Africa Dialogue Series 2019

 

Africa Dialogue Series 2019
Session 4: Collaborating for Greater Impact and Durable Solutions for Forcibly Displaced Persons in Africa 

Carla Mucavi, Director, FAO Liaison Office to the United Nations in New York

 

 

The adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees has been taken very seriously by FAO. FAO believes in the application of a comprehensive response to forced displacement, and is committed to supporting African Union and member states in the search for durable solutions for the forcibly displaced.

In recognition of this and realizing the objectives of the Global Compact, FAO has prioritised the strengthening and operationalisation of partnerships, which bridge the gaps between humanitarian, development and peace efforts, while seeking to promote durable, long-term solutions for both the forcibly displaced and host communities, particularly those in situations of protracted displacement.

As our moderator said, food security and nutrition challenges are factors forcing displacement. Forced displacement also threatens food security, and consequently, the lives and livelihoods of the affected populations. It deprives peoples’ access to land, destroys crops and assets, and can dismantle the social structures and social cohesion of communities.

With a significant proportion of the forcibly displaced in Africa living in already vulnerable rural areas, and the reliance of host and displaced communities in these areas, on the agricultural sector as the main source of income, FAO and its partners recognise the need for multi-sectoral, multi stakeholder responses, which provide comprehensive support to local communities and African governments in the search for durable solutions. Sustainable management and use of natural resources are critical for the peaceful co-existence of displaced and host communities.

Thus, FAO has prioritised working together with the African Union and governments across the continent, who are currently hosting large numbers of the forcibly displaced or managing the return of those previously displaced to enhance the resilience and self-reliance of both host and displaced communities and move towards durable solutions to displacement.

FAO also works with non-state actors and other UN entities such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration.

As examples of FAO cooperation with UNHCR, through a Peace Building Fund project, we are supporting peacebuilding and the sustainable reintegration of returned refugees in Burundi, rebuilding livelihoods and self-reliance of returnees.

In Ethiopia, FAO and UNHCR are conducting a joint assessment of wood fuel supply-demand to address short- and long-term needs and livelihoods of refugees and host communities.

Through these partnerships that pull together expertise of different UN entities, FAO is making a renewed commitment to support African countries to not only manage forced displacement, but seek durable solutions for those who are forcibly displaced.

Thank you very much.