A/HRC/29/34
linked to their displacement and can enjoy their human rights without discrimination on
account of their displacement.”15
43.
States and other national and international actors frequently misunderstand what
constitute durable solutions. Neither return to place of origin nor establishing permanent
settlement elsewhere constitute, on their own, durable solutions. In places of origin, homes,
infrastructure and livelihoods may be destroyed and development projects are essential for
early recovery and reconstruction. Property may have been occupied or sold creating
significant obstacles to be resolved. IDPs opting for local integration require development
assistance to overcome barriers to integration. Improved housing provision or cash grants,
for example, do not constitute durable solutions if not combined with strategies to address
livelihood and integration objectives. Host communities affected may also require sustained
development assistance.
44.
As highlighted in the IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally
Displaced Persons, achieving durable solutions entails responding to key development
challenges in addition to guaranteeing security and non-discrimination. They include
ensuring access to livelihoods, education and health care in areas of return, local integration
or other settlement areas, helping to establish or re-establish local governance structures
and the rule of law, and supporting the rebuilding of houses and infrastructure. International
humanitarian and development actors must have rapid and unimpeded access to assist IDPs
in finding durable solutions. Such actors have a complementary role alongside national
authorities and they should all work together to set up a rights-based process to support
durable solutions for IDPs.
45.
Humanitarian responses to displacement are frequently short-term and focused
on immediate needs despite the fact that chronic and protracted crises have become the
norm and are to a large extent predictable. Humanitarian actors commonly focus on
narrowly defined mandates and objectives, for example the provision of shelter, water,
sanitation and hygiene, food, health care or education. Humanitarian coordination has
vastly improved, including through the use of thematic clusters, and in some situations
working groups on durable solutions. However, responses rarely meet durable solutions
criteria for protracted displacement situations. Holistic development approaches have longterm and sustainable objectives which recognize, for example, the fundamental
interconnection between shelter and livelihood, and their importance for health, food
security and education.
E.
Why should internally displaced persons be a priority within
development agendas?
46.
Due to conflict and political, social or other factors, including failure to
implement international standards, many IDPs in all regions find themselves in protracted
displacement situations. What were originally “temporary” solutions may regrettably
become more permanent places of settlement. According to the Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs, when governments and international agencies understand that
reality they must recognize that “internal displacement is not only a humanitarian issue
but ultimately and most importantly a long-term development issue that requires the full
and sustained engagement of a diversity of national and international actors”.16
15
16
12
A/HRC/13/21/Add.4.
Hansjoerg Strohmeyer, Chief of Policy Development, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs, “The forgotten millions”. Available from https://medium.com/@UNOCHA/the-forgottenmillions-6a18188d165c.
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