UNHCR-ICMC Deployment Scheme hosts key resettlement training workshop for refugee protection experts

[ZIRC]

Geneva, 15 November 2010— Following a comprehensive 5-day training workshop hosted by ICMC, in cooperation with UNHCR, 18 new refugee protection experts have been
equipped with extensive resettlement expertise, ensuring their immediate availability for deployment to field operations.

UNHCR staff and representatives from several NGOs also participated in the training program. “This training is invaluable in preparing our resettlement
experts for rapid deployment to UNHCR operations where additional
support is most needed,” commented Linda Besharaty, ICMC Resettlement Coordinator.

“The partnership between UNHCR and ICMC has existed for more than ten years, during which time ICMC deployees have referred thousands of cases for resettlement consideration, making a
difference to the lives of vulnerable refugees the world over. Today,
we are equipping a further 18 resettlement experts with the necessary
skills to continue this work.”

Participants took part in a variety of training sessions, which focused on international protection, refugee law and resettlement operations. Particular attention was paid to the
1951 Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees,
including the definition and criteria for refugee status. Importantly,
participants consolidated their knowledge of UNHCR’s eight criteria for
determining the need for resettlement and were trained to identify the
most vulnerable refugees and those at greatest risk. In addition, the
participants complemented their knowledge through discussions of a
number of different refugee populations and region-specific cases.

ICMC Director of Operations, Walter Brill, UNHCR Deputy Director-Division of International Protection, Wei-Meng Lim-Kabba, and UNHCR Senior Resettlement Coordinator, Johannes
van der Klauuw, came together to welcome the participants on Monday
morning. Addressing the participants on the number of refugees whose
cases were submitted for resettlement consideration in 2009, van der
Klauuw emphasized resettlement as “a key protection tool and a durable
solution for refugees.” He further stated that ICMC deployees processed
more than half of UNHCR’s total resettlement cases and “have to be
accredited with contributing to the rising number of submissions over
the last 5 years.”

In addition to ICMC Deployment Scheme delegates, representatives were also present from ICMC Europe and UNHCR in Geneva and Moscow, as well as Cairo-based NGOs Africa and Middle East
Refugee Assistance
and Resettlement Legal Aid Project, and the Centre for International
Cooperation of the Red Cross in St Petersburg. “This training has
provided me with an excellent opportunity to meet and learn from
like-minded individuals who come from a variety of backgrounds and have a
wealth of experience in refugee protection,” observed Denise Lassar,
from Israel.

Three of the training participants will depart over the next two weeks for their UNHCR-ICMC deployments in Kenya and Chad. “I have no doubt that I am now better placed to practically
assist refugees on a day-to-day basis as a result of this training,”
said Canadian, Laurel Borisenko, who departs today for her deployment at
the UNHCR branch office in Nairobi.

The UNHCR-ICMC Resettlement Deployment Scheme plays a vital role increasing the number of vulnerable refugees referred for resettlement consideration. The Scheme has provided
support to UNHCR since 1998 and ICMC is a key member of UNHCR’s
affiliate workforce for resettlement activities. ICMC manages a global
roster of more than 200 resettlement specialists and 5 sub rosters for
experts in the following areas: refugee children/Best Interest
Determination, group resettlement, psychosocial support, refugee status
determination and refugee women and gender issues.

Download the Complete Presentation and Information in PDF (8 MB)