[UNHCR] Countries’ desperate calls for fundings from the EU

Written by Daily Sabah

In the usual episode of debates, UNHRC has once again failed to make decisive steps. The blame game continues as countries push the responsibility of funding.

While more solutions are drafted out, the lack of funding has emerged as a problem. In order for the implementation of the solution, regardless of the establishing of separate entities or providing of quality education, there has to be sufficient funds to support such efforts.

Under the discussions of the UNHCR on the use of funding, the following are the possible purposes:
    - Provide the basic needs of refugees
    - Integration programmes that equip them with the necessary skills to join the workforce, and award     them with a certificate after they have completed the programme, to show their eligibility to access to     more job opportunities

    - Building of infrastructure for permanent physical structure for the refugees
    - Mental help
    - Legal assistance

The council has decided that it would be funding to provide mental help and legal assistance.

Throughout their travel to seek refuge, refugees suffer from huge mental burdens. However, this mental toll is often not addressed by the host countries or communities. Language barrier also poses a need for joint funds to hire translators. Legal assistance renders easier access to a proper reporting system, protecting the rights of the refugees in the occurrence of abuse.

However, the goal of solving the abuse, exploitation and harassment problem amongst refugees would only remain ambitious in the face of realistic factors that limit the ability of UNHRC and countries to carry on with proposed plans. Funding is rife to support the operations for the organisations helping the refugees.

However, countries remain selfish.

Syria selfishly demanded for the fundings to go to the country of origin instead. It has been made clear that throughout the 2-day course of discussions, Syria came with the sole purpose of personal gains and has no intentions to help the refugees, despite being the country of origin. Their demands were also met with condemnation from countries, who stated that the dividing of the funds should be given priority to the hosting countries to improve the situation of the refugees instead of the country of origin.

There has also been consensus to seek funds from the public. This would divide the burden on countries in funding. The longstanding problem of underfunding in UNHCR has been revealed to be critical. Thus, it is clear that first-world countries are not providing sufficient funds.

Needless to say, their affluent economy renders them the financial ability to be able to do so, but their unwillingness and selfish regard for their own personal interest puts the UNHCR in the critical state of underfunding, turning to private funding in desperation.

When questioned about their responsibility, The UNited States of America responds that, “responsibility does not ultimately fall on just first-world countries,” Again, pushing the burden to the obviously incapacitated third-world countries, struggling to even sustain itself.

The need for ‘hard negotiations’.

It is necessary to hold “hard negotiations” with the West. Western countries, such as the USA, are often first-world countries that have the most resources and hence the most power in creating an impact on the refugee crisis. Most refugees, especially those in Africa or the Middle East regions, flee to neighbouring countries, where the citizens are already burdened by lack of resources and political instability. Western countries also have a stake in resolving refugee crises in other countries, as often they make use of the natural resources in the countries that refugees both flee from and take refuge in. There are also Western countries that have contributed to the military conflict in countries that have become large sources of refugees, by sending over their troops to push their political agenda, worsening the refugee crisis.

Liberia added that “hard negotiations are required to hold the West accountable for their actions and hold them responsible in assisting in the resolution of the humanitarian crisis that they have contributed to. This delegate believes that this can be best done through the UN, in a discussion on how to protect the human rights and welfare of all people, especially the refugees.”