Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
2
Table of Contents
Letter from the Under-Secretary-General .......................................................... 3
Letter from the Chair .............................................................................................. 4
Topic 1: The Syrian Refugee Crisis ..................................................................... 6
International Regional Framework .................................................................. 6
Role of International Systems ............................................................................ 7
Urban Settings ..................................................................................................... 9
Camp Settings ..................................................................................................10
Topic 2: The Yemeni Refugee Crisis ................................................................ 13
Regional Political Setting ...............................................................................13
Key Statistics ....................................................................................................14
Country list……………………………………………………………………………..16
Bibliography ...................................................................................................... 17
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
3
Welcome to MariMUN 2019!
Dear Delegates,
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to MariMUN 2019’s Special Session of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees! My partner in crime, the ever-
wonderful Aria Khiabani, and I have worked tirelessly over the past months to bring
you all a broad and enriching set of General and Specialized agencies, and we
are looking forward to seeing the clever policy solutions you implement to solve
the numerous challenges you’ll be facing over the weekend.
We are especially thrilled with the incredible passion and dedication that
your Chairs and Vice-Chairs have deployed over the course of preparing this
committee. We hope this feverish excitement will be contagious, and that you,
delegates, will be even more enthusiastic and creative in all your debating,
resolution paper-writing, and award-winning endeavors.
Speaking of which, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the
importance of collaboration and diplomacy at MariMUN. Cooperating with fellow
delegates to achieve innovative policy solutions, no matter what your gavel-
collecting intentions may be, should be the main aim of your weekend. In the end,
it’s this diplomatic action that will leave you most enriched by your time spent at
Marianopolis over the weekend.
Oh, and I almost forgot, have some fun! The conference, in my experience,
goes by much too quickly.
Warm Wishes and Happy MariMUNing!
Guillaume Bouchard
Under-Secretary-General, General Assemblies and Specialized Agencies
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4
Letter from the Chair
It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you all to MariMUN’s 2019
edition. My name is Karin Kassabian, and I will be your chair for the weekend
throughout this conference. Please allow to begin with an introduction of our
amazing Vice-Chairs.
Darya Jabbari is a first year honors social science student at Marianopolis
College. She wholeheartedly believes that MUN is an excellent opportunity to
learn more about complex current and historical global issues and develop
fundamental skills such as team building, public speaking, and debating. When
she isn’t writing a position paper, Darya is either sipping a big cup of milk tea,
reading novels and poems, or volunteering at a one of Montreal’s many refugee
centers. She is extremely excited to meet all of you and hear your policy solutions!
Annanaya Malik is a second year commerce student at Marianopolis
College. She first started MUN in grade 11 when she was forced to do it for marks.
Luckily, she loved it. Since then, she has focused her interest on GA’s. She enjoys
food, Netflixing, and long walks on the beach. Safe to say she has a stellar sense
of humour too!
As for myself, Hailing from Aleppo, Syria, and having a plethora of friends
and family who are refugees themselves, this committee hits very close to home. I
am excited to listen to your amazing speeches and to see the conclusions you
reach. I graduated from Marianopolis College last year, studying Law, Society,
and Justice in the Social Science program. During my time at Marianopolis, I was
a staff member at MariMUN, as well as a member of the secretariat, serving as the
USG of ceremonies and Events. Currently, I am a student at McGill University,
Majoring in Anthropology and Political Science. Since the beginning of this school
year, I have been competing on the collegiate Model UN circuit as a member of
the McGill Delegation team. I also self-claim as a GA specialist.
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
5
The following background guide is an introduction to the topics we will be
exploring in this panel of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees. I
urge everyone to use this background guide as a starting point for your research.
All delegates should keep in mind that Model UN is more than about
roleplaying or taking on a character. It is about diplomacy, international relations,
and above all, it allows students that are full of potential to develop critical skills
that will enable them to excel in this committee, and later in life. I encourage all
of you to approach your time at MariMUN with an open mind and an eagerness
to learn and to embrace the challenges that will approach you. Thank you, and
see you all soon!
