Background

With around 60 million people who are refugees or internally displaced, and in the light of recent events such as the Syrian crisis and the unfolding tragedy across the Mediterranean Sea, there is a growing recognition that humanitarian interventions are no longer adequate or sufficient responses.

The crisis is global, but is largely concentrated in developing countries. The displacement patterns are complex and the displacement crisis poses a substantial threat to poverty eradication and the achievement of shared prosperity goals.

In a new report, the World Bank Group (WBG) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) seek to provide an overview of the possible development responses to forced displacement.

The objective of the report is to articulate the key elements of a comprehensive development response to the forced displacement crisis.

The report thereby aims to provide an economic analysis of forced displacement; a conceptual framework to guide understandings of the issue; discussions on selected issues and available evidence; specific policy recommendations; as well as to identify critical knowledge gaps and areas where future research is needed.

The seminar presents the main results of the report in which the World Bank Group and UNCHR seek to answer questions such as:

Can there be ways to achieve a positive impact or to create opportunities out of the human tragedy of forced displacement?

• Can there be ways to create effective synergies between the humanitarian and development response so as to better promote self-reliance and prepare for durable solutions?
• How can a development approach be an alternative or a complement to a response by the host country’s security apparatus?
• Can there be ways to effectively mitigate or reduce the scope of the forced displacement crisis through prevention or response efforts?
• What kind of policy responses and investments should the development community focus on?

The seminar is organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DIIS.

Speakers

Xavier Devictor, Advisor, The World Bank

Steve Corliss, Director of UNHCR’s Division of Programme Support and Management

Ninna Nyberg Sørensen, Research Coordinator and Senior Researcher, DIIS

Thomas Thomsen, Chief Consultant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Programme

Læs videre på http://www.diis.dk/node/6783