Building Lasting Futures: A Guide to Durable Solutions for Displaced Populations

Building Lasting Futures: A Guide to Durable Solutions for Displaced Populations

By Tahir Ali Shah

For policymakers around the world, one of the most pressing challenges is addressing the needs of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, persecution, or disasters. Millions of individuals are displaced globally, facing immense hardship and uncertainty. While immediate humanitarian aid is crucial, it is equally important to focus on long-term strategies that enable these populations to rebuild their lives and achieve lasting stability. These long-term strategies are known as durable solutions.

Durable solutions are achieved when displaced persons no longer have specific needs related to their displacement and can fully enjoy their human rights without discrimination. This means they have a stable living situation, access to essential services, and opportunities for economic and social inclusion, just like any other citizen. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) highlights three traditional durable solutions for refugees: voluntary repatriation (the act of returning to one's country of origin voluntarily), local integration (settling permanently in the host country), and resettlement to a third country. Save the Children emphasizes that for internally displaced children, durable solutions can be realized through sustainable integration in their current location, safe and voluntary return to their place of origin, or safe settlement in another part of their country.

Globally, the number of forcibly displaced people is staggering and continues to rise. By the end of 2023, the UNHCR estimated that 117.3 million people were displaced worldwide, a figure that had likely exceeded to 120 million by the end of April 2024. This represents a dramatic increase from the 59.5 million people forcibly displaced at the end of 2014. The consistent upward trend is evident in the following figures:

Year	Total Displaced (Millions)	Refugees (Millions)	IDPs (Millions)
2014	59.5	19.5	38.2
2015	65.3	21.3	40.8
2016	65.6	22.5	40.3
2017	68.5	25.4	Approximately 40
2018	70.8	25.9	41.3
2019	79.5	29.6	45.7
2020	Approximately 82.4	Approximately 26.3	Approximately 48.0
2021	89.3	Approximately 27.1 + 5.7	Approximately 53.2
2022	108.4	Approximately 35.3	Approximately 62.5
2023	117.3	43.3/43.4	63.3

In 2014, there were 19.5 million refugees and 38.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). By 2023, these numbers had risen significantly, with 43.3 million refugees and 63.3 million IDPs. This increase highlights the urgent need for effective and sustainable solutions.

 

While the ideal scenario is often voluntary repatriation, where displaced individuals feel safe and choose to return to their home countries, this is not always feasible in the short or even long term. Several factors can hinder return, including ongoing conflict, political instability, the presence of landmines, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. When return is not immediately possible or not the preferred option, local integration within the host community or resettlement to a third country become critical pathways to achieving a durable solution.

Local integration involves displaced persons settling permanently in the country where they have sought refuge. This requires host governments to adopt inclusive policies that grant refugees and IDPs legal status, as well as access to education, healthcare, and the labor market. Additionally, it necessitates fostering Social Cohesion between displaced populations and host communities to address potential tensions and ensure that both groups can thrive.

Resettlement to a third country offers another vital solution for a smaller proportion of refugees who face significant protection risks in their host countries or cannot return home. This process involves transferring refugees from their first country of asylum to another country that has agreed to grant them permanent residence.

However, achieving durable solutions is not without its challenges. Protracted displacement is a growing concern, as individuals and families may remain in limbo for years, sometimes even decades, unable to return home or fully integrate into their host communities. This prolonged uncertainty can have devastating consequences, particularly for children, hindering their development, education, and access to opportunities.

Several factors contribute to the difficulty in achieving durable solutions. Conflict and instability in countries of origin often prevent safe returns. A lack of political will and cooperation among governments can impede the implementation of effective policies. Development work, which is crucial for creating sustainable opportunities for the displaced, may begin late or be inadequately funded. Furthermore, the lack of comprehensive data on displacement and the needs of displaced populations can hinder the design and implementation of targeted and effective solutions.

Policymakers play a crucial role in advancing durable solutions for displaced populations. States bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the protection of IDPs and creating conditions for durable solutions. This includes developing and implementing national laws and policies on internal displacement that recognize the rights and needs of these individuals.

Specifically, policymakers can:

·       Strengthen legal and policy frameworks: Enact and enforce laws and policies that protect the rights of refugees and IDPs, ensuring their access to essential services, legal assistance, and pathways to integration.

·       Promote economic inclusion: Implement policies that allow displaced individuals to access employment and livelihood opportunities, contributing to their self-reliance and reducing their dependence on aid. This can include providing work permits, vocational training, and access to financial services.

·       Invest in social integration: Support programs that foster social cohesion between displaced and host communities, addressing issues of discrimination and promoting mutual understanding and respect. This can involve investing in education, community centers, and joint initiatives.

·       Facilitate voluntary repatriation: When conditions in the country of origin allow for safe and dignified return, policymakers should support voluntary repatriation programs, ensuring that returnees have access to the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives.

·       Enhance data collection and analysis: Invest in robust data collection systems to better understand the needs and intentions of displaced populations. This information is crucial for designing effective and targeted durable solutions programs.

·       Foster partnerships and coordination: Durable solutions require a collaborative approach involving governments, international organizations like UNHCR and Save the Children, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the displaced individuals themselves. Policymakers should foster strong partnerships and ensure effective coordination among all stakeholders.

·       Allocate adequate funding: Achieving durable solutions requires sustained financial investment. Policymakers need to allocate sufficient resources to support programs and initiatives that promote long-term stability for displaced populations.

·       Champion the rights of displaced children: Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of children affected by displacement, policymakers should ensure that national and local durable solutions strategies are child-sensitive, prioritizing their protection, well-being, and access to education and healthcare.

Investing in durable solutions is not merely a humanitarian imperative but also a strategic long-term investment. By empowering displaced populations to become self-sufficient and productive members of society, policymakers can reduce long-term reliance on aid, stimulate local economies, and foster greater stability and social cohesion. Conversely, neglecting durable solutions can lead to protracted humanitarian crises, increased social tensions, and a significant loss of human potential. Therefore, a commitment to comprehensive and sustainable durable solutions is essential for building a more just and prosperous world for all.

About the Author: Tahir Ali Shah is a humanitarian professional with over 20 years of experience managing protection and development programs across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He has worked extensively in refugee response, child protection, and humanitarian advocacy. He can be reached at tshaha@gmail.com