Best Regards,
Karin Kassabian
Chair
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
6
Topic A: The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Since the beginning of the Syrian War in 2011, almost 6 million people have
fled their war-torn country. Another 6 million have been internally displaced, 1 half
of which are in areas for which they are unaccounted, and the rest have basic
unmet needs.2 The conflict, sparked by the Assad regime’s violent backlash to
2011’s Arab Spring protests, has resulted in one of the biggest, most devastating
refugee crises since the Second World War.3 Although internally displaced persons
are not, strictly speaking, under the mandate of the UNHCR,4 they’ve entered the
scope of its work recently. When addressing the protection, security, and health
needs of internally displaced persons,5 the UNHCR faces resistance, as they
remain under a state’s jurisdiction.6 The current involvement of UNHCR regarding
the Syrian refugee crisis has been the agency’s largest operation to date.7
The Syrian refugee crisis has grave ramifications in the region, given that the
more significant part of three million people have crossed Syria’s borders and are
now scattered throughout varying neighboring countries.8 The situation has
become a burden for most of the neighboring countries in the middle east, and
closer countries in Eastern Europe, as hosting Syrian refugees has undoubtedly
overstretched their infrastructures and budgets. The living conditions of Syrian
refugees are often poor, as 16% of them live in camps, while the remaining 84%
live primarily in urban areas, where they are more vulnerable to arrest, exploitation
and do not have access to or resources for food and housing.9 As the UN’s
Secretary-General, António Guterres, noted: “Syria has become the great tragedy
of this century – a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and
displacement unparalleled in recent history.”10
International and Regional Framework
Although the Syrian refugee crisis is a recent development, there have
been global and regional legal instruments framing the issues surrounding the crisis
1 UNHCR, Refugee total hits 3 million as Syrians flee growing insecurity and worsening conditions, 2014; BBC,
Arab Uprising: Country by country – Syria. 2 Australia for UNHCR, Syria Crisis Appeal; United Nations Relief and Works Agency, Palestine Refugees. 3 Ibid. 4 UNHCR, Internally Displaced People. 5 UNHCR, The 1951 Refugee Convention. 6 UNHCR, Refugee total hits 3 million as Syrians flee growing insecurity and worsening conditions. 7 UNHCR, UNHCR and host countries seek more help to cope with Syria refugee crisis. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid. 10 UNHCR, The 1951 Refugee Convention
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
7
for decades. Since its adoption in 1951,11 the Convention relating to the Status of
Refugees has been the main framework for such matters. It defines a “refugee” as
anyone who: “Owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of
race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political
opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such
fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not
having the nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual
residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to
return to it.” 12
Syrian refugees fall under this definition, as they have fled from the civil war
that worsened over the past several years. 13Moreover, the lack of resolution to this
conflict makes them unable or unwilling to return to their country.14 Whereas the
Convention applies to Syrian refugees, it should be noted that Iraq, Jordan, and
Lebanon are not parties to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
(1951).15
The definition for refugees doesn’t, however, apply to Internally Displaced
Persons.16 IDPs do, as civilians, have protected rights under international
humanitarian law, namely the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional
Protocols of 1977. 17 However, to clarify several aspects of IDPs’ status and to draw
attention to their particular needs, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement
(1998) were drafted as a way to locate IDPs at the intersection between
international humanitarian law, human rights law, and refugee law.18
On a regional level, the referential document about this topic is the revised
Arab Charter on Human Rights, adopted in 2004 by the members of the League
of Arab States. To address the criticism it faced and to improve the
implementation of the Charter, its 45th article created the Arab Human Rights
Committee.19 The Charter promotes individual, civil, political, economic, social
and cultural rights, as well as rules of justice. Although the Charter is applicable in
the region about this topic, there still lacks an enforcement and accountability
mechanism.20
Role of the International System
11 UN General Assembly, Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (A/RES/409 (V)), 1951 12 UN Office of Legal Affairs, Chapter V, Refugees and Stateless Persons. 13 Ibid. 14 UN Economic and Social Council, Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (E/CN.4/1998/53/Add.2). 15 UNHCR, The 1951 Refugee Convention. 16 UNHCR, Syrian Arab Republic. 17 Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan & Syria Regional Response Plan, Common Planning Framework. 18 Al-Midani & Cabanettes, Arab Charter on Human Rights. 19 Ibid. 20 UNHCR, UNHCR - A Year in Review 2013.
