Finding Durable Solutions Research Articles

Internally Displaced Persons: Rights, Implementation, and the Way Forward in Pakistan

Pakistan currently has one of the highest numbers of internally displaced persons in its territory. There are many reasons why more and more people are being displaced each year. This paper will discuss in detail the condition of those IDPs who attained such character because of violence or war. It further goes on to describe the legal framework for IDPs. Apart from UN Guiding Principles and constitutional guarantees, there is no specific law that deals with IDPs. The Study suggested that the authorities should provide them with all their basic needs and work tirelessly to make their return to their homelands possible. Furthermore, the paper will analyze the challenges faced by IDPs in accessing education and employment opportunities, which further hinder their ability to rebuild their lives. Additionally, it will explore the importance of international cooperation and humanitarian aid in addressing the needs of IDPs and finding durable solutions for their displacement.

Future Plans and Durable Solutions for War Affected Population in FR of Yugoslavia

Judging by the future plans expressed in the Census, 410.3 thousand refugees and other war affected persons intend to permanently settle in the FR of Yugoslavia, while approximately 54 thousand persons are planning repatriation. The census results show that the younger, better educated, employed and those with their own apartments, more than others wish to remain in the FR of Yugoslavia. War-affected persons of other than Serb nationality, the elderly, pensioners, the unemployed and those accommodated in collective centers, to a greater extent plan to repatriate. In order to find durable solutions it is important also to analyze the number of war-affected persons and the conditions under which they would return to their previous habitual residence. According to the survey, conducted by the Economic institute, a mere 4.0% of the respondents replied that they would return "regardless of everything, while a further 3.9% would return if they were given guarantees regarding their safety. An important factor for 34.2% of the respondents, in addition to their safety is the existence of appropriate financial conditions, while 57.9% would not return, under any circumstances. Although the future plans of the refugees cannot be considered as being definite, finding durable solutions, especially in the sphere of refugee integration cannot be left to spontaneous processes. Rather this requires the formulation of a programme that must be development oriented and designed so that conflicts with the local population are avoided. A precisely defined legal and institutional framework is necessary for integration. Both in this sphere, and especially in the part which will remain humanitarian in character, international assistance is indispensable.

Surviving the Anthropocene: How evaluation can contribute to knowledge and better policymaking

We live in the Anthropocene in which human impact on Earth is the dominant force. At the same time, humans are very much part of the ecosystem. This close interdependency is brought home by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as by anthropogenic climate change. Ecosystem health and human health are closely interlinked. Transformational change is required to avoid further catastrophes caused by the three environmental crises that human actions have caused: climate crisis; nature crisis; and pollution and waste crisis. Evaluation can contribute to finding durable solutions based on sound science and experiences from the field, but to do so evaluation must broaden its vision. Theory-based approaches will remain central, but they must be open to the full human and natural systems in which the intervention that is the evaluand operates. Evaluations must also pay attention to unintended consequences of all interventions to the environment, to social and power relations, to women, indigenous peoples and vulnerable groups. I identify three principles for evaluation in the Anthropocene, at the nexus of human and natural systems, and illustrate them using examples from evaluations from the Global Environment Facility: (a) integrating human and natural systems; (b) geographical approaches; and (c) addressing the drivers.

The Responsibility to Protect Internally Displaced Persons in Africa

AbstractThis article explores the responsibility to protect (R2P) as an organizing concept for preventing, addressing and finding durable solutions to internal displacement in Africa. While the most innovative norms for protecting the forcibly displaced have been conceptualized in Africa, they have not durably addressed displacement, due to limitations in implementation. R2P has similarly faced criticisms emanating from a lack of clarity and distrust. Restated norms underlying frameworks for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and R2P complement each other, and can be operationalized simultaneously through a more credible regional approach, to encourage effective protection of IDPs in Africa. The article explores pillar one, pillar two and the non-coercive elements of pillar three of R2P, and its underlying moral principles, using Kenya as a case study of the process of seeking to secure state responsibility for the protection of displaced civilians victimized by mass atrocities.

