Morocco’s intervention to modify UNHCR report

Tags : Morocco UNHCR report, Western Sahara,

Intervention du Maroc sur le rapport du HCR

D. Assistance and protection for Western Saharan refugees

1. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), in conjunction with the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Spanish Agency for Cooperation and Development, and several international and local non­governmental organizations, continued to provide assistance and protection to Western Saharan refugees in the camps near Tindouf, Algeria.
2. The main areas of support include food distribution, water and sanitation, education, transport and logistics, health, agriculture, shelter, protection, and community services.
3. WFP continue to provide 90,000 general food rations and 35,000 supplementary general food rations to the most vulnerable refugees each month. UNHCR continue to provide complementary food. The two agencies also conducted 45 general food basket distribution visits to different food distribution points in the camps each month, as determined by a joint needs assessment.
4. UNHCR continued to supply the refugees with potable water, constructing new water networks to reduce the cost of water delivery by truck. Solidaridad International, a Spanish NGO, with funding from ECHO and UNHCR, installed water systems in all the camps. In Laayoune camp, a new osmosis system was installed, renewing the water pipelines and new boreholes to increase the quantity of water. Local staff members at the Saharan water department received training on technical aspects of water treatment.
5. In the education sector, UNHCR rehabilitated six schools in the camps to contain the sudden return of Saharwi students from Libya. UNHCR continues to train teachers in curriculum development and pedagogy. So far 25 students are recipients of UNHCR scholarships since 2008.
6. In 2011, UNHCR supplied one third of the cooking gas requirement, in complement to the supply provided by the Algerian Red Crescent. UNHCR also provided 1060 empty cylinders. More than 26,000 jogging suits to schoolchildren in all camps covering 100% of the needs. Furthermore, UNHCR procured more than 1,200 tents for distribution in 2012.
7. In the health sector, UNHCR and WFP, through their implementing partner, the Algerian Red Crescent, provided a supplementary feeding program to moderately malnourished children under five, and pregnant and lactating women in all camps. UNHCR distributed two new products “Nutributter & MNP” to reduce the rates of anaemia and chronic malnutrition among children aged between 6 and 59 months as well as lactating and pregnant women. Intensive behaviour change and communication campaigns (BCC) were also implemented. UNHCR also provided support to the nursing school, conducted training courses for nurses and midwives, and supplying products and teaching aids. UNHCR continued to support the CTC (Community-based Therapeutic Centre) programme by providing Plumpy’Nut, UNHCR also provided the Sahrawi health facilities with the needed consumables for the dental clinics and Xray services as well as the required laboratory reagents/equipments covering about 70% of the total needs. Furthermore, UNHCR has initiated a pilot project of awareness against STIs focusing on HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. UNHCR continued supporting the vocational centres for women, youth, and handicapped persons. . In the agriculture sector, an income-generating project was inaugurated in Dakhla camp involving small-scale manufacturing of sweets.
8. To enhance the protection of refugees, UNHCR supported the legal establishments in the Tindouf camps. Incentives and training were also provided to lawyers and judges. UNHCR has commenced construction of new field offices in all the camps to enhance refugee protection and bring services closer.
9. Further to the recommendation on the conduct of a census made in my previous report of 6 April 2010 (S/2010/175, para. 75), and the resolution 1979 of UNSC on Western Sahara requesting UNHCR to maintain its consideration of a refugee registration in Tindouf refugee camps, and in line with its mandate and established practice, UNHCR will continue discussing with the host country the need for registration in Tindouf refugee camps.

E. Confidence-building measures

1. UNHCR continued to implement the Confidence Building Measures programme to facilitate contact and communication between Western Saharan refugees in the Tindouf camps and their families in the Territory. MINURSO continued to provide logistical support, including United Nations police officers as observers and escort.
2. Family visits and organization of seminars will remain the two fundamental components in CBM Plan of Action.
3. Since the meeting of 9-10 February 2011, UNHCR with the cooperation of both parties, has accomplished the following:
   1. Undertook jointly with MINURSO, road reconnaissance mission in April 2011 to explore the possibility to expand the family visit activity to include road trips. The final recommendations were shared with the parties. The outcome of the recommendations did not foresee a short-term possibility to materialize a road expansion plan due to complicated logistical and funding requirements.
   2. Organized a Seminar on Hassania culture, traditional heritage and practices in Madeira- Portugal from 12 to 16 September 2011 where 34 participants equally from the territory and Tindouf camps in Algeria participated. In 2012, UNHCR is planning to organize two seminars in Portugal. The Seminar was successful and appreciated by the participants as well as both parties.
   3. Undertook a mass verification exercise for CBM registered families between 11 July and 11 October, in order to simplify the procedures for family visits. UNHCR shared two pre-cleared long lists of potential families, from which a final list will be submitted for each flight to both parties.
   4. Conducted a general registration exercise in February 2012, for the purposes of maximizing the number of beneficiaries and to verify and update the old list of registration.

