HE UNHCR Representative to Qatar Ahmed Mohsen stressed that the commissioner faces several challenges in responding to the humanitarian and development needs of millions of displaced people and refugees around the globe and alleviating their suffering, explaining that these challenges include lack of funding, difficulty in reaching conflict-affected areas, security stability, and remote areas, as well as political, security, and logistic challenges.
In his interview with QNA, Mohsen noted that, in order to overcome the challenges, UNHCR woks with many partners to mobilize sources of funding and strengthen and build effective partnerships with governments, organizations working in the humanitarian field as well as UN organizations, in addition to the private sector and individuals, with the aim of cooperating and coordinating efforts aimed at helping the most vulnerable people who are far from their homes.
In response to a question about international issues and files concerned with refugees, which will be discussed at the meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78), UNHCR Representative to Qatar said that we live in a world in which millions of people are still forced to leave their homes to survive, due to wars, conflicts, persecution and the effects of climate change, indicating that the number of forcibly displaced people is estimated at more than 110 million people, including refugees, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers and others in need of international protection. At the same time, many conflicts that are displacing millions of people remain without solutions in sight, preventing refugees and displaced persons from returning to their homes in safety and dignity, he added.
Mohsen indicated that middle-income and low-income countries continue to host the vast majority of refugees while suffering from economic crises, and remain in need of more support to continue hosting them with generosity and open hearts.
He pointed out the commissioner’s belief that addressing the global forced displacement crisis requires international cooperation to share responsibility in providing assistance and protection to forcibly displaced people and to work on finding sustainable solutions with the aim of achieving peace and stability, which is why UNGA’s annual meetings are an international platform and an opportunity to shed light on the humanitarian reality and research to find comprehensive solutions and mobilize support.
On the refugee crisis in the Asia-Pacific region, Mohsen emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region faces many crises, such as the Afghan refugee crisis and the Rohingya refugee crisis, including those related to the effects of climate change, such as the response to the devastating floods that struck areas in Pakistan last year, affecting hundreds of thousands of refugees and host communities.
In this regard, Mohsen pointed out that UNHCR supported the Pakistani government-led response effort and delivered more than 10,000 metric tons of aid including tents, solar lamps, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and other relief items in less than four weeks, from its warehouses and suppliers in Pakistan, and from regional emergency stocks.
In regard to Afghanistan, he noted that it is one of the countries with the largest and most critical humanitarian crises around the globe in light of the displacement crisis, local crises, and the fragility of the infrastructure. Residents and farmers suffer from drought, which increases levels of hunger and food shortages, he added, stressing the commissioner’s commitment -despite all these circumstances- to remain present and provide assistance to the internally displaced Afghans – whose number is estimated at about 3.5 million people, in terms of shelter, relief materials, infrastructure, and psychological and social support.
As for the Rohingya refugee crisis, UNHCR Representative to Qatar said that their number is estimated at more than 960,000 people hosted by Bangladesh, where the humanitarian situation of refugees is deteriorating and their needs are increasing in light of the severe funding shortage. He pointed out that the commissioner works with its partners to enhance the livelihoods of refugees and provide assistance, develop skills, and build capacities among refugees to enhance self-reliance, improve livelihood opportunities for them as well as host communities.
HE UNHCR Representative to Qatar Ahmed Mohsen concluded his interview with QNA by addressing the development projects provided by UNHCR for refugees. In cooperation with its partners, the commissioner works on enhancing the livelihoods of refugees and reducing their dependence on aid, in addition to helping them to contribute positively to the development of local economies in the countries they live in, Mohsen noted.
Alongside its partners, UNHCR also works on enabling refugees, especially children and adolescents, to integrate into national education systems in countries of asylum, and to obtain scholarships and opportunities for higher education and vocation training, in order to improve their ability to live independently and build prosperous lives until they return to their countries of origin and participate in reconstruction of their countries – leading them to prosperity, he added.
Source: Qatar News Agency