Reference Group on Protracted Internal Displacement DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION AND FINALIZATION Terms of Reference August 2016 1. Background/Scope of Work Background to Responding to Displacement and Enhancing Protection Outcomes The IASC Working Group (WG) agreed to forming a Reference Group on Protracted Displacements during the development of its 2016-2017 Strategic Priorities. The Reference Group will assist the IASC achieve its objectives related to the priority on Responding to Displacement and Enhancing Protection Outcomes. The WG Sponsor(s) of the Reference Group – UNDP and UNHCR – will provide the overall guidance for the achievement of objectives related to this priority. The Reference Group on Protracted Displacement is charged with supporting ‘the implementation of the IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in protracted displacement’ under the Outcome ‘Enhance protection of the most vulnerable groups in emergencies.’ will be on what As the IASC is primarily about humanitarian action, the focus of the Reference Group humanitarians should do differently while operating in protracted displacement situations, so as to avoid protracted humanitarian responses and to advance solutions where possible. Given the critical role that development actors play in implementing or launching medium and longer-term interventions that can reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance and support return to self-reliance, the Group will also look into the evolving roles of development actors in protracted displacement, so as to better articulate a clear division of labour for effective and sound collaboration. The IASC Framework on Durable Solutions endorsed in 2009 remains the key reference point for the work of the Reference Group; The focus will be on supporting concrete action on IDPs and internal displacement in the context of conflict and natural disasters, while recognizing inter-linkages with situations of high level of violence and the effects of climate change. Particular attention to the issue of ‘invisibility’ of IDPs in urban and rural contexts and the specific needs of marginalised groups, such as women, youth, children, the elderly, but including also religious and ethnic minorities and others with a higher risk of being displaced or of not finding durable solutions; Noting that every situation has the potential to become protracted if sustainable solutions are not available and sought from the beginning of an emergency, tt is suggested to use the plain English meaning of ‘protracted’, rather than getting lost in definitions that will not serve practical value;
Reference Group on Protracted Internal Displacement DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION AND FINALIZATION Terms of Reference August 2016 1. Background/Scope of Work Background to Responding to Displacement and Enhancing Protection Outcomes The IASC Working Group (WG) agreed to forming a Reference Group on Protracted Displacements during the development of its 2016-2017 Strategic Priorities. The Reference Group will assist the IASC achieve its objectives related to the priority on Responding to Displacement and Enhancing Protection Outcomes. The WG Sponsor(s) of the Reference Group – UNDP and UNHCR – will provide the overall guidance for the achievement of objectives related to this priority. The Reference Group on Protracted Displacement is charged with supporting ‘the implementation of the IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in protracted displacement’ under the Outcome ‘Enhance protection of the most vulnerable groups in emergencies.’ As the IASC is primarily about humanitarian action, the focus of the Reference Group will be on what humanitarians should do differently while operating in protracted displacement situations, so as to avoid protracted humanitarian responses and to advance solutions where possible. Given the critical role that development actors play in implementing or launching medium and longer-term interventions that can reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance and support return to self-reliance, the Group will also look into the evolving roles of development actors in protracted displacement, so as to better articulate a clear division of labour for effective and sound collaboration. The IASC Framework on Durable Solutions endorsed in 2009 remains the key reference point for the work of the Reference Group; The focus will be on supporting concrete action on IDPs and internal displacement in the context of conflict and natural disasters, while recognizing inter-linkages with situations of high level of violence and the effects of climate change. Particular attention to the issue of ‘invisibility’ of IDPs in urban and rural contexts and the specific needs of marginalised groups, such as women, youth, children, the elderly, but including also religious and ethnic minorities and others with a higher risk of being displaced or of not finding durable solutions; Noting that every situation has the potential to become protracted if sustainable solutions are not available and sought from the beginning of an emergency, tt is suggested to use the plain English meaning of ‘protracted’, rather than getting lost in definitions that will not serve practical value;
iasc_rg_protracted_displacement_draft_tor_-_august_2016.docx