4. The total number of registered persons in the camps near Tindouf and in the Territory by end of 2011 is 42,603 persons, of which …… Benefited and …… verified in October 2011.
5. Following the kidnapping incident of three humanitarian NGO expatriates in Rabouni camp near Tindouf end of October, MINURSO issued security mitigation measures that restricted movement of UN personnel/vehicles. UNHCR suspended missions to the refugee camps and therefore postponed the CBM scheduled flights between 28 October and 04 November. UNHCR in coordination with MINURSO undertook an assessment mission to evaluate the field security arrangements and seek advice and assurances on safety of staff from the Algerian Government and the Front POLISARIO. CBM flights resumed on 14 November after introduction of special security and escort procedures.
6. Following efforts made by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, and my Personal Envoy Christopher Ross, to engage the parties, UNHCR chaired a meeting in Geneva on 24 and 25 January 2012, with representatives from both parties, as well as Algeria and Mauritania as observers. My Personal Envoy and the Special Representative for Western Sahara also attended.
7. During the two days of constructive deliberations, the participants reaffirmed the importance of the CBM programme and the need to find ways and means to maximize the links between families divided by conflict for 36 years. The Parties expressed their commitment to cooperate fully with UNHCR in implementing the CBM activities, in accordance with its mandate and principles, and to preserve the humanitarian character of the CBM operation.
8. After extensive discussions, the Parties and the two neighbouring countries agreed to the following:

1. Acknowledged the positive outcome of the first cultural seminar on the Hassaniya heritage held in Madeira, Portugal, in September 2011, and agreed that another seminar will be held in July-August 2012. The venue will in principle be the Azores, Portugal, but further consultations will need to take place with the Portuguese Government. It was decided that the duration of the seminar will be for five days, including three days for the seminar and two days for travel. The facilitator in principle will be a professor from Mauritania as in the last seminar. Two topics are proposed for the seminar: 1) “The role of women in Sahrawi culture”, and 2) “The concept and meaning of the tent in Sahrawi culture”. Subject to the availability of financial resources, a second seminar can be held later in the year or at the beginning of 2013.
2. Acknowledged the valuable road assessment conducted by UNHCR in April 2011 and agreed that the exchange of family visits by road will be maintained as a possible option to increase the number of beneficiaries. Its implementation, however, will remain on hold for the time being, given the constraints identified in the report. For the immediate future, a larger aircraft with a carrying capacity of 150 passengers will be chartered as soon as the competitive bidding process is completed, possibly by April 2012, which would increase the number of beneficiaries of the family visits to 6,000 annually. In the interim, the programme will continue to rely on the current MINURSO aircraft. The chartered aircraft will receive the same benefits under the MINURSO’s SOFA as granted to its aircrafts.
3. Agreed to hold regular coordination meetings, at least twice a year, in Geneva, to review the progress made on the CBM programme and discuss issues of mutual concern. The next meeting could take place in November 2012.
4. Reiterated their support to UNHCR to organise an evaluation of the CBM programme as a lessons learned exercise in 2012.
5. Agreed to the simplified procedures presented by UNHCR for the preparation of the family visits. The duration of the visits will remain five days. Pre-­departure preparations will be done in accordance with the matrix and the seven steps proposed by UNHCR, which are incorporated in the updated Plan of Action of January 2012 adopted by the participants.
6. Agreed to the use of new information technology to facilitate communication links between the families through IT infrastructure. UNHCR will assess this option and consult with the concerned parties. Pending this outcome, the mail and telephone services will continue to be considered.
7. Adopted the updated Plan of Action of January 2012 presented by UNHCR for the implementation of the CBM.

