increased or potential new refugee flows. 10
Eligibility criteria WBG s Board to decide on eligibility, based on: The country is eligible for IDA financing The number of UNHCR-registered refugees is at least 25,000 or 0.1 percent of the population The country adheres to an adequate framework for the protection of refugees The country has an action plan, strategy, or similar document that describes concrete steps, including possible policy reforms, towards long-term solutions that benefit refugees and host communities 11
The process Board Consultation on eligibility The Board reviews each country s eligibility on the basis of a Board consultation package prior to the development of a full program The first Board consultation was held on Sep 29, 2017 for eight countries (Cameroon Chad, Congo Rep., Djibouti, Ethiopia, Niger, Pakistan, Uganda) Project approval After the consultation with the Board on a country s eligibility, projects will be prepared and implemented per standard procedures Analytical work and policy dialogue will proceed in parallel. 12
Operationalizing the Partnership 13
The World Bank-UNHCR partnership A possible cornerstone for a more effective set of international interventions While relatively new, it has already translated into concrete activities on the ground expected to mutually influence strategic approaches: High-level/strategic engagement: The WBG part of the UNHCR-led CRRF secretariat; joint contributions to key high-level events Operational level: exchange lessons of experience; technical assistance; evidence-building Country level: joint planning for a comprehensive response at country level (investments and policy dialogue) including for an effective use of the IDA18 window Joint data initiative: aims to develop an enhanced global data system on forced displacement
ILLUSTRATIVE Pakistan Strategy Note KEYISSUES AT STAKE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees; 0.6 million undocumented Afghans; and about 1 million IDPs Some refugees are returning; some are likely to stay in Pakistan for the foreseeable future; other Afghans are crossing into Pakistan (including for economic reasons). Managing those who stay and the new flows is key for the stability of border regions. Support the Government s effort to manage the situation of refugees and other Afghan nationals in Pakistan in a manner that is sustainable and that reduces the risks of large-scale marginalization, by (i) adopting and implementing a policy framework that responds to the different needs of refugees and economic migrants; (ii) improving education and skills development outcomes in hosting areas; and (iii) reinforcing social cohesion between refugees and their hosts. Policy dialogue on the effective implementation of the comprehensive visa regime and of key aspects of the draft refugee law. Possible investments in: (i) support to refugee-hosting areas (smallscale activities to benefit both refugees and hosts); (ii) institutional transformation; (ii) services delivery, including education and skills development (including a focus on girls). Analytics: (i) poverty and vulnerability assessment; (ii) documenting the lessons learned from Pakistan s experience. 15
ILLUSTRATIVE Ethiopia Strategy Note 800,000 refugees (of which 350,000 South Sudanese; 250,000 Somali refugees; 150,000 Eritrean; 50,000 Sudanese) and 450,000 IDPs KEYISSUES AT STAKE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) Ethiopia has traditionally maintained refugees in camps in border regions. The Government is considering a reform to eventually allow for their eventual socio-economic inclusion through a gradual expansion of the out of camp policy, provision of work permits, access to land, access to identification, and social services. To support the Government s policy shift from a focus on encampment to a sustainable management of refugee situations within a medium-term perspective; to build the human capital of the next generation of refugees (as an investment into sustainable peace in their countries of origin). Policy dialogue on effective implementation of the Government s pledges (out of camp, work permits, access to education); Possible investments in: (i) industrial parks and jobs creation; (ii) refugee-hosting areas; (iii) support to policy reforms; (iv) education and skills; Analytics: (i) poverty and vulnerability assessment for refugees and host communities; (ii) policy notes on transition from humanitarian aid to development. 16
ILLUSTRATIVE Chad Strategy Note 380,000 refugees (310,000 Sudanese refugees; 70,000 from Central African Republic; 8,000 Nigerian refugees) and 95,000 IDPs KEYISSUES AT STAKE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) Most refugees have been in Chad in limbos for an extensive period of time, but the Government is willing to consider their socioeconomic inclusion but lacks resources. The Lake Basin situation (Boko Haram) is adding an element of urgency. Considering its location, Chad is at risk of receiving refugees periodically. To help the Chadian government create the conditions for a more effective and sustainable management of refugee situations, that aims (i) to boost economic opportunities and social service delivery in host communities; and (ii) to increase self-reliance among refugees who are in lasting situations. Policy dialogue on identification for documentation, freedom of movement, secured access to land, and integration of basic service delivery; Possible investments in: (i) small- and medium-scale area-based investments (services, livelihoods) in the South and East of the country; (ii) emergency response in the Lake Chad region; Analytics: (i) poverty and vulnerability assessment for refugees and host communities; (ii) policy notes on transition from humanitarian aid to development. 17
ILLUSTRATIVE Niger Strategy Note 157,000 refugees (of which 60,000 Malian; 97,000 Nigerian); 16,000 Nigerien returnees, and 110,000 IDPs. KEYISSUES AT STAKE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) Niger faces a difficult challenge in the Diffa region (at the border with Nigeria) with large numbers of refugees and a fluid security situation: this is an additional factor of fragility in a difficult context. Niger is also hoisting Malian refugees in the desolate Western part of the country. To help the Government manage forced displacement situations in a way that is complementary to humanitarian interventions. Policy dialogue on a strategic plan to manage forced displacement over the medium-term; inclusion of Malian refugees in country systems; and dialogue on the preconditions for economic recovery in the Diffa region; Possible area-based investments (services, livelihoods) to help prepare for an eventual stabilization of the situation; Analytics: policy note (advocacy) on the refugee situation at the Malian border; analytical work on vulnerability and targeting. 18