Noise pollution at school environment: review study of China and South Africa cases

Today, noise pollution in educational institutions presents a serious problematic pushing the world to work on finding durable solutions. Many recent studies have been conducted in many countries for the purpose of reducing and maintaining ambient noise levels inside the school environment to the adequate level, to provide good teaching and learning conditions for both teachers and students. The two articles treating noise pollution at school environment in South Africa and in China, were analysed in this review in order to present different solutions to this problem and their adequacy to maintain noise pollution in scholar environment.

Finding a durable solution to Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee problem: Policies, prospects and politics

The article examines the traditional durable solutions to resolving the problem of the Rohingyas who crossed the Myanmar border during 2017–2018 and took refuge in Bangladesh. The article analyses the attitudes and behaviour of displaced Rohingyas and of Bangladesh, Myanmar and traditional settlement countries, as well as the hidden forces, including ethnoreligious factors, geo-strategic factors and public opinion, which impact the Rohingyas. It argues that finding durable solutions through repatriation, integration or resettlement of Rohingya refugees in their home, host and third countries respectively is almost unachievable. In line with the recent conceptualization of durable solutions by academics and practitioners, a context-specific solution is recommended for Rohingyas, combining national restoration of their civil and political rights in Myanmar, political and economic burden-sharing by prosperous countries and capacity-building of refugees to influence their own futures.

Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources during Armed Conflicts in Africa

Abstract Scarce environmental and natural resources, such as minerals and water, are traditional origins of armed conflicts in Africa. There are persuasive and wide-ranging claims to the effect that environmental degradation will intensify resource scarcity and consequently contribute to an increase in armed conflict. Existing studies show that most governments in Africa overexploit valuable natural resources such as diamonds, oil and timber to finance war, without regard to environmental protection. Environmental protection during armed conflict has therefore gradually gained significant attention at international, national and regional levels. This article explores how regional laws could fill gaps in the international legal frameworks for the protection of the environment and natural resources in the context of armed conflicts in Africa. It considers the extent to which the enforceable content of regional and international norms apply to environmental damage in times of armed conflict and assesses the main shortcomings of existing normative frameworks to make a case for reform. The article argues that regional law (the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) offers strong and direct protection to the natural environment during armed conflict and requires a lower threshold for its application as compared with the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. It concludes by providing recommendations on finding durable solutions to protection of the environment during resource-fuelled armed conflict in Africa.

Post Disaster Relocation Issues: A Case Study of Samasarakanda Landslide in Sri Lanka

Landslide-induced displacement is an unexpected tragedy as well as a major development constraint which cannot be overcome sustainably unless a well-established mechanism is functionalized. Since the displacement is a life changing event, the attention should be focused to address all aspects of restoration of lives such as building houses, establishing livelihood opportunities, rehabilitation and reintegration in the process of relocation. In order to address the relocation issues and challenges for seeking durable solutions, community based strategies are most welcome in contemporary disaster management plans. In addition to examine the failures of existing relocation programmes, this study has attempted to investigate one of the neglected aspects of restoring displaced lives in the recovery phase of disaster management cycle; post-relocation satisfaction. The methodology has initially been designed based on qualitative approach focusing 72 households selected through judgment sampling from six relocated housing schemes after the massive landslide occurred in 2016 at Aranayaka division in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques have been used for data collection through questionnaires, structural interviews, semi structural interviews and case studies while descriptive data analytical methods applied particularly for case study interpretation. The research results revealed that, this unexpected landslide hazard has created several socio-economic constraints which cause to accelerate the relocation issues. Lack of involvement of the government institutions in finding durable solutions at the recovery phase and the delay of policy implementation are identified as the main interlinked issues in the process of relocation. Due to the lack of community participation in project planning and less cooperation between the authorities and the public, most of the relocation programmes could not achieve the expected project deliverables. Therefore the research paper suggests new strategies to overcome the existing issues and challenges in order to minimize the problems faced by post-landslide relocated communities.