Version final

D. Assistance and protection for Western Saharan refugees

10. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), in conjunction with the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Spanish Agency for Cooperation and Development, and several international and local non­governmental organizations, continued to provide assistance and protection to Western Saharan refugees in the camps near Tindouf, Algeria.
11. The main areas of support include food distribution, water and sanitation, education, transport and logistics, health, agriculture, shelter, protection, and community services.
12. WFP continue to provide 90,000 general food rations and 35,000 supplementary general food rations to the most vulnerable refugees each month. UNHCR continue to provide complementary food. The two agencies also conducted 45 general food basket distribution visits to different food distribution points in the camps each month, as determined by a joint needs assessment.
13. UNHCR continued to supply the refugees with potable water, constructing new water networks to reduce the cost of water delivery by truck. Solidaridad International, a Spanish NGO, with funding from ECHO and UNHCR, installed water systems in all the camps. In Laayoune camp, a new osmosis system was installed, renewing the water pipelines and new boreholes to increase the quantity of water. Local staff members at the Saharan water department received training on technical aspects of water treatment.
14. In the education sector, UNHCR rehabilitated six schools in the camps to contain the sudden return of Saharwi students from Libya. UNHCR continues to train teachers in curriculum development and pedagogy. So far 25 students are recipients of UNHCR scholarships since 2008.
15. In 2011, UNHCR supplied one third of the cooking gas requirement, in complement to the supply provided by the Algerian Red Crescent. UNHCR also provided 1060 empty cylinders. More than 26,000 jogging suits to schoolchildren in all camps covering 100% of the needs. Furthermore, UNHCR procured more than 1,200 tents for distribution in 2012.
16. In the health sector, UNHCR and WFP, through their implementing partner, the Algerian Red Crescent, provided a supplementary feeding program to moderately malnourished children under five, and pregnant and lactating women in all camps. UNHCR distributed two new products “Nutributter & MNP” to reduce the rates of anaemia and chronic malnutrition among children aged between 6 and 59 months as well as lactating and pregnant women. Intensive behaviour change and communication campaigns (BCC) were also implemented. UNHCR also provided support to the nursing school, conducted training courses for nurses and midwives, and supplying products and teaching aids. UNHCR continued to support the CTC (Community-based Therapeutic Centre) programme by providing Plumpy’Nut, UNHCR also provided the Sahrawi health facilities with the needed consumables for the dental clinics and Xray services as well as the required laboratory reagents/equipments covering about 70% of the total needs. Furthermore, UNHCR has initiated a pilot project of awareness against STIs focusing on HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. UNHCR continued supporting the vocational centres for women, youth, and handicapped persons. . In the agriculture sector, an income-generating project was inaugurated in Dakhla camp involving small-scale manufacturing of sweets.
17. To enhance the protection of refugees, UNHCR supported the legal establishments in the Tindouf camps. Incentives and training were also provided to lawyers and judges. UNHCR has commenced construction of new field offices in all the camps to enhance refugee protection and bring services closer.
18. Further to the recommendation on the conduct of a census made in my previous report of 6 April 2010 (S/2010/175, para. 75), and the resolution 1979 of UNSC on Western Sahara requesting UNHCR to maintain its consideration of a refugee registration in Tindouf refugee camps, and in line with its mandate and established practice, UNHCR will continue discussing with the host country the need for registration in Tindouf refugee camps.

E. Confidence-building measures

9. UNHCR continued to implement the Confidence Building Measures programme to facilitate contact and communication between Western Saharan refugees in the Tindouf camps and their families in the Territory. MINURSO continued to provide logistical support, including United Nations police officers as observers and escort.
10. Family visits and organization of seminars will remain the two fundamental components in CBM Plan of Action.
11. Since the meeting of 9-10 February 2011, UNHCR with the cooperation of both parties, has accomplished the following:
    1. Undertook jointly with MINURSO, road reconnaissance mission in April 2011 to explore the possibility to expand the family visit activity to include road trips. The final recommendations were shared with the parties. The outcome of the recommendations did not foresee a short-term possibility to materialize a road expansion plan due to complicated logistical and funding requirements.
    2. Organized a Seminar on Hassania culture, traditional heritage and practices in Madeira- Portugal from 12 to 16 September 2011 where 34 participants equally from the territory and Tindouf camps in Algeria participated. In 2012, UNHCR is planning to organize two seminars in Portugal. The Seminar was successful and appreciated by the participants as well as both parties.
    3. Undertook a mass verification exercise for CBM registered families between 11 July and 11 October, in order to simplify the procedures for family visits. UNHCR shared two pre-cleared long lists of potential families, from which a final list will be submitted for each flight to both parties.
    4. Conducted a general registration exercise in February 2012, for the purposes of maximizing the number of beneficiaries and to verify and update the old list of registration.

