UNHCR 89th Standing Committee - Regional updates: Middle East and North Africa - EU Statement
UNHCR 89th Standing Committee
13-15 March 2024
Agenda item 3 a) Regional updates: Middle East and North Africa
Statement by the EU and its Member States
Chair,
I am speaking on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
Thirteen years into the Syrian conflict, it remains one of the world’s largest refugee crises. The neighboring countries have shown great solidarity with refugees. In the spirit of global burden and responsibility sharing, the EU and its Member States are committed to continue supporting the people of Syria and countries hosting Syrian refugees, bilaterally and through the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan, co-led by UNHCR and UNDP. In Syria, it is key that the humanitarian assistance goes to people most in need in all areas of the country. It will therefore be important to continue using all modalities for aid delivery, including the UN’s cross-border modalities, which we call on all stakeholders to respect and extend. This is crucial for UNHCR’s ability to address the rising needs of IDPs in Northern Syria. We further reiterate the importance of ensuring that refugee returns are voluntary, safe, and dignified, for which conditions are currently not in place. We refer to the findings of the recent OHCHR report on this matter and call for the implementation of commitments announced at the last UNHCR Executive Committee in October on refugee returns. We call on safeguarding refugee rights, notably the right to registration, documentation, decent living conditions, improved self-reliance, and adequate access to basic services.
In Türkiye, to support reconstruction efforts after the earthquake, an agreement to deliver EUR 400 million was signed between the EU and Türkiye in February this year. Regarding the situation of refugees and UNHCR’s pivotal role on protection, we encourage a nexus dialogue between all relevant humanitarian and development actors. The EU and its Member States support Jordan and Lebanon in providing access to basic services for refugees and host communities in vulnerable situation in key sectors such as education, health and other areas.
The current escalating violence in the Middle East, is having dramatic effects on Palestine[1] refugees, who continue to depend on humanitarian support outside UNHCR’s mandate via UNRWA, not only in Occupied Palestinian Territory but also in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. We appreciate UNHCR’s role in addressing tremendous humanitarian needs in the region, including through support to authorities and local partners, in complementarity with UNRWA under their respective mandates in this particularly critical moment. We welcome in this regard the Secretary-General’s decision to appoint an independent review group to assess UNRWA’s internal mechanisms and procedures.
We call for the respect of human rights and International Humanitarian Law, and note that there must be accountability for violations of international law. We reiterate the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times, including UN personnel, humanitarian, and health care personnel, as well as the protection of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools, and UN premises, in line with International Humanitarian Law. We reiterate our condemnation of the terrorist attacks of Hamas on October 7th and we call for the unconditional and immediate release of hostages. We take note of the binding provisional measures order rendered by the International Court of Justice on 26 January, and urge all sides to respect international law. We call for the facilitation of the work of UN agencies, including through continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, in order for aid to reach those in need through all necessary means. We welcome in this respect the activation of a maritime corridor to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza from Cyprus. We note the High Commissioner’s call on all parties to implement a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. We are very concerned about the humanitarian consequences of a possible ground operation in Rafah where well over a million Palestinians are currently sheltering from the fighting. Finally, we are deeply concerned by the imminent famine among displaced Palestinians, especially those in northern Gaza due to the limited humanitarian access.
In Yemen, refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers face increasing protection risks. The operating environment remains challenging, with access constraints, increasing bureaucratic impediments and insecurity incidents especially under Houthi-controlled area. In this role, we expect clear and transparent communication of issues at hand, to allow principled operations to reach the most vulnerable, including women and girls. UNHCR is the sole provider of protection services to forcibly displaced persons and plays a central role in addressing their overwhelming protection needs. UNHCR is also a key partner in facilitating the coordination of the humanitarian response through its leadership of the protection, Shelter/NFI and camp coordination / camp management clusters. The EU and its Member States welcome UNHCR’s engagement and reiterate our commitment to supporting joint efforts, including the promotion of the centrality of protection and the implementation of the UNHCR-IOM joint mixed-movement strategy. Maintaining a united voice among donors and humanitarian actors and ensuring smooth coordination – including through the humanitarian Senior Officials’ Meetings on Yemen, remains paramount.
Thank you.
[1] This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.