You are here

Gov'ts, NGOs from region discuss best practices for refugee protection

By Laila Azzeh - Dec 09,2015 - Last updated at Dec 09,2015

A Syrian refugee carries his daughter as he waits to register his family's information at the Canadian processing centre for Syrian refugees, at the Amman Civil Airport in Marka, on Tuesday (Reuters photo by Muhammad Hamed )

AMMAN — Representatives of regional countries convened on Wednesday in Amman in a bid to identify the best field-tested survivor-centred practices that must be applied for efficient refugee protection systems.

They are attending a conference titled "Strengthening National Protection Systems in Refugee Settings: Principle and Practice", which commenced on Wednesday under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania. 

During the two-day gathering, held by the UNHCR, the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and the Public Security Department (PSD), 60 representatives of governments and NGOs are examining ways to "reinforce national protection systems and services provided by government and civil society organisations to protect refugee women and children", deemed the most vulnerable for exploitation, abuse and violence.

With forced displacement and migration likely to become the defining issue of the current century, regional countries should develop mechanisms that better enhance the protection of refugees, participants said.

"We are in a stage in world history where we have never seen this number of refugees," said UNHCR Representative to Jordan Andrew Harper.   

"I am pleased that this is a regional conference, because the issues we are discussing transcend boundaries… the issues that we are discussing now will have ramifications in the years to come," he added.  

The UN official commended the "generosity" of regional countries in hosting refugees. 

"The positive thing about a refugee in the Middle East is that they do not have to rely on international instruments. They [regional states] have a culture, tradition and basis for generosity which are lacking in the rest of the world," Harper said. 

He noted that there are around 4.3 million Syrian refugees in the region, mostly women and children. 

The UN official cited family separation, exploitation, child labour, early marriages and domestic violence as the main challenges facing the refugee community.

Participants at the conference are also working to develop a set of operational recommendations for further consideration at the national level by participating counties, with a view to strengthening the quality and sustainability of the protection of refugees in the Middle East.

PSD acting director Maj. Gen. Tahseen Momani highlighted efforts by the Kingdom to provide best services for the refugees, citing the department's establishment of a directorate specialised in their affairs. 

He said Jordan will present its experience in protecting victims of violence, sexual abuse and exploitation among refugees.

NCFA Secretary General Fadel Hmoud highlighted the council's endeavours to ensure society's condemnation of violence.

"The gathering will acquaint regional countries with best practices in offering psychosocial services and healthcare to refugees," he said during the opening of the conference, attended by acting Social Development Minister and Minister of Culture Lana Mamkegh on behalf of Queen Rania. 

Established in 2001 and headed by Her Majesty, NCFA is a civil society umbrella organisation that supports, coordinates and facilitates the work of its partners and relevant institutions involved and influential in the field of family affairs.

 

It acts as a national policy think tank, a coordinating and monitoring body, and an advocacy group for family issues.

up
67 users have voted.


Newsletter

Get top stories and blog posts emailed to you each day.

PDF