A/RES/71/1
New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
of refugees worldwide are in urban settings and only a minority are in camps. We
will ensure that the delivery of assistance to refugees and host communities is
adapted to the relevant context. We underline that host States have the primary
responsibility to ensure the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps
and settlements. We will work to ensure that this character is not compromised by
the presence or activities of armed elements and to ensure that camps are not used
for purposes that are incompatible with their civilian character. We will work to
strengthen security in refugee camps and surrounding local communities, at the
request and with the consent of the host country.
74. We welcome the extraordinarily generous contribution made to date by
countries that host large refugee populations and will work to increase the support
for those countries. We call for pledges made at relevant conferences to be di sbursed
promptly.
75. We commit to working towards solutions from the outset of a refugee
situation. We will actively promote durable solutions, particularly in protracted
refugee situations, with a focus on sustainable and timely return in safety and
dignity. This will encompass repatriation, reintegration, rehabilitation and
reconstruction activities. We encourage States and other relevant actors to provide
support through, inter alia, the allocation of funds.
76. We reaffirm that voluntary repatriation should not necessarily be conditioned
on the accomplishment of political solutions in the country of origin.
77. We intend to expand the number and range of legal pathways available for
refugees to be admitted to or resettled in third countries. In additi on to easing the
plight of refugees, this has benefits for countries that host large refugee populations
and for third countries that receive refugees.
78. We urge States that have not yet established resettlement programmes to
consider doing so at the earliest opportunity. Those which have already done so are
encouraged to consider increasing the size of their programmes. It is our aim to
provide resettlement places and other legal pathways for admission on a scale that
would enable the annual resettlement needs identified by the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to be met.
79. We will consider the expansion of existing humanitarian admission
programmes, possible temporary evacuation programmes, including evacuation for
medical reasons, flexible arrangements to assist family reunification, private
sponsorship for individual refugees and opportunities for labour mobility for
refugees, including through private sector partnerships, and for education, such as
scholarships and student visas.
80. We are committed to providing humanitarian assistance to refugees so as to
ensure essential support in key life-saving sectors, such as health care, shelter, food,
water and sanitation. We commit to supporting host countries and communities in
this regard, including by using locally available knowledge and capacities. We will
support community-based development programmes that benefit both refugees and
host communities.
81. We are determined to provide quality primary and secondary education in s afe
learning environments for all refugee children, and to do so within a few months of
the initial displacement. We commit to providing host countries with support in this
regard. Access to quality education, including for host communities, gives
fundamental protection to children and youth in displacement contexts, particularly
in situations of conflict and crisis.
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