ILLUSTRATIVE Cameroon Strategy Note 344,000 refugees Of which 260,000 from Central African Republic, 84,000 from Nigeria and 192,000 IDPs KEYISSUES AT STAKE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE Lack of clear policy and institutional arrangements to manage the medium-term, socio-economic dimension of the refugee crisis, which could be a factor of destabilization (esp. in the Far North). To help the Government develop an integrated approach to manage forced displacement situations as part of its development plans, with a particular focus on rural livelihoods, services, and social cohesion in hosting areas. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) Policy dialogue on developing an integrated approach to forced displacement across government and greater focus on lagging regions; Possible investments in social safety nets interventions; Analytics: poverty and vulnerability assessment for refugees and host communities; policy note on identification for access to services. 19
ILLUSTRATIVE Djibouti Strategy Note 26,000 refugees (of which 4,200 Yemeni; 13,200 Somali refugees; 7,700 Ethiopians; 1,100 Eritreans). KEYISSUES AT STAKE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE Considering the size of the population, large numbers of refugees could be very destabilizing. Djibouti recently promulgated a progressive and comprehensive new law on refugees which aims to allow for their eventual socio-economic inclusion but implementation has not started. To support the Government s implementation of the refugee law towards socio-economic inclusion with a focus of strengthening national system for service provision in education, health and social protection. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) Policy dialogue on effective implementation of the new refugee law; Possible investments in support to policy reforms Analytics: poverty and vulnerability assessment for refugees and host communities 20
Rep. of Congo Strategy Note ILLUSTRATIVE 55,000 refugees (of which 30,000 refugees from the Central African Republic; 15,000 from DRC; and 10,000 Rwandan) and 15,000 IDPs. KEYISSUES AT STAKE The legal framework governing the situation of refugees remains patchy. There is neither a clear policy, nor institutional arrangements to manage the medium-term, socio-economic dimension of the refugee crisis. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE Support the Government in taking the first steps towards fostering a degree of socio-economic inclusion for refugees. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) Policy dialogue on on the development of a strategic framework for the socio-economic inclusion of refugees; Possible investments in support on the development of a strategic framework for the socio-economic inclusion of refugees; to policy reforms Analytics: poverty and vulnerability assessment for refugees and host communities 21
ILLUSTRATIVE Uganda Note 1.3 million refugees (of which 895,000 from South Sudan; 400,000 from DRC, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda); and 30,000 IDPs. KEYISSUES AT STAKE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES (UNDER DISCUSSION) Uganda s refugee laws and policies are among the most progressive in the world providing for refugee self-reliance, but the current influx of South Sudanese refugees is placing the country under considerable stress. Help secure the sustainability of the Government of Uganda s progressive policies and practices, by boosting resilience to refugee shocks, enhancing self-reliance and socioeconomic development in hosing areas, and strengthening humanitarian - development coordination Policy dialogue on supporting the Government to ensure sustainability of its current regime Support for refugee hosting areas; education and portable skills for the next generation of refugees; additional financing for water, energy, agriculture, and fiscal decentralization; possible emergency support to bridge thehumanitarian gap. Just-in-time advice to local governments of refugee hosting areas in the North Poverty and vulnerability assessment of refugees and host communities 22
In progress / planned Burkina Faso Burundi DRC Kenya Mauritania Rwanda Tanzania *The list is not exhaustive. 23
Lessons to Date 24
What we have learned so far There is a significant window of opportunity for a change of approach The early focus is on facilitating a degree of socioeconomic inclusion The key is in policy reforms and institutional adjustments, legal instruments but also implementation Approaches need to be tailored to each situation (demographics, politics, prospects, etc.) There will be an amount of learning by doing (importance of documenting results) Planning needs to incorporate medium-term prospects (and likely mediumterm scenarios) from the time of inception The transition from humanitarian to development aid will need to be managed Cooperation can work, in spite of differences in focus, mandate, language, approaches, etc.
Common approaches Shifting from crisis response to risk management: Develop an effective approach to manage repeated inflows over the medium-term, including through policies and institutions. Supporting host communities and lagging regions: Need to address challenges that may exacerbate pre-existing conditions in host communities Moving towards a degree of socioeconomic inclusion: Inclusion is essential in allowing for dignity and self-reliance, preventing the emergence of poverty traps, and preparing for durable solutions. Supporting regional and country-level approaches: Need to reflect not only domestic constraints and political debates, but also developments in neighboring countries as well as regional initiatives 26
Common engagement areas Jobs and private sector Education Health and nutrition Area-based development Social protection Gender Poverty analysis 27
New engagement areas Refugee policies Needs to work in partnership to help countries enhance refugee policies Humanitarian-Development complementarity Need to help strengthen country systems to eventually transition from existing services (e.g. education, health) Non-traditional areas of involvement. Psychosocial issues, social cohesion 28
Thank You! 29