UNHCR Representative in Yemen to YT: The refugee problem at the global level is becoming more complex and larger in scale. The population movement from the poor to rich countries is on the rise. [Archives:2001/06/Law & Diplomacy]
February 5 2001
Q: When did the UNHCR begin its work in Yemen and from which countries do the refugees come? What are the objectives and activities of your organization in Yemen?
A: UNHCRs operations in Yemen started in early 1992, following the overthrow of the Siad Bare government in Somalia and the civil strife there, resulting in an influx of Somali refugees into Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. In response to a government request, we set up an office in Aden, as the majority of the Somali new arrivals were in the south of the country. The office in Sanaa dates back to 1987 and it dealt at that time with individual asylum seekers and refugees from Africa and some of the Arab countries. The Somali refugees constitute the largest group, numbering 51,623 registered persons with perhaps another 100,000 still unregistered. The next group is Eritrean refugees (2650 persons) most of whom came to Yemen in the 1980s during the war of independence, and who were followed by Ethiopians (760 persons) who arrived in Yemen after the overthrow of Mengistu regime. Lastly, there are small number of Sudanese and Iraqi refugees, 87 and 74 persons, respectively.
We are pursuing several objectives in coordination with the government. One, protection of asylum seekers and refugees arriving in Yemen from Somalia and some of the Arab countries. Two, providing food, shelter, medical care and education and income generation assistance to some 13,000 destitute Somali refugees living in the camps. Three, manage health, education and counseling facilities for urban refugees in Sanaa and in Aden. Four, promote solutions to refugee problems by means of assisting them to return voluntarily to their countries of origin and arrange for resettlement in western countries. Five, building the capacity of government organizations dealing with refugees through training workshops on principles of international refugee law and provision of equipment. Let me give some concrete examples and figures related to our assistance to refugees: some 25,000 refugees in Sanaa and Aden benefit from medical care in two health centers operated by international and national NGOs; over 3,300 refugee children receive primary education in both Somali and Arabic curricula in the camps as well as in Aden and Sanaa; 33 refugee students are provided with scholarships to pursue university education in Aden; community centers and social counseling services in these two cities find jobs, arrange for vocational and language training, represent refugees in the courts and give financial and food assistance to a limited number of needy urban refugees; and finally we provided emergency assistance to over 800 Eritrean refugees and Ethiopian nationals who arrived in Yemen from the port of Assab last May as the result of fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Obviously the needs are far greater than the available resources, that is why it is important to concentrate on meeting basic needs such as health care and education for refugee children. Our program in Yemen is implemented by four national and four international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Some of these NGOs are able to bring additional resources to complement the UNHCRs budget for assisting refugees. We put a great deal of emphasis on our collaboration with NGOs. They are our partners in the entire range of activities: protection, assistance and finding solutions. Last year the budget for operational activities was about US$3.2 million. Additionally, some of our implementing partners contributed or raised funds amounting to US$300,000 for the program in the same year. Currently we have four camps or facilities in Yemen assisting refugees: Al Gahin camp for Somali refugees in Abyan, Maifa Transit Center in Shabwa for helping new arrivals from Somalia, a small temporary camp in Al Mokha in Taiz, and the newly completed camp in Al Kharaz, Lahj governorate. The camp in Abyan will be closed shortly and refugees will be relocated to Al Kharazs while the facility in Al Mokha will also be closed once the Eritrean refugees have been repatriated.
Q: What is the governments policy on refugees and how do you cooperate?
A: The republic of Yemen is a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. The government has adopted a very generous admission policy vis-à-vis the Somali refugees under which they are accepted as refugees on a group basis. However, with respect to asylum seekers from other countries, they have to go through a status determination procedure that is carried out by UNHCR. Recently, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the National Committee on Refugee Affairs. This body will soon be constituted after receiving Presidential Decree. The creation of this committee will lead to a more effective coordination between different government entities dealing with asylum and refugee matters, and will allow for the development of policy and eventually legislation on asylum. We are working very closely with the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Immigration Authority and the offices of the Governors of Abyan, Aden, Lahj, and Taiz. Due to the economic situation of Yemen, the government is not involved in direct assistance to refugees. However, the government bears a significant portion of the social cost associated with the presence of refugees in Yemen.
Q: How do you deal with the incidence of HIV cases among the refugees from the Horn of Africa?
