PrintInitiatives to address the situation of displaced persons and promote sustainable returns
Objective
Fund the development and implementation of durable solutions for displaced persons (whether this be through voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement) and strengthen the protection afforded to displaced populations throughout the world.
Description
The program is administered by the department in consultation with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). In 2007–08, Australia concentrated its efforts on developing and implementing durable solutions for people in protracted displacement situations, providing urgent humanitarian relief to stabilise populations displaced by conflict and strengthening the protection afforded to displaced populations internationally.
In 2007–08, the department funded projects in the Middle East (Iraq and Syria), South Asia (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal) and Southeast Asia (Thailand and Indonesia).
Support was provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Austcare, an Australian non-government organisation with protection expertise overseas, as follows:
- $553 000 to UNHCR to assist Iraqi women and girls in Syria who are or may become victims of sexual and gender-based violence
- $217 000 to UNHCR for the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection for displaced Iraqis in Iraq
- $1 million to the IOM to assist in stabilising approximately 500 000 displaced people in Iraq
- $630 000 to Austcare for the provision of protection officers in conflict-affected displacement situations in Asia, the Middle East and/or Africa
- $917 000 to UNICEF for the protection of refugee children along the Thai-Burma border
- $950 000 to UNHCR in Bangladesh to improve the living conditions of Rohingya refugees from Burma
- $700 000 to UNHCR for protection and humanitarian assistance to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal
- $1 483 000 to UNHCR for refugee registration activities to support the long-term development of comprehensive and durable solutions for Afghans in Pakistan
- $702 000 to expand UNHCR's activities in Indonesia
- $984 000 to the IOM for a central transportation hub to deliver humanitarian assistance and relief supplies to Sri Lankans displaced by conflict.
All amounts are rounded to the nearest $1000.
Performance
Through its contributions, the government continued to promote durable solutions for displaced persons, create protection spaces for displaced populations and provide urgent humanitarian relief to people displaced by international emergencies. These activities assist in stabilising displaced populations, preventing vulnerable populations from being targeted by people smugglers and trafficking, and preventing and deterring irregular migration, both within the region and to Australia.
Funding was provided to the IOM in Sri Lanka for a centralised transport service to assist over 50 internal agencies to deliver humanitarian and relief items to approximately 300 000 internally displaced persons.
Australia's support for UNHCR in Indonesia has strengthened protection capacity building in Indonesia, including allowing faster processing of refugee status determinations through the deployment of additional UNHCR protection officers in field locations throughout Indonesia.
Australia's funding to UNHCR has assisted more than 124 000 Afghani returnees, by providing support for initial reintegration, mine awareness, polio and measles vaccinations for children, basic medical assistance, legal aid and transit centres for overnight stays.
Table 59: Initiatives to address the situation of displaced persons and promote sustainable returns—performance information| Measures | Results |
|---|---|
| Quantity | |
| Number of aid contributions | Australia's contributions totalled $8.136 million in 2007–08 and were disbursed between 10 different projects |
| Quality | |
| Aid contributions paid in a timely manner and in accordance with government priorities | Australia's contributions were made throughout the financial year and supported the development and implementation of durable solutions for displaced populations as well as urgent humanitarian relief |