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
8
Within the United Nations system, the UNHCR is the lead agency responding
to the Syrian refugee crisis. Initially present in Syria to monitor the arrival of Iraqi
refugees in the 1990s, since 2012, the UNHCR has taken on a leading role in
assisting Syrian IDPs. 21Their operations in the field cover non-food items (NFIs),
shelter, health, cash assistance, and protection among other forms of aid. The
agency works with international actors under an inter-agency framework to
strengthen the coordination of humanitarian emergency assistance.22
The Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP), 23comprised of UN agencies, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assist 9.3 million people
in need with a needed budget of $2.27 billion.24 They oversee 112 projects to
complete five main objectives. More precisely, they work towards the protection
of civilians, the provision of emergency services and relief supplies, and the
restoration of livelihoods. Within this framework, the UNHCR focuses mainly on
camp management.25 SHARP assists roughly three million people of concern.
A few years ago, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 68/180 on
“Protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons” and Resolution
68/182, relating to the “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic.”26
Which stated that the rising numbers of refugees concerned the General Assembly
due to the political issues in Syria, and further urged the UNHCR and other
agencies to support Syrian refugees and the host countries.27 In 2014, the UN
Security Council adopted resolution 2139 on the Middle East, in which it urged “all
Member States, based on burden-sharing principles, to support the neighboring
host countries to enable them to respond to the growing humanitarian needs [of
Syrian refugees and IDPs].”28 This resolution is of utmost significance, as it
represented a necessary step to support civilians and host countries, as well as a
renewed commitment from the Security Council.29
In addition to the UN system and its agencies, international and national
NGOs have played an essential role in the Syrian refugee crisis. With an extensive
grass-roots network and knowledge of local communities, they represent a
considerable partner for UNHCR. Among these organizations, the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has unlocked a budget of $157 million to
provide humanitarian assistance for Syrian IDPs and refugees.30 The Norwegian
21 Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan & Syria Regional Response Plan, Common Planning Framework. 22 OCHA, Humanitarian Response.
23 UN OCHA, 2014 Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP). 24 Ibid. 25 UN General Assembly, Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic (A/RES/68/182). 26 UN Security Council, Middle East (S/RES/2139 (2014)) [Resolution]. 27 UNHCR, Education Regional Dashboard June 2017. 28 UNHCR, UNHCR and host countries seek more help to cope with Syria refugee crisis. 29 Ibid. 30 Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan & Syria Regional Response Plan, Common Planning Framework.
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
9
Refugee Council (NRC), on the other hand, focuses its resources mostly on shelter,
education, sanitation, and hygiene. In 2013, the NRC constructed or rehabilitated
hundreds of housing units and numerous classrooms, as well as restrooms and
water points. Other NGOs who partnered with the UNHCR to provide aid to
refugees include Save the Children, Oxfam, Relief International, and the
International Rescue Committee.
Urban Settings
Refugees living in urban areas have better opportunities than those living in
camps, as they can retain a certain degree of autonomy and earn money on
their own. To better address their needs, the UNHCR published their “Policy on
refugee protection and solutions in urban areas” in 2009, laying down a new, two-
pronged approach to the issue.31 First, “it is to make certain that the cities are
recognized as legitimate locations for refugees to reside and exercise the rights
which they are entitled to,” and second, “to maximize the protection of the
available space to urban refugees and the humanitarian organizations that
support them.” Through the Syrian Regional Response Plan, UNHCR assists refugees
living in urban areas with a wide variety of measures, including assistance in the
areas of education, livelihoods, and shelter.32
Education
As of a few years ago, hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugee children
were enrolled in primary or secondary school, comprising over 50% of the planned
target of the RRP. Despite improvements made on the education front, many
challenges remain and differ depending on the host country.33 In Egypt, some
difficulties stem from the different dialect of the Egyptian school system to which
Syrian children struggle to adapt. Moreover, some parents of school-aged Syrians
are reluctant to enroll them, for fear of sexual and other harassment or
discrimination both in school and on their way to school. Jordan has the highest
number of Syrian refugee children enrolled in formal education, with 120,555 of
them attending school.34 As a result, the capacity and space of Jordan’s school
system is overstretched, which constitutes a significant obstacle to the education
of both Syrian and Jordan children. Among the policies employed to face these
challenges, the “No Lost Generation” strategy implemented by the UNICEF has
three main objectives: increasing learned skill and abilities, providing an
environment in which they are protected and broadening opportunities for
children and adolescents. In this regard, issues that will need to be addressed by
delegates include augmenting the capacity of the school system in host countries,
31 UNHCR, Syria Regional Refugee Response. 32 Syria: Unprecedented humanitarian needs entail record budget, International Committee of the Red Cross. 33 UNHCR, UNHCR policy on refugee protection and solutions in urban areas. 34 UNHCR, Urban Refugees.
