UNHCR Nation

al High School Model United Nations New York City | March 04-07, 2015

International Model United Nations Association High School Model United Nations New York City | March 04-07, 2015 IMUNA International Model United Nations Association Background Guide

Guide Model United Nations New City | March 04-07, 2015

JB MUN THE FIRST JB MUN--- JULY 14th---JULY 15th Dear Delegates, Welcome to JBMUN 2017! We cordially invite you to JBMUN and assure to transport you to a great learning experience. I can’t believe that the JBMUN is about to commence…time flies when you’re having fun! But actually, preparing for this conference has been a blast, especially when it is spiced with hardwork, commitment, enthusiasm and a zest to achieve new horizons. So you should all pat yourselves on the back right now. A few words about our mentor and guide- MR SKAND AGARWAL, SECRETARY GENERAL JBMUN. A JBA alumni, he has been participating in MUN since his freshman year of high school, which was in 2015. I am thrilled that you all have the opportunity to take part in the incredible committees we have to offer this year; you will most certainly not be disappointed. Also, as you prepare for the conference, do not forget that you have a wide variety of resources available to you. Your

Dr. Anita Shukla

{DIRECTOR GENERAL}

Skand Agarwal

{SECRETARY GENERAL}

Hospitality group

-Chinmay Singh

-Shreevats

Press corps

-Vidushi Singh

-Yashkant Pandey

-Shriya Mishra

Advertising group

-Ananya shukla

-Akhya Dubey

-Shriya Mishra

Art Group

-Mahak Sadhwani

-Aditi Singh

Director General, Secretary General, are more than willing to give advice on any aspect of the discussion, so please do not hesitate to contact us. I am especially happy to help newer delegates who may not have a lot of Model UN experience, so if you are not sure what is expected in a position paper or do not know where to begin your research, please contact us. There is no such thing as a stupid question! Everyone is new to Model UN at least once, and it is my job to make sure you have the best possible experience. I look forward to meeting you all on 14th and 15th July 2017 Warm Regards Dr Anita Shukla and Skand Agarwal Director General , Secretary General

TABLE OF CONTENTS A Note from the Director General

From the desk of Press Corps

Hospitality team of JBMUN

Simulation

Rules of procedure

Defining a Refugee .

UNHCR’s Current Work Topic A: Living Conditions and Sanitation in Refugee Camps

Introduction History and Description of the Issue Structural Issues

Water and Sanitation

Waste Disposal

Nutrition

Living Conditions

Medical Challenges

Current Status

Solutions in Place

Bloc Analysis

Africa

Middle East

East Asia

South America

Western Bloc

Committee Mission

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL Esteemed Faculty and Delegates, Hello and welcome to JBMUN 2017! My name is Dr Anita Shukla and I am the Director General of the Organizing Committee of this session. I hope you are as excited as I am to experience the Discussion. Our organising committee has been working all days long to ensure that you have an engaging, educational, and rewarding experience in this first time ever -‘JBMUN’. It strives to assure:

Unmatched debate and good quality discussion Focuses on the educational value of Model UN. Class-room discussions going beyond the curriculum and

adequately empowering children with confidence and leadership qualities.

Well-researched, realistic, and diplomatic debate.

We are thrilled with the substantive program for JBMUN 2017and look forward to a vibrant discussion and cooperation. We feel strongly that the interpersonal connections made during debate are enhanced by face-to-face communication. JBMUN Team strives to have a fruitful discussion and produce resolutions on a single topic; prioritizing the quality of discussion. In order to respect the gravity of the issues being discussed here the two days session will focus on addressing one topic in-depth. It is my sincerest hope that your experience at JBNUM 2017will be challenging and thought provoking. Warm regards Dr Anita Shukla Director-General, JBMUN 2017

FROM THE DESK OF PRESS CORPS . The primary purpose of the Press Corps is to facilitate informational

transfers between participants in the Academy Model United Nations

(AMUN.) These committees include the General Assemblies, crisis

committees, and other specialized and regional bodies. Press Corps

communicates with these committees, but does not participate in the

process of debating itself. Thus, it is requisite that members of this

committee conduct research about the pertinent topics that will be

discussed in other sessions. Delegates in Press Corps, therefore

achieve a comprehensive view of the economic, social, and political

states of the countries being represented. This allows them to take on

the role of a global journalistic body, with delegates reporting on the

discussions that take place during the conference. Delegates must be

skillful writers with the ability to transmit information efficiently, and

must also have strong abilities in multimedia and data compilation.

Members of the Press Corps produce detailed articles which are

assembled in a collective newsletter that is distributed to other

delegates at the conclusion of the conference. Conclusively, the Press

Corps have available communication channels to update other

committees on relevant information, as well as to consolidate the

topics that are discussed at individual committees' meetings.

Warm Regards

Vidushi Singh

Chief Press corps

HOSPITALITY TEAM OF JB MUN

Dear Delegates,

A very warm welcome to all of you in the first JB MUN, We look

forward to a healthy and fruitful discussion ahead. The hospitality

team of JB MUN is all set to ensure safety and comfort of each and

every delegate who has endeavoured to participate in the discussion.

We look forward to providing adequate infrastructure, comfort and try

to be a good host at the service of all the delegates. Our top priority

will be to ensure a comfortable stay of all the delegates as well as

providing them sumptuous refreshments from time to time.

May all the delegates make full use of all the sessions of JB MUN and

learn as much as they can.

We assure to address all the queries of all the delegates besides being

a good host.

Warm Regards Chinmay Singh Chief Hospitality Team

SIMULATION Active participation in Model United Nations demands that delegates

step outside of their comfort zones and draw from both research and

their own unique backgrounds to develop global solutions.

Through the discussions of this committee, delegates will have

the opportunity to engage with prevalent and persistent real-

world issues.

The debate that will occur over the course of the conference will

always abide by the rules of parliamentary procedure detailed in the

Delegate Preparation Guide. To ensure the efficiency and realism of

the simulation, it is vital that the committee reviews and adheres to

the procedural structure that follows the actual United Nations

procedure. Delegates should come prepared with sufficient

knowledge of their country’s position and policy. For delegates to

fully grasp their country’s perspective on the topics that UNHCR will

be covering, it is wise to research former resolutions and to note

where their state stands on a variety of similar issues. Debate will be

facilitated by the dais, which will consist of the Director and

Secretary General. Together the dais team will serve both substantive

and procedural roles, providing the delegates with research materials

and acting as experts on the topics. Throughout the conference, the

dais will be responsible for overseeing the committee and

ensuring that decorum is maintained during the sessions.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

Two types of debate will be conducted during the sessions:

Formal

Speakers list

Informal

Moderated caucus

Unmoderated caucus

1. Delegates are advised to place themselves on the Speakers'

List at the beginning of the session to ensure that fellow

delegates hear the opinion of the countries.

2. The structured format of moderated caucuses will allow for

intense discussion on specific aspects of the topic for a set

period of time.

3. During moderated caucuses, the Speakers' List will not be in

effect; delegates will be recognized by the dais to speak on an

individual basis, usually for a shorter period of time than

typical speeches on the Speakers' List.

Unmoderated caucuses allow for a more casual style of discussion

where delegates are urged to form groups to collaborate on ideas for

possible working papers.

4. Delegates should use their time wisely during unmoderated

caucuses and strive to actively collaborate with each other.

5. The dais will expect the committee to maintain decorum

while others are speaking and respect the fact that other

committees will be convening in nearby rooms.

6. While preparing working papers and draft resolutions, it will

be of utmost importance for delegates to apply the knowledge

they have of their countries’ positions to the topics and work

with countries who have similar views.

7. It is important to adhere to your country’s stance on the

issue; however, delegates should be open to some level of

compromise as it is very unlikely that all countries have the

same view on every aspect of the topic.

8. If multiple working papers are created, the dais will expect

the basis of each paper to be unique. If working papers are

more alike, delegates should work to consolidate their papers

before they seek approval by the dais.

TOPIC: HEALTH ISSUES OF REFUGEES

Historical Background The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is one of several bodies created by the international community to provide protection and assistance to refugees. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950. UNHCR was originally given a three-year mandate to help the 1.2 million European refugees that were left homeless after World War II, but as the refugee crisis grew around the world, the mandate was extended to five years. Today UNHCR is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations. Its staff employs over 7,000 personnel who help more than 33.9 million people in over 120 countries. During its more than 60 years of operation, UNHCR has earned two Nobel Peace Prizes, one in 1954 and the other in 1981.

Establishment of UNHCR The end of World War II coincided with the beginning of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Several events – including Mao Zedong’s victory in China, the Berlin Blockade, the separation of Germany, and the start of the Korean War – made the international community realize that the problem of refugees was not a temporary issue. Every crisis meant new outflows of refugees. The UN General Assembly discussed the formation of a body with the power to raise funds and disperse them to refugees. A UNHCR Statute was adopted on 14 December 1950. It was defined by two primary functions

1. to provide international protection for refugees; and to seek permanent solutions to the problem of refugees. Although UNHCR does not have the mandate to negotiate peace settlements, it can help governments facilitate voluntary repatriation or hosting of refugees. On 28 July 1951, the UN held an international conference that produced the Convention on the Status of Refugees. The Convention defined the term refugee according the concept of “well-founded fear of persecution.”After the Soviet Union suppressed a

Hungarian uprising in 1956, there was a huge outpouring of refugees from Hungary. This became the first refugee crisis for the newly formed UNHCR, which worked with those who were fleeing political repression. It was also the first time UNHCR collaborated with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross Societies. During this crisis, UNHCR protected refugees who fled to Austria and to Yugoslavia, as well as those resettling in 35 other countries all over the world, with voluntary repatriation of some to Hungary. The crisis and UNHCR’s successful management and assistance caused the General Assembly to label refugees as a global issue. Thus, the successful protection of Hungarian refugees marked UNHCR’s transition from a small UN body to a larger organization with more responsibilities and enhanced international prestige. UNHCR’s Current Work Almost all of UNHCR’s funding comes from voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental organizations, corporations and individuals. The budget was recently divided into two parts: (1) general programs supporting basic operations to support refugees worldwide and (2) special programs covering emergencies, voluntary repatriation, and non-refugee programs. Defining a Refugee A refugee is recognized as an individual who is not protected by his government due to his race, religion, ethnicity, or political status. The most prominent international legal framework that protects refugees is the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which state that a refugee is:

A person who is outside his or her country of nationality or habitual residence.

has a well founded fear of being persecuted because of his or her race, religion, nationality.

Is a member of a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail him or herself the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.

UNHCR protects refugees and helps those who are resettling into a new environment. Also, UNHCR promotes agreements between international refugees, as well as monitors governments involved in refugee disputes and displacement. The Office coordinates the provision and delivery of items, such as shelter, food, water, and medical supplies. UNHCR continues to uphold the right of any individual to seek asylum, securely live in another country, and voluntarily repatriate to their home country. Even still, UNHCR recognizes the need to counter existing preconceptions of xenophobia and racism. Response to refugee problems has evolved over the last more than 60 years and shows many signs of continuing evolution.

LIVING CONDITIONS AND SANITATION IN REFUGEE CAMPS

INTRODUCTION The growth of refugees since the conclusion of World War II is one of the most concerning developments in human security that the United Nations addresses. When the United Nations High Commission on Refugees was first established, there were approximately one million refugees world-wide. Today that number has increased to approximately 10.4 million people by official UNHCR measures. As the number of total refugees has increased, there has also been an increased global need to provide shelter to these displaced persons, leading to the creation of refugee camps. Developing refugee camps has become an almost universal response by the international community in trying to alleviate the plight of refugees. Furthermore, while the exact number of refugee living in camps is unclear, it has been confirmed that over 4.8 million refugees reside in 60 Middle-Eastern camps alone. While refugee camps are currently one of the most effective options in assisting refugees, the ability to provide

proper living conditions in these camps has become increasingly difficult. It will be our duty as members of UNHCR to confront the issues of living conditions and sanitation in refugee camps. One of the biggest obstacles that has perpetuated the deteriorating conditions in many refugee camps is the sheer number of people now residing within them. For example, the three largest refugee camps in the world are located in Dadaab, Kenya, Dollo Ado, Ethiopia, and Kakuma, Kenya. These camps currently house 402,361, 198,462, and 124,814 people, respectively. Due to overpopulation, overstaying, and lack of resources, many camps are now facing issues ranging from access to water and basic nutrition to increasing cases of mental illness. Furthermore, there have been recent developments that have exposed the seriousness of these issues. The most notable of these examples is the current situation in Syria. A recent profile of the Bab al- Salameh camp inside Syria revealed the horrid conditions for more than 20,000 refugees: “walking through the camp, the smell of feces follows you everywhere. Green water runs through ditches, a combination of detergent, urine, and who knows what else. Children play with diapers on the ground, dirt covering their faces like makeup.” This Background Guide will attempt to cover a variety of the wide range of issues that have made it increasingly difficult to effectively run refugee camps and assist refugees. Topics covered will range from logistical issues about the camps themselves, such as structural problems, waste disposal, and living conditions, to problems that refugees face directly, such as water sanitation, nutrition, and medical issues. DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE Structural Issues

The most basic issues in refugee camps revolve simply around numbers and space. In the past, UNHCR’s guidelines for the

establishment and maintenance of refugee camps have garnered criticism for being too stringent and “one-size-fits-all”.

In a critique published in the Force Migration Review (FMR),

the chief operator of a Sri Lankan refugee camp, Jim Kennedy, explains many of the issues concerning the basic structures of refugee camps.

In the report, he reflects on how UNHCR regulations at times

pose difficulties in running effective camps. When dealing with the issue of actually plotting the camps, he states: “UNHCR does not give any numeric guidelines for how much area should be taken up by all the non-residential buildings – schools, clinics, warehouses, administration offices and community centers.” According to Kennedy, such lack of detail leads to ineffective planning of many refugee camps.

The only guideline given by UNHCR is that each refugee family

should be allotted 45 square meters of living space. However, without establishing standards for the non-residential aspects of refugee camps, non-residential spaces are often much too large or much too small, and the recommended 45 square meters of space is often not met.

Another planning fault is that often coordinators underestimate

how long the camp will be in use. Consequently, the camp is not prepared for a continually growing population and the issues that come along with growth.

Kennedy describes the situation as such: “The reality is that the

average lifespan of a refugee camp is close to seven years…As the lifespan of a camp can never be accurately predicted, planners must take a long-term perspective.”

An inability to account for the population growth that occurs over the lifespan of a refugee camp leads to overcrowding.

While such issues seem basic, seen individually, they each feed into each other and create an interconnected set of problems in refugee camps that UNHCR must address.

An example highlighting these exact issues is unfolding in the

Domiz refugee camp, an Iraqi refugee camp currently housing Syrian refugees. The camp, when originally constructed, was intended to house 25,000 people, but with the crisis persisting, it now houses over 50,000 people.

According to IRIN reports, in Domiz it is typical for one septic

tank to be shared by over 25 families. When these tanks fill—which takes only about two days—it overflows and mixes with the already low amount of clean water.

A refugee residing in the camp commented that “In the three

months I have been living here, government contractors have emptied the tank three times. I once had to resort to paying the truck driver 5,000 Iraqi dinars (USD 4.30) to empty it.” Many of the camp’s issues obviously come from the fact that they are operating far over maximum capacity.

However, there are still significant structural problems with the camp that force new and unnecessary burdens onto already struggling refugees.

Water distribution at the camp is tragically inadequate, with

many families getting only around four liters a day—although an individual alone is estimated to need two liters a day—and some simply not getting water at all.

Incidences of the consequences of such of a lack of clean water,

such as measles, diarrhea, and cholera, have all increased by over 15% in the last three months.

Toril Brekke, the acting secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, expressed concerns: “The Syrian refugees have the same right to vital assistance, wherever they seek protection. However, it has - unfortunately due to various political and economic reasons - been very difficult to attract funding to the projects in Iraq, and the refugees are the ones paying the price.”

The lack of funding for refugee camps results in structural issues

that cause widespread disease and it is crucial to address water supply structures.

Structural issues are some of the most important topics to

understand because they are at the root of many other problems. Furthermore, in order to solve many of the complex problems that refugees face inside these refugee camps, our committee will have to solve many of the basic ones first.

Water and Sanitation As a result of overcrowding and other structural issues, refugees

face the more complex issue of sanitation, making refugees more prone to illness, malnutrition, and even death.

The greatest sanitation concern in refugee camps is water.

According to UNHCR, over half of the existing refugee camps in the world are not able to adequately provide enough sanitary water, which is 20

liters per person, to their inhabitants. This water is critical for both hydration and sanitation camps do not have proper waste disposal and latrine facilities.

Providing these staples is essential to keeping order in refugee

camps, in addition to upholding human rights. Without proper nourishment, people become desperate, creating the risk of violence.

In one eyewitness account a UNHCR worker reported, “I spent years in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, and there I watched two young boys, perhaps twelve years old, fighting so viciously over [water] rations that one kicked the other to death. He had not intended to kill his foe, of course, but [they] were young and very weak.”While this story is incredibly tragic, it shows that poor sanitation is not only deadly because of its physical effects, but also because it leads to desperation and violence, which only compound its negative impact.

Water-borne diseases found in refugee camps have two primary

causes: lack of access to water and, specifically, to sanitary water. A Unite for Sight report concluded that, “Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya found that there were 11 cholera cases among the households who had access to 110L/day.

There were 32 cases of cholera among the households who had

access to 44L/day, and 163 people amongst households with access to only 37L of water per day.” Cholera, diarrhea, and other diseases all stem from not consuming both adequate amounts and sanitary water, contamination and spouted to improve pouring.

In the study, it was concluded that “these improved buckets had

fecal coliform values that were 53.35% lower than the control vessels.”

Even such simple changes can do much to improve the conditions regarding water and sanitation in refugee camps.

Sanitation problems also arise when waste disposal and latrine

facilities are inadequate. For example, “camps that provided sanitation facilities had cholera rates of 1.6 cases per 1,000 people, while camps that had no such facilities had cholera rates that were four times greater (4.0-4.3 cases per 1,000 people).”

These problems that refugees face on a daily basis are extremely simple to solve.

However, when they go unaddressed they can be a large hindrance and sometimes even fatal to the refugees living inside camps

Waste Disposal

Although waste disposal has been touched upon in this background guide already, the significance of this seemingly simple issue cannot be stressed enough especially with its strong relation to sanitation. Many camps lack the knowledge and resources to properly dispose of waste, resulting in poor living conditions and widespread disease.

There are three main aspects of waste disposal that, when

performed improperly, degrade conditions in refugee camps: body waste disposal, food waste disposal, and non-degradable waste disposal.

An Oxfam report on waste disposal states that as “rats and flies

breed [in] human and food waste piles, these animals are vectors for malaria, dengue, lymphatic filariasis and yellow fever amongst others.”

Refugees often resort to dumping human waste into rivers, or

simply as far away from living areas as possible, which results in increased chances of disease. The storage of bio-degradable waste in public areas, which is commonplace inside camps, also helps foster the spread of disease.

Waste disposal is often a silent killer within refugee camps

because many NGOs and aid agencies prioritize seemingly more immediate issues like food, shelter, and water first.

However, as explained above, because of the alarming chances of catching life-threatening diseases, waste disposal is an issue that requires immediate attention. Finally, the burning of trash such as glass and assorted plastics releases poisonous toxins into the air. Not only are these fumes environmentally hazardous, but they are dangerous for humans if burned too close to refugee camps.

Nutrition

According to a case study of malnutrition in refugee camps, at least 21.5 million of the displaced persons in the world deal with some form of malnutrition.

In this case study, a strong emphasis is placed on malnutrition

experienced by children, as it is much more dangerous and has more serious long-term effects. The report further detailed “in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, a study revealed unacceptably high levels of acute [temporary] global malnutrition (17.2%) and chronic [long-term] malnutrition (12.6%) in children six to 59 months of age.”

These statistics are alarmingly high, but unfortunately not

uncommon in refugee camps, especially for children. As noted by UNHCR, lack of proper nutrition can lead to the

manifestation of other issues inside refugee camps.

There has been a reported positive correlation between domestic violence and other forms of aggravated crime when refugees receive a lower caloric intake than the recommended 2,100.

According to António Guterres, UNHCR's High Commissioner, “When food becomes scarce, refugees often turn to desperate measures to feed themselves and their families. We are particularly worried about the health of the refugee population,

domestic violence and refugees resorting to illegal employment or even to prostitution, just to put enough food on the table."

The refugee crisis in Syria is once again a very good example of how nutritional issues lead to violence between refugees. According to the World Food Programme’s Global Food Security

Update in 2014, 9.9 million people—half of Syria’s population—are unable to buy sufficient food for their usual consumption.

This report identified 6.3 million people as “highly vulnerable” and “in critical need of sustained food assistance,” which represents over a 50% increase since the last estimate was presented in June 2013.

Refugees in Syria suffer from greater hardships than just the lack of food, but hardships that may result from such malnutrition. Refugee camps in Syria have shown upticks in violence as high as 12%.

UNHCR plays a key role in addressing all of these issues; other issues that are often overlooked when trying to defend these refugees are some of the more basic goals in the UNCHR mandate.

Living Conditions Although the rights to proper housing or shelter are less clearly

defined in the Declaration on Human Rights, refugees should be provided with a stable and secure environment while residing in refugee camps. Without proper shelter, the day-to-day challenges refugees face are magnified.

One of the biggest issues with housing is its increasing price

inside refugee camps. When refugees overspend their budget on

housing, other essentials such as food, water, and education suffer.

In a 2014 UNHCR study it was concluded that, “rents for Syrian [refugees] rose in 2012 and 2013 by as much as 25 per cent. Rent was about $190 on average and accounted for almost two thirds of refugee expenditure. Half of Syria's refugees feel they live in inadequate dwellings, including badly ventilated apartments that suffer from damp or moulds.”

As previously stated, devoting an overabundance of resources to one priority, in this case housing, negatively affects refugees across the board. The report noted that large numbers of refugees, when stretched financially, turn to “negative coping mechanisms” to make ends meet.

These mechanisms include crimes such as prostitution, the trade of illicit drugs, and theft to make up for lost revenue. Furthermore, there was a 5% increase in school dropout rates in Syrian refugee camps as children are forced to earn money to support their family.

Tragically, the necessity of children having to help support their families perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty.

While many refugees around the world currently suffer from horrid living conditions, there are also, examples of effective construction and maintenance of refugee camps. Until recently, Turkey had been criticized for its limited response to refugee crises around the world. However, in the recent Syrian refugee crisis, Turkey’s independent refugee camp Kilis, which houses 14,000 refugees, has been praised as being the most well-run refugee camp in the world.

Day-to-day operations in Kilis differ from normal refugee camps. UNHCR and other international bodies have very little involvement with the camp, as Kilis is almost exclusively run by the Turkish government. While this process is more expensive for the country of refuge, it has yielded great results.