12. The total number of registered persons in the camps near Tindouf and in the Territory by end of 2011 is 42,603 persons, of which …… Benefited and …… verified in October 2011.
13. Following the kidnapping incident of three humanitarian NGO expatriates in Rabouni camp near Tindouf end of October, MINURSO issued security mitigation measures that restricted movement of UN personnel/vehicles. UNHCR suspended missions to the refugee camps and therefore postponed the CBM scheduled flights between 28 October and 04 November. UNHCR in coordination with MINURSO undertook an assessment mission to evaluate the field security arrangements and seek advice and assurances on safety of staff from the Algerian Government and the Front POLISARIO. CBM flights resumed on 14 November after introduction of special security and escort procedures.
14. Following efforts made by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, and my Personal Envoy Christopher Ross, to engage the parties, UNHCR chaired a meeting in Geneva on 24 and 25 January 2012, with representatives from both parties, as well as Algeria and Mauritania as observers. My Personal Envoy and the Special Representative for Western Sahara also attended.
15. During the two days of constructive deliberations, the participants reaffirmed the importance of the CBM programme and the need to find ways and means to maximize the links between families divided by conflict for 36 years. The Parties expressed their commitment to cooperate fully with UNHCR in implementing the CBM activities, in accordance with its mandate and principles, and to preserve the humanitarian character of the CBM operation.
16. After extensive discussions, the Parties and the two neighbouring countries agreed to the following:

8. Acknowledged the positive outcome of the first cultural seminar on the Hassaniya heritage held in Madeira, Portugal, in September 2011, and agreed that another seminar will be held in July-August 2012. The venue will in principle be the Azores, Portugal, but further consultations will need to take place with the Portuguese Government. It was decided that the duration of the seminar will be for five days, including three days for the seminar and two days for travel. The facilitator in principle will be a professor from Mauritania as in the last seminar. Two topics are proposed for the seminar: 1) “The role of women in Sahrawi culture”, and 2) “The concept and meaning of the tent in Sahrawi culture”. Subject to the availability of financial resources, a second seminar can be held later in the year or at the beginning of 2013.
9. Acknowledged the valuable road assessment conducted by UNHCR in April 2011 and agreed that the exchange of family visits by road will be maintained as a possible option to increase the number of beneficiaries. Its implementation, however, will remain on hold for the time being, given the constraints identified in the report. For the immediate future, a larger aircraft with a carrying capacity of 150 passengers will be chartered as soon as the competitive bidding process is completed, possibly by April 2012, which would increase the number of beneficiaries of the family visits to 6,000 annually. In the interim, the programme will continue to rely on the current MINURSO aircraft. The chartered aircraft will receive the same benefits under the MINURSO’s SOFA as granted to its aircrafts.
10. Agreed to hold regular coordination meetings, at least twice a year, in Geneva, to review the progress made on the CBM programme and discuss issues of mutual concern. The next meeting could take place in November 2012.
11. Reiterated their support to UNHCR to organise an evaluation of the CBM programme as a lessons learned exercise in 2012.
12. Agreed to the simplified procedures presented by UNHCR for the preparation of the family visits. The duration of the visits will remain five days. Pre-­departure preparations will be done in accordance with the matrix and the seven steps proposed by UNHCR, which are incorporated in the updated Plan of Action of January 2012 adopted by the participants.
13. Agreed to the use of new information technology to facilitate communication links between the families through IT infrastructure. UNHCR will assess this option and consult with the concerned parties. Pending this outcome, the mail and telephone services will continue to be considered.
14. Adopted the updated Plan of Action of January 2012 presented by UNHCR for the implementation of the CBM.

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