UK aid for refugee host countries
International Development Committee
Closed
Inquiry
Report and Government response published The International Development Committee held an inquiry into UK support for countries which host large numbers of refugees. The inquiry focused on the case studies of Jordan and Lebanon, both of which have hosted large numbers of Palestinian refugees since 1948 and refugees from Syria …
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6
Recommendations
1
Conclusion
1
Report
2
Oral sessions
2
Events
Activity timeline 6 events
20 Oct
2023
2023
26 May
2023
2023
Report published
17 Jan
2023
2023
Oral evidence
17 Jan
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
15 Nov
2022
2022
Oral evidence
15 Nov
2022
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
17 Jan 2023
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UK aid to refugee host countries
H.E Rami Mortada · Embassy of Lebanon in the United Kingdom
Hoda Samra Souaiby · UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Lebanon
Najat El Hamri · MAG (Mines Advisory Group)
Suzanne Takkenberg · Action Against Hunger Lebanon
15 Nov 2022
View on parliament.uk
UK aid for refugee host countries
Amy Schmidt · Norwegian Refugee Council Jordan
Dominik Bartsch · United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
H.E. Manar Dabbas · Kingdom of Jordan
Sabine Abi Aad · ActionAid Arab Region
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee host countries | HC 426 | 26 May 2023 | 7 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee…
Global Refugee Forum presents key opportunity for international action on refugee issues.
The UN’s Global Refugee Forum is taking place in December 2023. This is a key opportunity for the international community to work towards implementing previously agreed initiatives and pledges and to find solutions to the issues that are holding up …
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Government Response
The government accepts the implied recommendation, agreeing the Global Refugee Forum is a key opportunity. It has used its diplomatic network to gather stakeholders and is considering pledges on education, gender-based violence, climate finance, and domestic resettlement, which it will announce in December.
2
Recommendation
Accepted
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee…
Use diplomatic relations to develop effective, measurable refugee pledges for Global Refugee Forum.
Before the Forum, the UK Government should use its diplomatic relations with the Forum co-hosts, Republic of Colombia, Japan, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, France, the Republic of Niger, the Republic of Uganda, the Swiss Confederation, the UNHCR and other …
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Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, confirming it has used its diplomatic network to bring together stakeholders to identify impactful GRF pledges. It is currently considering pledges related to education, gender-based violence, climate finance, and domestic resettlement, which it will announce at the GRF in December.
3
Recommendation
Accepted
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee…
Ensure UK fulfils all commitments under the Global Refugee Compact to maintain credibility.
To maintain international credibility on refugee issues, the UK Government should ensure that the UK has fulfilled its commitments under the Global Refugee Compact.
Government Response
The government agrees it should fulfil its commitments under the Global Refugee Compact and states it is already doing so, providing publicly available data and responding to OECD surveys that enable UNHCR to monitor its progress.
4
Recommendation
Accepted
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee…
Advocate for vulnerability-based assistance and trauma-sensitive approaches in all future refugee responses.
The UK Government has adopted an approach in Jordan and Lebanon that incorporates the needs of the host community in its refugee response programming. It should use the Global Refugee Forum to advocate humanitarian response plans that distribute assistance according …
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Government Response
The government agrees to use the Global Refugee Forum to advocate for humanitarian response plans that distribute assistance based on vulnerability, not immigration status. It also confirms its Humanitarian Framework already prioritises needs-based assistance and incorporates trauma-sensitive approaches, citing its work in Jordan as an example.
5
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee…
Push for Grand Bargain commitments, supporting local responders and avoiding unsuitable approaches.
The UK Government should use the Forum to push for action on the commitments set out in the Grand Bargain which was agreed at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 to: increase and support multi-year investment in the institutional capacities …
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Government Response
The government agrees to use the GRF to push for Grand Bargain commitments, stating that its existing Humanitarian Framework outlines objectives to drive reforms, prioritise assistance, protect people, and prevent shocks. It remains committed to localisation and supporting local leadership, as outlined in the HF.
6
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee…
Advocate for global strategy supporting host countries and integrating refugees into national systems.
The UK Government should use the Forum to discuss with the international community what lessons have been learned from current protracted crises. It should advocate for a global strategy that can be extended over the short-, medium- and long- term, …
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Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating it will use the GRF to advocate for support for refugee host countries and address crisis causes, but will work within the existing Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) framework rather than creating a new global strategy. It commits to galvanise continued support for the GCR's implementation.
7
Recommendation
Accepted
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee…
Make facilitating safe and dignified refugee return a strategic UK foreign policy objective
UNHCR surveys of refugee intentions indicate that most refugees wish to return to their country of origin, when it is safe to do so. Displacement crises will only be solved once communities have a safe and dignified route to return. …
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Government Response
The government agrees that facilitating safe and dignified returns for refugees must be a strategic objective of both UK development and foreign policy. It confirms it is already working to achieve this through ODA spend, diplomatic efforts, and engagement with UN and multilateral platforms.