A: Yemen is situated very close to the Horn of Africa and there is a continuous human traffic from that region to this country. Not all those who arrive here, legally or otherwise, can be considered as refugees. Genuine asylum seekers fleeing persecution and war are mixed with economic migrants, and many of them use Yemen as a transit point for moving to other countries in the Arab Peninsula and the Gulf. Last year, there were about 20 positive HIV refugee cases, and all of them upon learning of the results and with proper counseling decided to return home with our assistance. In the absence of national data, it would be unfair to say that refugees are the source of this problem in Yemen.
Q: What are your plans and priorities for this year?
A: The first task to complete is the relocation of Somali refugees to the newly constructed camp in Al Kharaz in accordance with the government decision. Another equally important priority is to start the operation related to the registration and documentation of Somali refugees in Yemen who do not yet have any identification document. The technical details of this exercise have been worked out with our government counterpart, and UNHCR will provide both technical and financial assistance for the implementation of this very important program. We also plan to become more active in the area of repatriation to safe areas of Somalia. The recent political developments there could create opportunities for refugees to go home. This is the best solution for a refugee, to return to his country in safety and dignity, and UNHCR stands ready to facilitate and promote this process. Here one should recognize the useful and critical support the government of Yemen continues to provide to the newly established government in Mogadishu. Without political stability in Somalia, we cannot expect to solve the protracted refugee problem in the region. This year is the 50th anniversary of the coming into effect of the refugee Convention, now signed by more than 140 countries including the Republic of Yemen. UNHCR globally has begun a campaign to promote accession to the Convention as it constitutes the foundation of the international protection regime for asylum seekers and refugees throughout the world, and provides a framework for governments for adoption of national policies and legislation. The refugee problem at the global level is becoming more complex and larger in scale. The population movement from poor to rich countries is on the rise, leading many governments to adopt restrictive admission measures which often have the result of making it more difficult and dangerous for genuine asylum seekers to find protection and safety from persecution. Last December marked the 50th year of the establishment of UNHCR. The organization started in December 1950 with a staff of 33 people and a budget of US$300,000 to resettle one million post-World War II refugees. Fifty years later, the agency employs 5000 staff in 120 countries and cares for 22.3 million refugees with a budget of US$900 million. UNHCR relies on voluntary contributions from governments to finance its budget, although efforts are being made to tap into the resources of the private sector. The US, Japan, EC , Nordic and several western European countries give over 95% of the budget.
Q: There was a letter from a refugee in the last issue of Yemen Times making complaints against UNHCR. What are your comment on this matter?
A: Let me first deal with the valid points raised in that letter. It is correct that we suspended in early December the reception facility for refugees in our office in Sanaa. This was due to numerous acts of violence against the staff and office by asylum seekers. The principal demand from their side was issuance of ID cards for Somali refugees which could not be accommodated by our office. As I mentioned earlier, this operation will start soon and by the competent authorities. We have now been able, with the help of authorities, to establish adequate security outside the office premises and we will resume services very soon. I should mention that during this period we continued to see refugees by appointment and interviews did continue. The other valid point is the increase in the waiting period for a refugee to be interviewed or be given a decision about his/her status. Normally, the whole process from the time of making an asylum claim by an applicant to the first decision on the case should not exceed six months and this was our standard for previous years. However, last year we faced a steep rise in the number of asylum claims, which led to an increase in this period. Then there is an appeal process. If the decision for refugee status is negative, then that also adds to the time needed to arrive at the final outcome for a particular case. We are now increasing our capacity to reduce this time. It is important to note that in many countries where the governments examine asylum claims, the waiting period exceeds one year. I should like now to address allegations made in that letter against the office. First the issue of resettlement. This option is entirely a protection solution to a refugee problem and is not intended to improve his/her socio-economic well being. It basically facilitates resettlement of a refugee in a western country and is available to refugees who fulfill the criteria established by UNHCR in consultation with resettlement countries. Briefly, these criteria are security cases, women at risk and life-saving medical cases. It is incumbent upon the office to apply these criteria strictly, fairly and in a transparent manner. Last year, UNHCR resettled 169 refugees to western countries, based on the above considerations. We intend to continue this program, but cannot yield to expectations of refugees who do not meet the criteria. Finally, there are allegations of corruption among the staff. I have not come across any credible evidence to prove even a single incident. I have a great respect for the staff. They work under extremely demanding conditions, and it is entirely unfair to make such accusations. The UN system has well established regulations to deal with proven cases of corruption provided credible and reasonable evidence is at hand.
Q: Any final comments?
A: Let me finish by making a general point about refugees. They are human beings with needs, hopes and aspirations like the rest of us. We should have respect for them, for their contributions and potentials and for their rights. Thank you.
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