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UNHCR, Govt working out plan to deal with IDP, refugee issues
The Ministry of Resettlement in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is developing a comprehensive strategic plan to manage resettlement and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and refugees, said the UNHCR Country Representative, Golam Abbas.
The policy would also be useful in managing IDPs and affected persons during disaster situations as well, said Mr Abbas, explaining the importance of such a strategy. Although there are close to 100,000 Sri Lankans living in India as refugees, present returnees still remain at a low level. To date, only 147 have returned to the country this year. Another 61 persons are due to return within the next few days. The Ministry of Resettlement is unable to encourage the return of refugees as they are yet to put together proper programmes to facilitate the returnees.
The biggest challenge returnees face is that they are limited to carry only 20 kg of belongings.“Returnees are coming home with very little of their belongings at present, while having to rid of the assets they accumulated through the years. If the ferry services are resumed it will enable them to bring more than one suitcase,” Mr Abbas said.
The number of returnees will increase, if ferry services resume between Sri Lanka and India, he explained.The UNHCR and the Ministry of Resettlement is currently engaged in discussions between Ministries of Internal Transport and Foreign affairs to recommence the ferry service.
Highlighting that UNHCR facilitates voluntary return and reintegration to their places of origin with assistance through immigration, preparation of documents and monetary aid needed for initial reintegration. Although there are about 121,996 Sri Lankan UNHCR recognised refugees living abroad, the country is yet to have any return and reintegration programme for returning refugees.
“If there are bigger numbers returning to Sri Lanka the country can focus on a proper programme, right now it is too premature,” Mr Abbas said. Since the new government took office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera, has expressed interest in encouraging Sri Lankans living abroad as refugees, especially in India, to return to the country.
“The issue of Pakistani asylum seekers living in the country has also improved over time,” Mr Abbas said. “We informed them that it was not possible to adhere to the conditions they laid down initially. Following discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, things have improved,” he said.
No arrests of asylum seekers has taken place since last October. However, with the change of on arrival visa for Pakistani nationals being halted, the number of asylum seekers coming into the country have reduced dramatically. Over 800 Pakistanis are currently in the country as refugees, while 500 more Pakistani asylum Seekers are awaiting for their cases to be processed.
Highlighting World Refugee Day on June 20, Mr Abbas emphasised the situation of 60,000 million refugees spread worldwide has worsened over the years. One in every 122 persons has been forced to flee their home because of conflict, persecution or violence.