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
10
implementing strategies to help Syrian children adapting to different dialects, and
providing more protection from sexual discrimination.
Livelihoods
In order to provide for themselves, Syrian refugees need to have access to
their host country’s labor market. Unfortunately, in some cases, their refugee status
makes it more difficult for them to find employment.35 This issue is particularly real
in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon since none of them are parties to the Convention
relating to the status of Refugees (1951). In Iraq, for example, Syrian refugees can
work legally so far as they have a residency permit, but acquiring such a
document can prove challenging.36 Indeed, residency permits are not provided
anymore in non-camp settings since April 2013. While the RRP has led several
initiatives for employment assistance or business development projects, other
challenges need to be addressed with attention paid to long-term solutions. These
additional areas of concern include “the remoteness of locations where refugees
reside, language skills, tools, capita and increasing intolerance towards Syrian
refugees.”
Shelter
Syrian refugees living outside of camps have several options when it comes
to housing. Some of them choose to rent homes or apartments, but this raises
difficulties on an economic level, as this option necessitates the payment of a
monthly fee. To provide refugees with shelter assistance, the UNHCR implemented
several strategies, including cash for rent, shelter kits, and weatherproofing. When
they cannot afford this type of housing, Syrian refugees have to resort to living in
collective centers or unfinished buildings, where they may sacrifice their privacy
and safety. This situation is particularly alarming in Lebanon, as this hosting country
does not have any camps, and thus all Syrian refugees are burdened with the
responsibility of finding appropriate shelter.37 Aware of the particularity of this
situation, the RRP has implemented a strategy comprised of three objectives:
“providing safe and dignified emergency shelter to newly arriving households;
improving substandard shelters and maintaining the shelter conditions of
vulnerable households; and, upgrading properties belonging to Lebanese host
families, thus enabling them to benefit from structural improvements in the long-
term.”38
Camp Settings
35 UNHCR, Livelihoods Regional Dashboard June 2017. 36 United Nations, Office of Legal Affairs, Chapter V, Refugees and Stateless Persons. 37 UNHCR, Shelter Regional Dashboard February 2016. 38 UNHCR, 2014 Syria Regional response Plan. Strategic Overview, 2014.
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
11
16 percent of the three million Syrian refugees living in neighboring countries
live in camps.39 The proportion of refugees living in camps versus those living
elsewhere, however, differs among host countries, as people have fled to them
out of need, location, services, and familiarity. Some of the most basic and most
common challenges faced by Syrians living in refugee camps include nutritional
health, water, and hygiene, and sanitation.
Health and Nutrition
The problems refugees usually encounter regarding their health and
nutrition in camps include communicable and non- infectious diseases, low
immunization coverage, malnutrition, mental illness, and a lack of access to
reproductive health care. The overall current situation is different depending on
the country hosting the camp, as primary health care is granted by nations’
respective healthcare systems. Therefore, challenges and priorities vary across
nations.40 In Iraq, for example, limitations in financial and human resources are the
most significant factor influencing refugee’s health. Beyond individual differences,
all host nations need to “improve equitable access, quality, and coverage to
comprehensive primary health care for all Syrian Refugees” and “support the
capacity of the national health care system to provide both nutritional and health
services.”