Spatial Variation of Plastic Waste Generation in Present Sri Lanka

An understanding of the spatial variations of solid waste generation helps in many ways to design waste management policies particularly at micro-regional levels. Many of the studies have focused different factors behind the postconsumer plastic waste generation as the determinants, but few of them focused on the spatial variation in finding durable solutions. In this study, quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to identify the spatial variation of plastic waste generation in Sri Lanka. Research results reveals that the per capita generation of plastic waste has a significant variation among provinces, districts and LGAs. The per capita plastic waste at national level is 0.11 kg per week and 5.72 kg per year. This finding coincides approximately with the Sri Lanka custom data of annual plastic import for consumption (5kg per head in 2014). The most prominently used plastic items are lunch sheets, polythene bags, shopping bags and wrappers of food items. It is revealed that the spatial variation of plastic waste generation is very dynamic among the districts and LGAs. Despite the western province, the second highest generation of plastic waste is recorded in the Eastern province. The study concludes that those significant findings could provide quick, useful and low-cost decision support to find durable solutions for emerging issues of post consumer plastic waste generation.

La protección y búsqueda de soluciones duraderas para las personas desplazadas internamente

<p>Internally displaced persons are essentially internal refugees, persons who would have been considered refugees if they crossed an international border. Concern for human rights of displaced people is part of the context of a growing recognition of the need to address the protection of civilians in armed conflict. But there is widespread ignorance about what it means protection. The protection of IDPs is addressed from the analysis of the concept of protection from a rights-based approach. The protection of IDPs, ultimately involves ensuring that they can resume a normal life by achieving a durable solution. However, although there have been advances in the normative and conceptual process of finding durable solutions, the existence of at least 40 countries with people in protracted displacement means that the IDPs are still marginalized in the process of peace building. In this article, it is proposed that existing conceptual difficulties explain the limited attention given to this problem.</p><p><strong>Published online</strong>: 11 December 2017</p>

Burdens or Benefits: A Critical Analysis of the Nexus between Refugees and Host Communities in Zimbabwe

The paper sought to explore the linkages, relationships and the impact of the presence of refugees on the host communities in Zimbabwe. Qualitative research methodology was used to collect data through participant observations, meetings, transect walks, discussions with refugees and host community members and documentary reviews. Generally the study found that cordial relations, peaceful co-existence and cooperation on issues of mutual concern were found between the refugees in Tongogara Camp and the surrounding host communities. The study recommends the promotion of amicable co-existence between refugees and host communities through finding durable solutions to issues or problems that arise due to the coming of refugees into the area.

TEMPORARY REFUGE FROM WAR: CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE SYRIAN CONFLICT

AbstractThe rule of temporary refuge forms the cornerstone of the response of States to large-scale influx of refugees. In the context of civilians fleeing armed conflict, this legal rule imposes a positive obligation onallStates to admit and not to return anyone to a situation where there is a risk to life, and to provide basic rights commensurate with human dignity. Also implicit in the rule is the expectation of shared responsibility for large numbers of refugees and of international cooperation towards finding durable solutions. This article examines the customary international law of temporary refuge (also known as temporary protection) in relation to the Syrian conflict. It discusses implementation of the rule in the practice of three countries neighbouring Syria, and in the EU. It finds that the practice of Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan has been consistent with the rule of temporary refuge. However, the EU has decided not to use the Temporary Protection Directive; instead individual Member States have relied on the Refugee Convention and EU law, combined with various other measures not pertinent to temporary protection. It is concluded that shared responsibility is the linchpin of temporary refuge. Absent this keystone, the rule of temporary refuge is likely to continue to be implemented primarily in a regional context by those countries nearest to the country affected by the conflict, as in the case of Syria.

