A/RES/69/154
Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons 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 infectious diseases,
Recalling the Joint Declaration adopted at the joint summit of the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the East African Community on the
Horn of Africa crisis, held in Nairobi on 8 and 9 September 2011, which, inter alia,
expressed concern about the mass exodus of refugees into neighbouring countries, as
well as the increased number of internally displaced persons due to the ongoing
humanitarian crises of drought and famine in the Horn of Africa,
Recalling also the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great
Lakes Region, adopted by the International Conference on the Great Lakes 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 countries that continue to host the influx of refugees due to the
humanitarian crises and protracted refugee situations, and in this regard expressing
particular appreciation for the commitment and efforts of neighbouring countries in
the recent humanitarian crises on the continent, and further 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 the emergency,
Recognizing that host States have the primary responsibility for the protection
of and assistance to refugees on their territory and the need to redouble efforts to
develop and implement comprehensive durable solution strategies, in appropriate
cooperation with the international community, and burden- and responsibilitysharing,
Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility to provide protection
and assistance to internally displaced persons within their jurisdiction, as well as to
address the root causes of the displacement problem, in appropriate cooperation
with the international community,
Welcoming the ongoing implementation of pledges made by States at the
intergovernmental ministerial event held in 2011 to mark the sixtieth anniversary of
the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the fiftieth anniversary
of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness,5
1.
Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General 6 and the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;7
2.
Calls upon African Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the
African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced
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5
Ibid., vol. 989, No. 14458.
A/69/339.
7
Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 12 (A/69/12).
6
2/7