Are NGOs the only way to support IDPs?
As noted in the background guide, there are many factors that can cause people to become internally displaced. The cluster groups of NGOs and other aid organizations work together to provide the IDPs with their basic needs. The Water Project has been a part of these cluster groups to provide immediate assistance to clusters before. In addition, they also work to mitigate water scarcity driven displacement through the building of "wells, dams and other water catchment systems."
While the current cluster approach helps IDPs access basic needs, it doesn't address the larger systemic failures of governments to provide for their people who are displaced nor function as a lasting fix to the systems that cause displacement (war, development, etc).
How can governments better provide for internally displaced people? What are the political implications of NGOs providing basic resources for IDPs instead of governments themselves? Does the current cluster approach effectively address the needs of IDPs?
Find the Water Project's post on this topic here
While the current cluster approach helps IDPs access basic needs, it doesn't address the larger systemic failures of governments to provide for their people who are displaced nor function as a lasting fix to the systems that cause displacement (war, development, etc).
How can governments better provide for internally displaced people? What are the political implications of NGOs providing basic resources for IDPs instead of governments themselves? Does the current cluster approach effectively address the needs of IDPs?
Find the Water Project's post on this topic here
To the delegates of UNHRC,
ReplyDeleteIn order for governments to more effectively assist with IDPs, Venezuela advises creating a National Mental Health Review Board. This National Mental Health Review Board would allow governments to oversee smaller boards and organizations providing mental health treatments to IDPs, and would ensure that all required standards are met in accordance to the National Mental Health Care Act. Individual nation’s mental health care boards are to compile this information to reduce variability and better conduct reponses for treatment on mentally ill IDPs. When NGOs provide basic resources instead of governments themselves, the political consequence results in IDPs recognizing the lack of attention to their basic rights from their own governments. The current cluster approach demonstrated by the Water Project simply assists with accessibility to resources, yet does not effectively address the needs of IDPs as they are temporary.
Thank you,
Venezuela
Fellow delegates,
ReplyDeleteThe delegation of Peru believes that member states of the UNHRC have not taken necessary action to preserve the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and have rather established relationships of high dependency with NGOs when providing IDPs basic necessities such as food, shelter, and water. Peru has consistently been an active and consistent supporter of international law and human rights. Therefore, Peru believes that it is necessary to establish the fundamental human rights of IDPs in domestic and international law. Internally displaced persons should be subject to the same rights and freedoms under law as do other persons in their country.
Through the establishment of the human rights of IDPs, the primary duty and responsibility to provide protection to IDPs will be placed under national authorities, rather than continuing the state of confusion on who has jurisdiction of IDPs. Peru believes an approach of temporary humanitarian aid and local reintegration to change the relationship of dependency upon clusters of NGOs. States should partner with NGOs in providing IDPs aid, rather than disregarding the basic human rights of IDPs.
The current cluster of NGOs who address the issue of internal displacement have not been efficient and sustainable solutions to reintegrating IDPs. Within Peru, environmental, political, and economic issues have caused a growing population of IDPs. Peru faces this issue through investment in education and reintegration which has been proven to be successful in dealing with this issue.
Thank you,
Peru
Greetings Delegates,
ReplyDeleteThe People’s Republic of China would like to commend Peru and Venezuela on their approaches to improving the lives of IDPs across the globe.
Governments can better provide for internally displaced people. However, the People’s Republic of China believes that many times, this can be done indirectly. Through the AIDPS committee of Aid for IDPs, there will be a suggestion that all countries invest in large companies if they provide aid for IDPs as well as jobs. Therefore, if there is a company struggling financially, the country’s government can invest in that company in hopes that it will grow and continue on an upward trajectory. This way, the country will economically be helped since they can choose which companies to help that they think will help increase their financial stability. In addition, this may limit the amount of IDPs due to development. As these companies expand with the help from these investments, they may be more aware of the IDPs they are creating since the investments they get from the government largely rely on the well-being of the IDPs in their area. In addition to providing aid, they can also provide jobs. Of course this will all be on a suggestion basis and not international law. The Delegation of China regularly helps companies that operate overseas as with the One Belt One Road project which is helping expand the influence of the People’s Republic of China. Perhaps this will be beneficial in situations like these as well to provide help for other countries as well.
When IDPs provide basic resources for IDPs instead of governments themselves, this can sometimes be seen as threatening to the country’s government. In certain countries, providing aid is seen as that NGO not believing that that government is capable of providing for their people. Perhaps they aren’t but that could be perceived as a violation of national sovereignty. This could raise hate for that NGO and prompt humanitarian worker attacks. This will be well addressed through this committee’s other topic.
No, this current approach does not effectively address the needs of IDPs. However, during committee the People’s Republic of China will do their absolute best to ensure that the resolutions passed during committee will benefit IDPs well into the future. In addition to the investment program, this committee, AIDPS, issues such as medical care of IDPs and resettlement camps will also be emphasized. The People’s Republic of China completely agrees with Venezuela on their advocacy for mental health aid to IDPs as well as Peru’s push for reintegration and education programs.
If you have any questions or suggestions please comment below!
Thank you,
The People’s Republic of China
Hello delegates!
ReplyDeleteThe delegation of Senegal supports the solutions of the delegation of Venezuela, Peru, and China.
Since 1982, Senegal's government has been involved in the Casamance Conflict caused by the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance(MFDC). This clash between the government and separatists has contributed to the displacement of 24,000 people. Most importantly, clashes between MFDC have been causing displacements since 2009 and hindered durable solutions for long-term IDPs. Attacks by the MFDC primarily target military installations, convous, personnel in an attempt to destabilize the region, and civilians living and traveling the Casamance region. As a result, Senegal, having meager natural resources and per capita income of $500 per year, is in jeopardy of falling prey to the despair of demagoguery unless it can create the conditions to unlock the productivity of its people by creating jobs for the unemployed, improving access to education and health care.
In response, the Senegalese government has attempted to pass legislations, but all peace initiatives have failed. For instance, our President, Abdoulaye Wade, whose election was marked with credible allegation of widespread frays and procedural irregularities, announced a peace proposal, but the MFDC leaders suggested that the proposal was an example of cynical politicking and rejected the peace plan by demanding frank negotiation in a natural setting brokered by a neutral third party as their precondition for working towards peace. Senegal also attempted to defuse the secession rebellion through the Government's decentralization program, but had limited success and believes the reason was in part due to the flaws in elections. Wade has also offered a DDP program which would include investing in five agricultural projects across the region.
In effect, the delegation of Senegal pushes for solutions that directly support the internally displaced. In 2017, Senegal issued a Human Rights Report which has increased the protection of our civilians immensely, thus we hope to append the rights of IDPs to prevent attacks by rebel groups in our nation. We also encourage other UNHRC members to integrate Human Rights Reports into their security system to ensure the security of their civilians. Additionally, Senegal trusts that integrating technology into our countries public spheres will prevent an increase in IDPs by raising awareness about disasters and security breaches or attacks. For instance, Senegal has used media broadcasts, biometric integration, and fingerprint authorization to give civilians a safer and more important role in society while emphasizing awareness of Senegal’s natural disasters and political struggles. Increasing awareness has strengthened response from the Senegalese government towards IDPs.
We appreciate comments! Hope we can discuss more on Friday!