The Global Refugee Crisis: Empirical Evidence and Policy Implications for Improving Public Attitudes and Facilitating Refugee Resettlement

The number of refugees across the globe is at an alarming high and is expected to continue to rise for the foreseeable future. As a result, finding durable solutions for refugees has become a major challenge worldwide. The literature reviewed and policy implications discussed in this article are based on the premise that one of the major solutions to the refugee crisis must be refugee resettlement in new host countries. For such a solution to succeed, however, requires relatively favorable attitudes by members of host societies, protection of the well‐being of refugees, and effective integration of refugees into new host countries. In this context, we begin by reviewing the literature on determinants of public attitudes toward refugees, the acculturation of refugees in host societies, and factors affecting refugee mental health, all of which are directly relevant to the success of the resettlement process. We then turn our attention to the policy implications of these literatures, and discuss strategies for improving public attitudes toward refugees and refugee resettlement in host countries; for improving the resettlement process to reduce mental health challenges; and for supporting the long‐term acculturation and integration of refugees in their new homes.

Disenchantment with Liberalism in Post-Soviet Societies

In post-Soviet societies, liberalism has come to be perceived as contradictory to the rule of law and norms of decency, even as the antithesis of order and associated with chaos. However, it may be accurate to talk about disenchantment with misperceived liberalism and a defensive reflex by societies that are struggling with their post-totalitarian burdens in the face of misrepresented liberal ideas. It is important to analyze the reasons for, implications of, and ways to overcome this awkward phenomenon, since the major problems of the region cannot be solved without recourse to liberal ideas.The paper argues that the methods used to bring liberalism to a number of post-Soviet societies, particularly Russia, proved to be wrong. Nonetheless, we have to be optimistic about the prospects for developing liberal ideas in the region. For one thing, contrary to what is usually stated, the seeming disenchantment with liberalism does not follow from the civilizational underpinnings of contemporary post-Soviet societies. The basic ideas of liberal philosophy are not something unwanted by or alien to the great majority of post- Soviet people. Their disenchantment with liberalism is not a matter of general principles, but rather a collateral result of abuses of liberalism and systematic disinformation.It seems proper to assert that, after the collapse of the totalitarian system, post-Soviet societies have returned to their natural path of developing liberal values, which had been seriously interrupted by the Soviet system. A liberal outlook is indispensable to finding durable solutions to most problems and difficulties that have befallen post-Soviet societies. In the examples of Russia and Kazakhstan, it can be argued that a post-Soviet society will inevitably transition to a society with a more liberal outlook, if the internal demands for achieving this goal can be maintained. However, robust internal demands for liberalization can emerge only through promoting a kind of liberalism that is acceptable to the minds and hearts of the people and elites of post-Soviet countries, which takes into account the peculiarities of their economic and social structures.

When refugees stopped being migrants: Movement, labour and humanitarian protection

States and refugee advocates often insist that ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’ are separate distinct categories, despite ample evidence that these labels blur in practice. However, little attention is paid to the fact that in the past refugees were considered as migrants, with international attention focusing on securing their access to existing migration channels. This article traces this tangled history of refugee and migrant identities through the 1920s to the 1950s, when ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’ categories were separated. The article argues that treating refugees as migrants in the 1920s and 1930s failed to ensure their protection from persecution because their admission was entirely dependent upon economic criteria. Separating refugees from migrants in the 1950s—by providing refugees with an exceptional right to cross borders and claim asylum—helped to address this protection gap. However, the article shows that in creating a special route for admission deliberately set apart from migration, the humanitarian discourse that protects refugees from harm actually prevents refugees from finding durable solutions, which depend upon securing an economic livelihood and not just receiving humanitarian assistance. The article concludes that, in the interests of refugee solutions, the extent of separation between refugee protection and access to migration should be reversed. Refugee advocates should reconsider the many innovative lessons both from the Nansen era and the decade of experimentation that preceded the establishment of today’s contemporary refugee protection framework in 1951. While asylum and the ‘refugee’ category perform essential roles in admitting those in need of international protection, asylum alone—unlike migration—cannot meet long-term needs. Reconfiguring understandings of on-going refugee protection to facilitate movement and prioritize the securing of sustainable livelihoods would both better reflect the reality of people’s movements in conflict and crisis and offer more opportunities for durable solutions to protracted crises.

