UNHCR official lauds China's contribution to the solution of refugee problem in Africa

China has made an important contribution to the solution of refugee problem in Africa, assistant representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)'s Kenyan branch office Louise Aubin told Xinhua here Friday in an interview.

Louise Aubin said that China is still a developing country but is a responsible one which has provided much aid to refugees in Africa in terms of financial assistance and medical services.

With regard to the African Union special summit on refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) scheduled for next week in Uganda, Louise Aubin said that "for many years now, the African Union has worked with its partners in the United Nations, especially the UNHCR, to address the refugee and IDP challenge in Africa.

During the past several years many conflicts have been resolved, creating the possibility for many refugee and IDP situations to be successfully resolved with many of the displaced people going back home, she said.

However, Aubin pointed out that the continent is still home to more than 17 million refugees and IDPs. Tragically, a large number of them have been in protracted camp situations spanning several years, and in some cases for decades.

The potential of otherwise willing and able people to contribute to the development of their communities and nations is being wasted. Keeping such a large number of people in limbo also has serious consequences for peace and stability, she said.

"The inability to effectively protect, assist and find timely resolutions to the problems that created these displacement situations is posing a major threat to Africa's progress. In some cases, these IDPs were once returned refugees and, were displaced internally when they could not effectively reintegrate in their areas of return," she said.

The UNHCR official pointed out that IDPs are a particularly vulnerable group. Often they are isolated and reside in insecure and inaccessible areas.

"Frequently, they may continue to suffer the very same abuses that may have caused their flight. Their situation could be further exacerbated when they cannot rely on protection and assistance from their national governments, as the competent authorities may either be unable or unwilling to protect and assist them," she noted.

Aubin suggested that increased attention be paid to the needs of IDPs in general and particularly the most vulnerable among them, including women and children who often form the largest number of both refugees and internally displaced persons.

The UNHCR official also mentioned that the African Union had taken the decision to enact an African Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, and she hoped that the special summit successfully adopt the new Convention.

Source: Xinhua