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
The challenges met with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) stem from
pre-existing problems in host countries. These shortcomings may have adverse
effects on various sectors such as livestock and food production with the potential
of ultimately decreasing informal employment in the abovementioned sectors.41
In Jordanian camps, for example, refugees have managed to face tough
challenges which arose from an influx in water-demanding devices, and the cost
of water transportation and filtration overall. In Iraqi as well as other Middle Eastern
camps, some of the measures undertaken to improve WASH are implemented
through community mobilization, which “facilitate[s] greater ownership of
resources.”42
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a threat shared by both
refugees and IDPs and is, therefore, an issue of utmost importance to the UNHCR,
as illustrated in the agency’s publication, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
against Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons – Guidelines for
39 Ibid. 40 UNICEF, No Lost Generation – Strategic Overview. 41 Norwegian Refugee Council, A Terrible Milestone. 42 Ibid.
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
12
Prevention and Response.”43 In the document mentioned above, the agency
gives the following definition for sexual and gender-based violence: “violations of
fundamental human rights that perpetuate sex-stereotyped roles that deny
human dignity and the self-determination of the individual and hamper human
development,” and “physical, sexual and psychological harm that reinforces
female subordination and perpetuates male power and control.”44 SHARP has
undertaken several activities to respond to these types of crimes in Syria, which
includes, but is not limited to, raising awareness for the cause, psychosocial
support, cash assistance, legal advisement, and emergency medical care.45
Challenges to these programs include societal norms which condone particular
sexual and gender-based violence as well as women’s resulting lack of access to
this program’s services. The forced early marriage of young girls, which eventually
leads to a recrudescence of a specific form of SGBV, is also at play in these
families. 46 While Syria’s refugee crisis has exacerbated the risks of SGBV, it also
provides certain opportunities, as “displacement can enable women to take on
new roles and instigate positive change.”
Conclusion
Since 2011, millions of displaced Syrians have faced the challenges of
national or international relocation and rely on the UNHCR. With political tensions
still boiling to this day, the number of refugees continues to grow, causing a rise in
the agency’s demand. More than an internal issue, the entire area, as well as the
rest of the world, are affected by the Syrian refugee crisis as the strain on resources
is felt in host countries. Delegates should attempt to address a variety of issues to
improve the living conditions of Syrian refugees living both in urban and camp
settings and to provide innovative solutions to the challenges these people are
facing. Delegates aren’t, however, tasked with finding a political solution to the
crisis’ root cause.
Questions to Consider In order to attempt to improve the living conditions of Syrian refugees, the
following questions should be kept in mind by the delegates in the committee:
• How can UNHCR facilitate access to their services for refugees living in
urban areas?
• What further partnerships can the UNHCR build with host countries to
alleviate their burden?
• What socioeconomic and cultural barriers would inhibit your country from
making the refugee situation a health priority?
• What should be the responsibility of countries who host refugees?
43 Interaction, 16 projects in Syrian Arab Republic. 44 Ibid. 45 UN OCHA, 2014 Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP). 46 UNHCR, UNHCR policy on refugee protection and solutions in camp areas.
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
13
• Should all neighbouring countries accept displaced persons?
• How does your country handle the situation of Syrian refugees attempting
to seek asylum in your territory?
• Do you think permanent dislocation should be an option for refugees who
have already settled in other countries?
• What can we do to help make a difference for refugees in camps?
• What can your country do to go against xenophobia?
Topic B: The Yemeni Refugee Situation
Yemen is currently at the centre of one of the biggest humanitarian crises
the world had ever seen. With more than 3 million people being forced to flee their
country, Yemen supplies one of the largest amounts of refugees for the world.
Famine has taken over the country due to the war and there are over 15 million
people on the brink of starvation. Delegates are tasked with aiding refugees
according to their background and the region they are being displaced to. Many
of these people move across the world with no money in hopes of a better place
to call home but, unfortunately, are not given the resources they need to survive
and thrive. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees would like to
analyze and interpret Yemen’s refugee situation and discuss the case
accordingly.