Incapsulating hands: on the (in)dependence of young adults in the UNHCR’s Maratane Refugee Camp

Drawing on research with a small group of young women and men in Maratane Refugee Camp, Mozambique, this paper argues that youth envisage themselves as incapsulated in the camp’s physical and ideological boundaries. It shows that the United Nations’ (UN) mandate of finding durable solutions to international problems is difficult to achieve when young people envisage themselves as reliant or dependent on the UN. It argues that greater attention needs to be given to the mentoring of young people within the UN system, so that they are equipped with viable and realistic life expectations and skills.

The Uprooted: Improving Humanitarian Responses to Forced Migration

In this collaborative project, the authors ‘methodically examine the progress and persistent shortcomings of the current humanitarian regime’. The analysis is based on ‘site visits in five countries with significant displacement’. The locations (Burundi, Colombia, East Timor, Georgia and Sri Lanka) were chosen for diversity and to allow examination of ‘different strategies undertaken by the United Nations’. The authors argue forcefully for their proposals, using a range of strategies, reasoning on the basis of these site visits and succinct, comparative analysis of credible secondary materials, including State, NGO and academic research. In addition to qualitative observations, the authors are numerically and statistically adept at supporting their assertions. When discussing host country treatment, examples are drawn in large part from the US, but European and diverse other models are also referred to. The book is organized thematically covering the legal frameworks, institutions, funding of operations, and security concerns that relate to such operations. It concludes with a discussion of the challenges of finding durable solutions. The book is centred on making recommendations to improve humanitarian responses to forced migration which are helpfully set against the backdrop of a full explanation of the history and context of current problems requiring resolution.

Promoting Protection: Multilateral Efforts to Enhance Refugee Protection and the Search for Durable Solutions

Many commentators have expressed concern about the state of the international refugee regime, including perceived deficiencies in how States have addressed issues related to access to asylum and the differentiated quality of protection offered among countries. Importantly, however, the last three years have seen a concerted effort by the international community to reinvigorate debate over practical approaches to refugee protection and the need to identify solutions for refugees in protracted refugee situations. This process has resulted in a frank exchange of views among a broad range of States, NGOs, and academics about the challenges and opportunities presented by refugee and other population flows. It has led to a reaffirmation of the centrality of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and a recognition that the development of new tools, strategies, and mechanisms is warranted if the international community is going to respond effectively to contemporary population movements. Canada has been at the forefront in these international discussions, promoting an agenda aimed at securing more holistic responses to refugee protection and using creative approaches to resolve outstanding refugee caseloads. A key challenge will be to sustain the momentum and focus on practical efforts geared towards securing the ultimate goal of refugee protection – finding durable solutions.

Working Paper on the Role of Rehabilitation in Refugee Resettlement

Paul Hartling, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stated recently that “being a refugee is in itself a handicap” (UN General Assembly, 1981a, p. 39). Like persons who experience a disability, refugees find themselves in a situation which drastically alters their life, yet one over which they have little or no control. As political unrest, economic hardship and instability spread throughout the world, the number of persons pushed out of their homes and their livelihoods increases. Governments and agencies which provide relief to these refugees are starting to recognize the importance of finding durable solutions rather than providing only temporary solutions in the form of immediate relief. Rehabilitations’ successful experience in helping handicapped persons to become fully-functioning, independent members of society can serve as a basis for developing programs to help refugees do the same.Because refugees have not traditionally been viewed as clients by the rehabilitation profession, the first section of this paper attempts to familiarize the reader with the current worldwide refugee situation. To be able to assist refugees we must first be knowledgable of the refugee problem in a global sense and also from the standpoint of the individual refugee.The second section is a review of refugee assistance activities. Much is being done in the field of refugee relief and it is worthwhile to study both the successes and failures of past and present endeavors. In this way we can avoid the replication of programs which have failed and learn from those that have succeeded.The third section is a survey of the knowledge, skills and techniques of rehabilitation with implications for finding long-lasting solutions to the problems of refugees.