Addis Ababa, Member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are convening in Addis Ababa to validate the IGAD Policy Framework on Protection of refugees.
The three-day consultation aims at harmonizing approaches to refugee management and asylum protection in the IGAD Region, it was learned.
The consultative process to formulating IGAD’s policy framework on refugee protection seeks to address multiple and interlinked practical concerns of IGAD Member States to manage the rising numbers of refugees in the region sustainably and simultaneously find solutions for these populations, primarily from member states.
The IGAD region has been recently hosting over 5 million refugees due to conflict resulted and climate induced challenges.
It is believed that the region is hosting the largest number of refugees in the African continent.
In this regard, the policy framework is anticipated to provide a basis for Member States to come together to develop regional support and coordination functions.
The IGAD regional policy framework on refugee protection would play significant role in enhancing regional approaches, cooperation, coordination and collaboration among member states and all stakeholders including refugees, refugee led organizations, women, children, and youth in addressing the challenges of refugees.
Participation has been drawn from high-level national delegates including Commissioners of Refugees and Foreign Affairs officials.
Others include development partners such as UNHCR, the Governments of Sweden, USA, Canada, and UNDP among others.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency