Displacement from Syria and UNHCR’s Resettlement Process Community Sponsorship Preparation Workshop – COSLA – 19 February 2018

UNHCR’s Role in the UK Legal Intervention in Precedent Setting Cases Guidance on Refugee and Asylum Law and Policy Responding to Individual Queries Providing training to those working with asylum seekers and refugees Coordinating with the Home Office and other actors on Resettlement & Integration activities. QI Project - UNHCR works with the Home Office on improving the quality of first instance asylum decision-making.

Role in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

UNHCR Projected Global Resettlement Needs 2018 Almost 1.2 million refugees in need of resettlement in 2018 189,300 refugees resettled globally in 2016

Who qualifies for resettlement? The use of resettlement as a tool for international protection generally requires the identification of particularly vulnerable people within a much larger group of refugees. UNHCR supports the resettlement of individuals who: are determined to be refugees under UNHCR's mandate for whom resettlement is the most appropriate durable solution, and fall under UNHCR’s Resettlement Submission Categories. UNHCR urges resettlement States not to use integration potential and other discriminatory criteria (e.g. family size, age, health status, ethnicity and religion). Such discrimination undermines the protection and needs-based approach to resettlement creating inequalities and protection gaps, and limits access to resettlement by some refugees most at risk.

Resettlement International Solidarity International Protection Resettlement serves three purposes: Durable Solution Long-term response to displacement Addresses refugees’ legal and protection problems International Solidarity Tool of responsibility and burden sharing Respect by States for their international responsibilities vis-à-vis refugees International Protection Safeguarding life, liberty, safety and health of refugees Relocation to a country willing and able to provide protection

UNHCR Resettlement Categories LEGAL AND/OR PHYSICAL PROTECTION NEEDS To preserve a refugee’s fundamental human rights and to guarantee protection against threats that seriously jeopardize their continued stay in a country of refuge. Resettlement to reunite families with a family member already in a resettlement country. FAMILY REUNIFICATION Has experienced violence and/or torture that may have lingering physical and/or psychological effects and could face further trauma in the country of asylum. SURVIVOR OF VIOLENCE AND/OR TORTURE Women and girls who experience gender-specific protection problems and lack effective protection normally provided by family or community members. WOMEN AND GIRLS AT RISK Anyone under 18 years who has compelling protection needs or vulnerabilities not addressed in the country of asylum. CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AT RISK Lifesaving medical treatment that is unavailable or inaccessible in a country of refuge. MEDICAL NEEDS Lifesaving medical treatment that is unavailable or inaccessible in a country of refuge Refugees unable to return home and have no opportunity to establish themselves in their country of refuge. In many cases, these refugees are in protracted refugee situations. LACK OF ALTERNATIVE DURABLE SOLUTIONS

Referral mechanism in MENA

Home visits to assess vulnerability In Lebanon 2017 - 4,950 households / 24,000 persons visited by partners

Resettlement Process 1. REGISTRATION UNHCR/ State collect: Biodata and biometrics Preliminary vulnerabilities Protection concerns 2. IDENTIFICATION PRE ASSESSMENT Phone-call t verify: Whereabouts Family composition Willingness to relocate 3. IDENTIFICATION ASSESSMENT Interview focus on: Vulnerability criteria If case complexity means case cannot be submitted 6. SECOND REVIEW and SUBMISSION MENA Protection Service ensures consistency and meets regional policy 5. RESETTLEMENT ASSESMENT Interviewer complete assessment Reviewer sign off on assessment 4. RESETTLEMENT INTERVIEW Collect refugee claim Refugee assessment Credibility Verify resettlement need 7. ASSESSMENT by UK AUTHORITIES May apply own criteria Additional security vetting Inform decision 8. Pre-DEPARTURE PROCESSING Cultural orientation - Medical checks Visas 9. DEPARTURE PROCESSING IOM books flights - UNHCR/IOM request permission for exit IOM facilitates departure

How is the VPRS going? As at September 2017, 9,394 refugees have been resettled On track to meet target of 20,000 refugees by 2020 UNHCR Study (2017): Towards Integration The programme is working well Refugees were impressed with support from Government, Local Authorities (LAs) and civil society Some room for improvement UK resettlement retains a strong focus on protection needs and vulnerability

UNHCR Resettlement and Family Reunification Family reunification is rarely used as a submission category (1% of all resettlement cases) Refugees must normally meet protection needs/vulnerability threshold first. The presence of extended family members is a consideration for which country UNHCR submits a case to.

Family Links Information Sharing Form - FLIS Who is this form for? Individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) who wish to notify UNHCR that they have family members registered with UNHCR abroad. It should be filled out by refugees with the assistance of LAs. Is this form an “application”? No. This form is not an application for family reunion and submitting this form to UNHCR does not mean that relatives will necessarily be considered for UNHCR resettlement. What happens to the form? UNHCR London sends to field offices who consider any protection concerns mentioned and may consider resettlement eligibility. Only those who are being considered for resettlement will be contacted.

Family Links Information Sharing Form Can a family get updates on whether they are being considered for resettlement? UNHCR in London cannot provide updates Family in the UK should be encouraged to contact their relatives for any updates Only refugees being considered for resettlement will be contacted There are UNHCR hotlines in every operation (but capacity is limited) There are 5.3 million refugees in MENA Some operations have online status tracking (e.g. Turkey) which refugees will be shown - results.unhcr.org.tr

Q&A