Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Eighth Report - UK aid for refugee host countries
International Development Committee
HC 426
Published 26 May 2023
Recommendations
2
Accepted
Para 43
Use diplomatic relations to develop effective, measurable refugee pledges for Global Refugee Forum.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Accepted
Para 44
Ensure UK fulfils all commitments under the Global Refugee Compact to maintain credibility.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Accepted
Para 45
Advocate for vulnerability-based assistance and trauma-sensitive approaches in all future refugee responses.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Acknowledged
Para 46
Push for Grand Bargain commitments, supporting local responders and avoiding unsuitable approaches.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Accepted in Part
Para 47
Advocate for global strategy supporting host countries and integrating refugees into national systems.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Accepted
Make facilitating safe and dignified refugee return a strategic UK foreign policy objective
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
Conclusions (1)
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 43
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 progress. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Ministers are currently …
Government Response Summary
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.