The
Netherlands, together with the World Bank Group – including the World Bank and
the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – UNICEF, UNHCR, and ILO, today
announced the launch of the PROSPECTS Partnership – an international partnership
programme for improving the hosting and protection of refugees in countries in
their region of origin.
The partnership aims to shift the paradigm from a humanitarian to a development
approach in responding to forced displacement crises. It is grounded in the
consensus of the Global Compact on Refugees that helping refugees and their
host communities thrive, not just survive, will reduce the risk of protracted
stays and lessen refugees’ dependence on humanitarian aid.
The partners involved have worked together over the past 18 months to develop
the vision for the partnership and initiate pilot activities in the Horn of
Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Today, at the first
ever Global Refugee Forum , taking place in Geneva, the
partners are reaffirming their commitment to this groundbreaking transformative
initiatve.
Building on each other’s complementary strengths the PROSPECTS Partnership will
collaborate to:
- foster an enabling environment for socio-economic inclusion;
- improve access to education and protection for vulnerable children on the move; and
- strengthen the resilience of host communities.
The
Netherlands, as the donor to the Partnership, pledges long-term support to
operationalize a development response to forced displacement situations. The World Bank commits to invest in education, livelihoods, private sector
development, social protection, and service delivery, including by supporting
progressive policies for refugees. The International Finance
Corporation
commits to bring private sector solutions to refugees and host communities to
the partnership.
UNICEF
will strengthen national and regional capacities to provide education and child
protection for children on the move. The ILO will work to strengthen inclusive
socio-economic growth and decent work. UNHCR brings to the partnership its
mandated role to lead, coordinate and provide protection, assistance and
solutions for refugees and other displaced persons.
At the Global Refugee Forum, members of PROSPECTS discussed how their
organizations can better harness the skills, talents and knowledge of the more
than millions of refugees and their host communities in the Horn of Africa and
MENA region.