August 1, 2023 (ARTA, Djibouti): The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has convened technical experts from the Office of National Assistance for Refugees and Displaced Persons for a national review workshop on the draft report on the Status of Refugee Management in the IGAD Member States and the draft Policy Framework on Refugee Protection.
The main objective of the two-day workshop is to allow the Republic of Djibouti to review the inception report on the Status Refugee Management in the IGAD region and to contribute to the priority areas for the draft IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection.
Madam Fathia Alwan, Director for Health and Social Development, IGAD, in her opening remarks highlighted that the objective of this workshop aims to collect “valuable contributions from IGAD Member States in order to improve the quality and relevance of the contents of the report on the management of the status and the protection of refugees.
“We wish to support our Member States in developing a pragmatic policy that will promote gender responsive and predictable mechanisms for refugee protection and management across the region, strengthen sharing of experiences and good practices as well as the transfer of technical capacities between the Member States.” The Director added.
Fathia, further emphasized that the IGAD organizes a series of national consultations in each IGAD Member State in preparation for a regional workshop to validate the final report.
The Executive Secretary of ONARS, Mr. Houssein Hassan Darar, expressed his sincere thanks to IGAD for organizing the workshop and took the opportunity to salute the remarkable achievements in the protection and management of refugee status in the Republic of Djibouti.
He also cited successes such as the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework which has been successfully implemented in the Republic of Djibouti.
The workshop mobilizes experts and executives from IGAD as well as officials and technicians from ONARS.
This National consultative workshop of Djibouti is funded by IGAD – Sweden project.
After the official opening of the meeting, experts and technicians from IGAD and ONARS reviewed the provisional report in its smallest details. They took the time to discuss and appreciate the document in light of all aspects of the protection and management of refugee status in Djibouti. .
Feedback and recommendations shared during the Djibouti national review workshop will be used to revise the country chapter on Status of Refugee Management in the IGAD region and inform the priority areas for the IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection.
It’s to be recalled that in March 2017, IGAD convened a Special Heads of State Summit on protection and durable solutions for Somali refugees and the reintegration of returnees in Somalia.
