A/RES/71/173
Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa
Acknowledging the efforts of Member States, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees and other stakeholders in improving the situation of
refugees,
Expressing grave concern about funding gaps in responding to various refugee
situations in different parts of Africa, which are a ma jor factor leading to the
deterioration in living conditions in many refugee camps in Africa,
Recognizing that refugees, internally displaced persons and, in particular,
women and children are at an increased risk of exposure to HIV and AIDS, malaria
and other diseases,
Recalling the high-level segment on the theme “Enhancing international
cooperation, solidarity, local capacities and humanitarian action for refugees in
Africa” of the sixty-fifth session of the Executive Committee of the Programme of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, held in Geneva from
29 September to 3 October 2014, and the statement adopted on 30 September 2014
by States members of the Executive Committee, 5 and expressing deep concern that
this particular event has not mobilized the necessary su pport for refugees and their
hosting countries and communities,
Welcoming the hosting of the regional ministerial meeting on the Global
Initiative on Somali Refugees, held in Addis Ababa on 20 August 2014, endorsing the
Addis Ababa Commitment towards Somali Refugees adopted during the ministerial
meeting, and welcoming the pledging conference, held in Brussels on 21 October
2015, to mobilize the support and resources needed to achieve solutions for Somali
refugees through the creation of conditions conduc ive to safe and dignified returns
as well as the enhancement of the sustainable integration of displaced persons,
Recalling the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes
Region, adopted by the International Conference on the Great La kes Region in
2006, and its instruments, in particular two of the protocols to the Pact which are
relevant to the protection of displaced persons, namely, the Protocol on the
Protection of and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons and the Protocol on the
Property Rights of Returning Persons,
Acknowledging with appreciation the generosity, hospitality and spirit of
solidarity of African States that, despite their limited resources, continue to host a
large number of refugees, owing to humanitarian crises and protracted refugee
situations, in this regard expressing particular appreciation for the commitment and
efforts of neighbouring countries in the recent humanitarian crises on the continent,
welcoming efforts by African States that endeavour to facilitate the voluntary
repatriation, local integration, resettlement and rehabilitation of refugees and to
promote conditions conducive to the voluntary return and sustainable reintegration
of refugees in their country of origin, and also acknowledging with appreciation the
coordination of humanitarian assistance by the United Nations as well as the
continuing efforts of donors, the United Nations system, including the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, regional organizations,
international agencies, non-governmental organizations and other partners, with
regard to, inter alia, integration, voluntary return, reintegration and resettlement, in
addressing the plight of refugees during emergencies,
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Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 12A (A/69/12/Add.1),
annex I.
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