A/HRC/19/54
in two urban neighbourhoods in Bogota, Colombia, found tensions between host
communities and IDPs, due largely to IDPs being regarded as receiving preferential
treatment in a context of widespread urban poverty. In Guinea, host communities struggling
to rebuild after attacks on their community, became increasingly vulnerable as they shared
meagre resources with IDPs.30 While some of these challenges can also arise in the context
of IDP camps, IDPs who live within the community will be especially affected given their
level of dependency on informal community support. In this respect, a greater focus on
assisting host communities in tandem with IDP assistance in order to prevent tensions,
inequalities or the increasing vulnerability of hosts is a challenge for both development and
humanitarian actors.
Articulating existing practices and gaps: towards the development of a more systematized
and predictable response
41.
A number of actors, both national and international, have already been implementing
a community-based approach to IDP assistance and protection programmes, or have
included IDPs in wider community projects, such as poverty reduction strategies and
livelihood projects. Many of the experiences gained in the implementation of such
initiatives provide valuable lessons learnt or good practices. Yet, these often remain
discreet, ad hoc, or undocumented. As a result they have not articulated or included in
efforts to strengthen and systematize the overall humanitarian and development response to
IDPs outside camps. However, some initial steps have more recently been taken in this
regard: the issue of IDPs outside camps was discussed within the IASC in 2010, and several
agencies or IASC sub-groups have initiated their own review or other processes, such as the
collection of good practices.31 This mandate has also included considerations relating to
IDPs outside camps and community-based approaches, in the course of country visits, and
the development of guidance tools.32 More concerted and comprehensive efforts however,
will continue to be necessary in this regard.
42.
The Special Rapporteur has consistently encouraged donors, humanitarian and
development agencies to expand their focus to supporting the communities which host
IDPs. He believes that while the displacement-specific needs of IDPs must be addressed, a
community based approach which also addresses the needs of displacement-affected
communities and host families is necessary.33 The development of more predictable support
systems, good practices and standards for this purpose would greatly facilitate such
strategies. The Special Rapporteur is also of the opinion, however, that in order to be
successful, assistance to displacement-affected communities and IDPs must often go
beyond the delivering of humanitarian aid and include recovery and development
interventions.34
Assessing needs and providing assistance in hosting arrangements
43.
Improved and more systematized responses to IDPs outside camps, can also help
address a number of other issues, including the precarious nature and protection problems
raised by unmonitored and unassisted hosting arrangements such as those between IDPs
and host families or friends. Highly or entirely dependent on the assistance and shelter
30
31
32
33
34
14
IDMC, “Host communities struggle to bear burden of hosting IDPs,” November 2004.
For example: a draft handbook, “Humanitarian Action through Community Based Capacity
Development for displaced populations AND host communities in urban areas”, developed by
UNICEF and the IFRC, is soon to be released; and see „Meeting Humanitarian Challenges in Urban
Areas‟, 2010, by the IASC Task force on Meeting Humanitarian Challenges in Urban Areas
See, A/HRC/16/43/Add.5, pp. 25-26; A/HRC/13/21/Add.4, paras.34-43; press release, Haiti.
A/HRC/16/43, para.74.
See also A/HRC/13/21/Add.4,para.43