Doha: The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), organized a panel discussion on innovative approaches to support refugees, to mark World Refugee Day on June 20. The event aimed to explore innovative and sustainable approaches to supplement and enhance traditional solutions, addressing their shortcomings and providing new ways to effectively support refugees. In the session, moderated by Dr. Mohammed Al Sousi from the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, speakers emphasized that the refugee crisis poses a significant challenge to the traditional solutions pursued by the United Nations and UNHCR, as well as other international entities. Significant obstacles hinder the resettlement of refugees, local integration, and voluntary repatriation, affecting the principle of international protection both conceptually and practically. Speakers cited statistics indicating that there are over 120 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide, with expectations that this number will increase to 130 million by the end of the year due to ongoing crises and wars in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and other countries. Over 50 percent of these displaced persons come from countries within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). They pointed out various challenges faced by host countries, including economic strain, the large influx of refugees in short periods, legal and administrative issues related to registering and accommodating refugees in hospitals and schools, and integrating them into local communities. Language and cultural barriers, as well as local communities' resistance due to perceived competition for jobs and resources, also pose significant challenges. The speakers called for cooperation and coordination among countries, governments, regional and international organizations, and civil society institutions to develop a comprehensive strategy to manage refugee situations, as wars and conflicts and the resulting displacement are ongoing phenomena. UNHCR representative in the State of Qatar Ahmed Mohsen discussed the increasing number of refugees worldwide and the scarcity of funding to support them. He noted that over 85% of host countries are among the poorest nations and stressed the need to raise international awareness about the importance of voluntary contributions. He also highlighted the need to activate the Islamic endowment system (waqf) to support refugee efforts and services, integrate humanitarian work with developmental efforts through clear international commitments, and coordinate among various international and regional entities to address the political, legal, media, and humanitarian aspects of the refugee crisis through partnerships and solidarity to end wars and establish peace. Mohsen mentioned that the average duration of displacement has doubled over the past decade from 10 to 25 years due to prolonged conflicts, indicating that there is no humanitarian solution without a political solution. He outlined th e conditions for voluntary repatriation and the challenges it faces, whether due to the good living conditions of refugees in host countries or the lack of services in their home countries. Deputy Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Qatar Yara Khawaja explained that the ICRC balances its humanitarian mission with political differences in its operations. She emphasized the ICRC's principles of neutrality and impartiality, maintaining communication with all parties involved in conflicts, including armed groups and supporting states. Khawaja noted that the number of countries experiencing conflicts has tripled, and the number of displaced persons has increased fivefold over the past decade. The ICRC works with states, groups, media, and host communities, fully aware of the ethics of dealing with armed individuals and hate speech. Director of Relief and International Development Division at Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) Dr. Mohamed Salah Ibrahim reviewed the organizatio n's extensive efforts to support refugees worldwide through its missions and cooperation with specialized agencies and local associations. He highlighted the Red Crescent's projects aimed at alleviating the impact of displacement, working in five main sectors: health, shelter, food, livelihoods, and water and sanitation. He added that the Qatar Red Crescent engages in numerous projects and community partnerships, involving the Qatari community in supporting its efforts through awareness initiatives, volunteering, partnerships with local institutions, donation campaigns, and educating youth in schools and universities through various media. Dr. Mustafa Osman Al-Amin, who is a professor of Islam and Global Affairs at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, discussed the ongoing Sudanese crisis and the resulting displacement, affecting the Sudanese population both internally and externally. He noted that internal displacement, as seen in the repeated displacements from Khartoum to Madani and then to Sennar and other regi ons, is less severe than external displacement, where Sudanese refugees face language barriers, difficulties integrating into new societies, poverty in host countries, and challenges in education and employment. Source: Qatar News Agency
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