A/HRC/8/6 page 13 donors of the importance of assisting the peace process by continuing to provide substantial support to programmes for displaced persons, in order to support the process of return and ensure the continued presence of agencies and organizations involved in this field. 47. In the context of his constructive dialogue with the Côte d’Ivoire authorities, the Representative wrote to Prime Minister Soro on 12 March 2008 to draw his attention to reports of clashes between returnees and indigenous groups in the west of the country. He also took the opportunity to reiterate his concern about participation by displaced persons in the electoral process, in view of the difficulties they are encountering in obtaining court declarations to replace birth certificates. Afghanistan 48. The Representative took advantage of his attendance at a United Nations conference on the protection of civilians in Afghanistan from 11 to 17 August 2007 to meet Vice-President Karim Khalili, several ministers and representatives of international agencies and non-governmental organizations on the situation of displaced persons in the country. The Representative considers that if the conflict continues at the present pace, there is potential for a significant increase in the number of persons displaced as a result of military operations and fighting in the south of the country. He deplores the difficulties encountered by humanitarian personnel in gaining access to them as a result of the prevailing insecurity. The situation could worsen if refugees returning from Pakistan or the Islamic Republic of Iran are unable to return to their places of origin or become integrated in another region. Furthermore, if the volume of such returns exceeds the ability of Afghan society to absorb them, there is a risk that the number of displaced persons will also rise. 49. On the subject of protection against displacement, the Representative wishes to remind all parties to the conflict that strict compliance with international humanitarian law can help to minimize the scale and duration of displacement. In particular, he cites the obligation to respect the distinction between civilians and combatants, the principle of proportionality and the obligation to take all necessary precautionary measures. In addition, the Representative draws the attention of all those involved to the fact that, in the quest for durable solutions for displaced persons, special attention must be paid to their right to security, shelter and a livelihood, as well as the need to address land disputes and the question of land redistribution. 50. During his visit, the Representative encouraged the Government and the international humanitarian community to evaluate the needs of displaced persons in terms of assistance and protection, but also in the framework of the search for durable solutions. He also called for the development of a national strategy on internal displacement and the clear identification of coordination machinery and specification of responsibilities. The Representative is continuing the dialogue on these issues with the United Nations country team, and welcomes the fact that the evaluation and efforts to enhance coordination are under way. United States of America 51. The Representative went to the United States from 14 to 18 January 2008 for a working visit to study the impact of Hurricane Katrina, which had devastated the south-eastern coast of the country between 29 August and 1 September 2005, on the situation of the persons who are