Africa's protracted refugee crises must be tackled quickly - ExCom

GENEVA, 5 Oct. (UNHCR) - Urgent measures, including the implementation of long-term development projects, are needed to tackle Africa's protracted refugee crises, UNHCR's annual Executive Committee meeting was told.

A panel from donor and host governments, U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations met Wednesday and said the Refugee Agency should urgently meet with key continental players to promote long-term development plans which would benefit both refugees and local host communities.

Assistant High Commissioner Søren Jessen-Petersen acknowledged that the agency must work with governments, other U.N. agencies and NGOs in seeking solutions.

"While responding to emergencies, it is important that goals for durable solutions are set at the same time," William Garvelink, from USAID, told the panel. "Steps have to be taken to integrate refugees and returnees into development plans. Donor governments rarely take" this into account.

"There are three generations of refugees in Zambia, and we do not want to see a fourth one in 10 years time," Zambia's representative Chipili Nkonga said. Currently refugees receive 2.5 acres of land per family and enjoy the same rights as local citizens, but "Zambia is in a hurry," the official said. "We have political will. We want to do the quick step. We want to move. We have made suggestions, and we know they can be implemented."

Judith Lewis of the World Food Programme said there was a myth that refugee crises were temporary. "The typical refugee situation in Africa is protracted, so planning must be long term," she said. "Effective relief and development activities can only be provided in a climate of solid partnership and increasing longer term visions."

UNICEF's Nils Kastberg said in addition to traditional humanitarian partners, UNHCR should also work with groups such as the U.N. Department of Peace-Keeping Operations and the Department of Political Affairs.