The two core strategic objectives, which underpin UNHCR’s multi-year, multi-partner strategy for Thailand, are a) the voluntary return for Myanmar refugees residing in nine temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border and b) the strengthening of partnerships with the Royal Thai Government (RTG), UN agencies and donors to address environmental rehabilitation, progressive camp de-commissioning and closure, and local host community needs and rehabilitation projects. Core mandate UNHCR protection activities in the camps will continue in parallel to the above objectives.
UNHCR protection and assistance in the facilitated phase of return (and possibly the promoted phase) will include a multi-purpose cash grant for transport and also covering the reintegration and non-food item components paid on behalf of UNHCR Myanmar, in-kind transport for vulnerable, pre-departure medical check-up, mine risk education, mosquito nets and hygiene kits for returnee women. In addition, WFP is expected to provide three months of food assistance (cash-based) upon departure.
The UNPAF Thailand 2017-2021 and the National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) of the RTG will be used as frameworks to mobilize partners and donors for projects on the Thai-Myanmar border and ex-refugee host areas. UNHCR will engage development and environment agencies (UNDP, UNEP, etc.) that are not present at the moment in refugee hosting areas on the border between Thailand and Myanmar on socio-economic projects in host communities.
In parallel to these efforts, in 2017, core protection concerns will continue to drive UNHCR’s refugee protection strategy and the development of comprehensive solutions along the Thai-Myanmar border. Protection priorities will include enhancing child protection, ensuring access to justice, preventing and addressing domestic violence and other forms of SGBV, and providing additional care and attention to the most vulnerable individuals within the refugee community. Together with the Ministry of Interior UNHCR will continue updating the population data of the verified registered and unregistered refugees and make sustained efforts to ensure that new-born babies are provided with a birth certificate.
UNHCR will also engage in advocacy, negotiation and building of new partnerships on the transitioning to migrant status, access to work permits and access to public services for residual groups of Myanmar refugees in Thailand.