Considering that most refugees have been in the country for well over 20 years, the main objective of UNHCR in Djibouti for the next three years is to ensure the shifting of its operation from the care and maintenance to the durable solutions programme. A priority will be given to the socio-economic integration of refugees by promoting self-reliance and improving livelihoods. The Office’s Protection Strategy will mainly retain the relevant outputs which would help achieving the overall objective of refugee insertion in the host community while prospecting the voluntary repatriation and resettlement options. UNHCR Djibouti will focus its Protection Strategy and solutions in the following areas : • Advocacy for a national refugee law : Currently there is an ordinance which covers the refugees in Djibouti, however there is no national law on refugees. UNHCR will continue its efforts to work with the national authorities to design and pass a national refugee law. The law will include among others the rights of refugees to employment as well as ensure the freedom of movement within Djibouti. • Access to the territory and Strengthening of the National Eligibility Commission (NEC) : UNHCR will continue advocacy with the relevant authorities to ensure access to territory for asylum seekers and the regular functioning of the NEC as well as the establishment of appeal mechanism. • Issuance of birth certificates through the late birth registration procedure : Advocate for the establishment of mechanism for issuing late birth certificates to those who do not meet the age requirement. • Ratification of the 1954 and 1961 Conventions on Statelessness: Advocacy will continue with the relevant authorities in this regard. • Naturalization process : UNHCR will continue its lobby towards the Djiboutian government to consider the possibility of legal local integration for (part of) the refugee population by naturalizing (part of) the refugees, most especially those living in mixed marriage. • Strengthening national institutions : UNHCR will advocate for refugees to be included in the national development plans as well as in the activities of national institutions. In this respect enhancing capacity building of national institution will be also a priority. • Working with development partners : UNHCR will not only work with the government and national institutions, but also with our sister agencies and other developmental partners to ensure refugees are included in their programs. • Livelihood activities : UNHCR will increase its work on livelihoods in the coming years. An assessment regarding livelihoods and self-reliance in Ali-Addeh and Holl-Holl camps has showed that 50% to 60% of PoC are very poor, 20% to 25% are poor, 10% to 15% are middle class and 5% to 10% are rich. Thus, UNHCR will focus on above categories by improving their economic conditions as well as developing available livelihood opportunities. • Education : UNHCR will sensitize the refugees in order for them to accept a Djiboutian curriculum, which would be based on the French language. UNHCR will continue to work with the government of Djibouti to ensure that this transition of curriculum will be recognized by the government of Djibouti, as well as accepted by the refugee community. • Voluntary repatriation and resettlement: UNHCR will continue the prospect the feasibility of voluntary repatriation for refugees from Somaliland, Puntland and Ethiopia. To this end, it will organize cross border meetings and “go and see” visits to allow concerned refugees to make an informed decision. The resettlement will be used as a protection tool for refugees with specific needs who will be identified on case by case basis.