Regional Political Setting
An extremely vulnerable country for several years now, Yemen faced a
weak governance, underdevelopment, chronic instability and unemployment for
years even before the current conflict which is causing an important load of
population displacement. The situation has deteriorated considerable since late
2014, when an armed group, the Houthis, moved into the capital city of Yemen,
Sana’a, and took control of the government, due to the struggles of the country’s
president, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, to remedy his country’s challenges. As a
result, on February 20, 2015, the relatively new president, Hadi, put on a woman’s
niqab and slipped out the back door of his official residence in an attempt to flee
his country, where he was held captive by the Houthi rebels. While hiding in Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, Hadi called on Saudi Arabia to intervene in Yemen’s civil war, a
decision that only resulted in the heightening of the conflict and displacement of
millions of Yemenis. Indeed, due to the Saudi-led coalition of Arab states’
campaign of air strikes against Houthi targets that rapidly became a siege of the
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
14
entire country, Yemen has turned into one of the worst humanitarian crises of
modern times.47
As is the case with many refugees, Yemeni displaced persons are mostly
unwelcome in their host countries. Thus a vast majority of them have no choice
but to flee to refugee camps near their own country where they end up facing
hunger, relying very limited amount of humanitarian aid and living in extremely
substandard conditions. Living in those conditions with about the equivalent
amount of 2.8$ per month to survive, many refugees would rather return to the war
to at least feel at home. Furthermore, for the Yemenis that are seeking asylum
outside of their neighbouring countries, options are very limited. Indeed, due to
the coverage of the Yemeni War and its crisis by mass media sources and their
close alliance with Saudi Arabia, many countries don't accommodate refugees
from Yemen. The very limited number of countries that do accept to give shelter
to these refugees still don’t treat them with respect. For example, since Jeju
seemed like a gateway to finding work and education in Seoul to many, hundreds
of Yemeni refugee left Malaysia only to be faced with distasteful attitudes from
Jeju’s population, resulting in the Yemeni refugees living a miserable life as they
have been disabled from reaching mainland South Korea and returning to
Malaysia isn't an option for them anymore since it proves to be too much of an
expense. (Al Jazeera) (Center, O.) (Orkaby, A.)
Statistics from the UNHCR
There are more than 15 million people, or 53 percent of Yemen's population,
on the brink of starvation as access to food diminishes every day across the
country. In 2017, Yemen experienced the largest cholera epidemic in the world.
Deteriorating conditions increase the spread of preventable disease. Around 1.1
million people were diagnosed with cholera. As of early 2016, there were 2,430,178
internally displaced persons in Yemen (roughly 1 in 10 people.) Around 21.2 million
people (82% of the population) require some form of humanitarian or protection
assistance. Around 14 million Yemenis do not have sufficient access to healthcare
services. At least 7.6 million people are food insecure in Yemen. Over 1,170 schools
in Yemen are not unfit for use due to conflict-related damage, presence of
internally displaced people, or occupation by armed groups. (UNHCR)
The crisis has been going on in Yemen for a long time and the suffering of the
refugees can be seen clearly. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
47 https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/yemen/2017-03-21/seeking-accountability-yemen
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
15
is tasked with the protection of the refugees, forcibly displaced communities and
stateless peoples created by this crisis.
Questions to Consider
• Is it equally everyone’s responsibility to help Yemeni refugees?
• How do we avoid cover ups by mass media regarding Yemen’s situation?
• How can we raise awareness to people around the globe about the
Yemen crisis?
• Which countries are involved directly and indirectly in this crisis?
• How can we hold the involved countries accountable?
Country List
The following countries will be represented in MariMUN 2019’s UNHCR committee.
1. Syria
2. Lebanon
3. Turkey
4. Jordan
5. Iran
6. Iraq
7. Saudi Arabia
8. Libya
9. Egypt
10. Germany
11. Canada
12. United States
13. Russia
14. China
15. France
16. UK
17. Armenia
18. Greece
19. Austria
20. Sweden
21. Cyprus
22. India
23. Sudan
24. Ethiopia
25. Bangladesh
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
16
26. Pakistan
27. Uganda
28. Australia
29. Albania
30. Finland
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
17
Bibliography
Al Jazeera. (2018) Key facts about the war in Yemen. [online] Yemen News. Available at:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/key-facts-war-yemen-160607112342462.html [Accessed
18 Jan. 2019].
Al-Midani, M. & M Cabanettes. (2006). Arab Charter on Human Rights. Boston University
International Law Journal, 24 (2): 147-164. Retrieved from:
http://www.acihl.org/res/Arab_Charter_on_Human_Rights_2004.pdf
Australia for UNHCR. (n.d.). Syria Crisis Appeal Retrieved from:
http://www.unrefugees.org.au/emergencies/current-emergencies/syria-crisis-urgent-
appeal#overview
Center, O. (2018). Refugee Crisis: Yemen - Open Cultural Center. [online] Open Cultural Center.
