submitted to the Committee. It calls for a review of policies for refugee
assistance in low-income countries with a major refugee problem, and for a new
approach to the solution of such problems. The report emphasizes that, while
meeting refugees' urgent needs as a first priority in the early stages of an
influx, the refugees' productivity should be encouraged from the outset to the
extent possible: this should enable refugees progressively to support
themselves, and contribute to the development of the area.
comprehensive view of what is sometimes called the "refugee affected areas",
where the refugees are a component of a much wider picture which involves the
local population as well, invites us to realistic reflexion on the means of
overcoming the obstacles to self-sufficiency and where it is feasible -
local integration.
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This more
But obstacles may be other than technical. Even when refugees are offered
asylum and hospitality temporarily, they may nevertheless be undesirable.
Asylum should always be considered as a peaceful and humanitarian act.
However, refugees may be seen to have a political impact as a group and may
contribute to tension between neighbouring countries or affect important
national concerns.
Short of the possibility of repatriation and local integration,
resettlement becomes the only solution. Obstacles to resettlement are well
known. No country has an endless receiving capacity. Not all refugees are
able to integrate smoothly. For many, resettlement is not really an adequate
solution and they may suffer severe cultural trauma. There are the
handicapped who have the double disadvantage of being refugees and disabled.
Three hundred of them are accepted every year. Eight hundred a
comparatively small figure are still waiting however, and new disabled
refugees are identified every day. More places are also needed for those
whose security is endangered and need immediate resettlement as the only
possible solution to their protection problem.
The difficulty of reaching a burden-sharing balance acceptable to all
concerned, the world economic crisis, xenophobia which is a spreading danger,
compassion fatigue, all these factors affect resettlement policies and
as indeed they may deplorably affect the granting of asylum.
practices
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