Information Note on UNHCR's Resettlement Handbook

EC/47/SC/CRP.47

INFORMATION NOTE ON UNHCR'S RESETTLEMENT HANDBOOK

1. UNHCR promotes resettlement in order to provide protection by guaranteeing the physical safety of refugees whose life, liberty, safety, health or other fundamental human rights are at risk. In the broad context of UNHCR's principal mandate to provide international protection and seek durable solutions for refugees, resettlement policy also aims to provide a durable solution for refugees unable to return home or to remain in their country of refuge. Resettlement may also be necessary to address exceptional humanitarian needs which cannot be met in the country of asylum. As part of a more comprehensive approach, resettlement contributes to international solidarity and to strengthening the goodwill of first asylum countries.

2. The provision by States of resettlement opportunities represents a generous contribution to refugee protection. Ten countries have established annual resettlement programmes and other countries offer resettlement places on an ad hoc basis. Successive conclusions by the Executive Committee of UNHCR have affirmed the continuing importance of resettlement as an instrument of protection and a durable solution in specific circumstances, and have called upon countries in a position to assist to establish resettlement programmes.

3. To ensure that resettlement operations are efficient and timely, UNHCR is taking a critical look at how it considers and implements resettlement. In January this year, the Senior Management Committee of UNHCR endorsed the following steps for improving the management of resettlement operations:

• Joint reviews of resettlement needs conducted by the Resettlement Section and Operations;

• The designation in a situation, where needed, of an officer responsible for resettlement;

• An intensive training programme for resettlement staff in the field;

• Streamlining the submissions process, equipped with electronic data processing and other monitoring features; and

• Maintaining an effective information-exchange process among all partners in resettlement.

4. The introduction of an electronic submissions procedure will enhance the responsibilities of UNHCR field staff and also allow for regular monitoring and automated statistics collection by the Resettlement Section and by focal points in the field. The further decentralization of resettlement work, however, depends upon reinforcing UNHCR's field capacity. This, in turn, depends upon improved management of staff doing resettlement work in the field, as well as more and better training, and a broadened exposure of resettlement through outreach and public information activities. Regular consultations with Governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are proving essential to the exchange of information about resettlement needs and opportunities. Such consultations reflect that resettlement is a collaborative effort of many partners to provide protection and find durable solutions.

5. UNHCR's Resettlement Handbook is central to promoting a better understanding of resettlement. The Handbook is a public document aimed at enhancing consistency in the practice of actors working in resettlement. It is, of course, specifically aimed at UNHCR staff, NGOs, Governments and other UNHCR partners. The Handbook presents an overview of the history of resettlement and places it in the context of protection and durable solutions. It offers a detailed discussion of UNHCR's standards and procedures, explaining, for example, when staff should refer a refugee for resettlement and how to make a resettlement submission. The Resettlement Handbook offers practical guidance on counselling and on several special issues (such as the best interests of children and adolescents) and also includes useful background information on partnerships in resettlement. It should be recalled that while UNHCR has a fundamental responsibility to take action when resettlement is needed, the decision to accept or reject candidates for resettlement rests finally with States. Integral to the Resettlement Handbook, therefore, are the Country Chapters drafted by the Governments concerned. This compilation of documents reflects the diversity of criteria and priorities which must be accommodated in a coherent approach to resettlement.

6. After the Resettlement Handbook was issued last year, a series of seven workshops were organized to discuss its contents and to encourage constructive feedback. More than 100 UNHCR staff and a total of 60 Government and NGO representatives participated in these workshops. The 1997 version of the Resettlement Handbook incorporates many of the issues raised in the workshops. The chapter on UNHCR resettlement criteria was further refined, Country Chapters were standardized in a more comprehensive structure and the overall presentation of the Handbook is intended to be more user-friendly with added graphical elements and a resettlement processes flow-chart.

7. The Resettlement Handbook emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and active approach to resettlement. This relates, in particular, to the initial phases of identification, assessment and referral of cases of refugees in need of resettlement.

8. UNHCR will be pleased to respond to queries related to the Handbook or to resettlement in general. Considering the dynamic nature of resettlement and UNHCR's desire to support transparency, Governments are encouraged to continue to make use of available mechanisms for providing feedback on updates to the Resettlement Handbook, particularly through the Working Group on Resettlement.