Available at: https://openculturalcenter.org/refugee-crisis-yemen/ [Accessed 18 Jan. 2019].
International Committee of the Red Cross. Syria: Unprecedented humanitarian needs entail record
budget. Retrieved from: https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/news-release/2014/05-08-
syria- budget-extension.htm
Norwegian Refugee Council. The Consequences of Limited Legal Status for Syrian Refugees in
Lebanon. Retrieved from:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/NRC%20Consequences%20of%20Limited%20L
egal%20Statu s%20for%20Syrian%20Refugees%20in%20Lebanon%20April%202014.pdf
Norwegian Refugee Council. (A Terrible Milestone. Retrieved from:
http://www.nrc.no/?aid=9147821
Orkaby, A. (2017). Yemen’s Humanitarian Nightmare. [online] Foreign Affairs. Available at:
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/yemen/2017-10-16/yemens-humanitarian-nightmare
[Accessed 19 Jan. 2019].
Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan & Syria Regional Response Plan. Common Planning
Framework. Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/media-rrp6/planning.pdf
The Swiss Human Rights Portal. (n.d.). Arab Charter on Human Rights [Website]. Retrieved from:
http://www.humanrights.ch/en/standards/other-regions-instruments/arab-charter-on-human-
rights/
United Nations Children’s Fund. No Lost Generation – Strategic Overview. Retrieved from:
http://www.unicef.org/appeals/files/No_Lost_Generation_Strategic_Overview__January_2014.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Policy on Refugee Women. Retrieved from:
http://www.unhcr.org/3ba6186810.html
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against
Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displace Persons – Guidelines for Prevention and Response.
Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/3f696bcc4.html
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. UNHCR policy on refugee protection and solutions
in urban areas. Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/4ab356ab6.pdf
Marianopolis College Model United Nations 2019 | February 9-10 2019
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
18
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. A Year in Review 2017 [Report]. Retrieved from:
http://www.unhcr.org/52eb7a7a9.html
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Global Report 2017. Retrieved from:
http://www.unhcr.org/539809f90.html
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Syria Regional Response Plan. Strategic Overview.
Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/syriarrp6/docs/Syria-rrp6-full-report.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2014). Education Regional Dashboard Retrieved
from:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/EducationRegionalDashboardJune2014.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Global Appeal 2014-2015. Retrieved from:
http://www.unhcr.org/528a0a2d15.html
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Health Regional Dashboard Retrieved from:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/HealthRegionalDashboardJune2014.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Livelihoods Regional Dashboard Retrieved from:
http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/download.php?id=6671
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Shelter Regional Dashboard Retrieved from:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ShelterRegionalDashboardFeb2014.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Wash Regional Dashboard. Retrieved from:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/WashRegionalDashboardJune2014.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (n.d.). Internally Displaced People [Website].
Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c146.html
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (n.d.). Syria Regional Refugee Response [Website].
Retrieved from: http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Syrian Arab Republic
Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP). Retrieved from:
https://syria.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/Syria_Humanitarian_Assistance
_Response_Pla n_2014_131215_0.pdf
United Nations, General Assembly, Fifth session. (1951). Convention Relating to the Status of
Refugees (A/RES/409 (V)). Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/3b66c2aa10.html
United Nations, General Assembly, Twenty-first session. (1967). Protocol Relating to the Status of
Refugees (A/RES/21/2198). Retrieved from: http://www.unhcr.org/3b66c2aa10.html
UNHCR. (2018) Refugee Crisis in Yemen: Aid, Statistics and News [online] USA for UNHCR. Available
at: https://www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/yemen/. [Accessed 19 Jan. 2019].
UNHCR. (2018) War turns Yemen into humanitarian catastrophe. USA for UNHCR. [online] Available
at: https://www.unrefugees.org/news/what-is-happening-in-yemen-update-from-unhcr-
representative/. [Accessed 18 Jan. 2019].