When the New York Times reported on the camp, the money that Turkey had invested was present in the form of overall cleanliness and amenities uncharacteristic of a refugee camp.

It was described as such: “Residents scan a card with their fingerprints for entry, before they pass through metal detectors and run whatever items they’re carrying through an X-ray machine. Inside, it’s stark: 2,053 identical containers spread out in neat rows. No tents.”

Furthermore, were often described as better than the public schools children attended in Syria. Refugee camps of this sort are much more of an exception than the rule.

However, UNHCR intends for all refugee camps to be able to facilitate and provide opportunities for people that are struggling. One way to do this is for countries to put a large amount of responsibility on themselves, increasing their capability to significantly alleviate the plight of refugees as seen in the Kilis camp.

UNHCR intends to reach a point where most camps operate similarly to Kilis as opposed to the run-down camps that are often associated with sheltering refugees.

Medical Challenges

Often overlooked in refugee camps are the medical hardships faced by refugees and the lack of refugee camps is often ignored in favour of providing more basic provisions like food, water and shelter.

However, these issues are just as important and should be

addressed. Specifically, mental health support is severely lacking. A 2003 study revealed that 73.5% of “Somali refugees in a Ugandan refugee settlement … reported witnessing dead or mutilated bodies, while 69.3% reported witnessing or experiencing a shelling or bomb attack.”

It is often forgotten that refugees are created because they are

fleeing from persecution or violence, making it extremely common for refugees to have experienced traumatic events. As a result, refugees tend to have high rates of depression, PTSD, and suicide. When these issues go unaddressed the living conditions inside a refugee camp are diminished.

Numbers detailing these issues are well chronicled in the same report: “Sudanese refugees living in northern Uganda found that PTSD was prevalent among 50.5% of the refugees. Even two decades after the trauma experienced in Cambodia, studies show that 62% of adult refugees still suffer from PTSD and 51% suffer from depression.”

Another less quantifiable issue relating to refugees and mental

health is the trauma from homesickness. Although there is little concrete data to show the actual effects homesickness has on refugees, issues such as not being able to speak your native tongue, not being able to partake in pastimes and traditions, and simply no longer being a part of your former community are speculated to magnify refugees’ struggles with mental health. These numbers, while alarming, are preventable.

Collective action from this committee can lead to

comprehensive solutions to fix preventable issues such as problems with mental health.

CURRENT STATUS The difficulty of maintaining livable refugee camps only

escalates as the number of total refugees increases and existing camps grow older. According to UNHCR statistics there are over 15 million refugees worldwide, 10.5 million of which fall directly under the UNHCR mandate. This discrepancy comes from internally displaced persons and those who have not applied for refugee status, although UNHCR protects these persons regardless of their status.

An alarming statistic that has already stirred controversy in the

international community is that 80% of the world’s refugees are housed in developing countries as opposed to 70% a decade ago.

This statistic means that the developed countries that have the

resources to run effective camps, have not been contributing as much to the effort as less developed countries have. A large reason for this is that developing countries are geographically closer to many crises that result in refugees, but there is still speculation that developed countries could offer more assistance.

One particular example that has garnered negative media

attention is the refugee asylum protests in Australia. The number of refugees residing within the country has decreased by 9% over the last year, which was compounded with even more criticism when an Australian citizen was quoted saying, "They're illegal. They're jumping the queue. Every day, the news is reporting another boat has arrived and another boat has arrived. It's feeding this idea that we're being flooded."

This CNN report goes on to give more concerning facts,

including that Palestine, a country caught in perpetual turmoil itself, houses the third most refugees in the world with 1.7 million refugees. Finally, the fact that 17% of all refugees do not even reside outside their country of origin indicates that

developed countries could share more of the burden than they currently are.

Although finding refuge in a far away, developed country is

logistically and financially more challenging then doing so in nearby

countries, the ability for developed countries to alleviate the burden on developing countries, as well as provide positive opportunities to refugees themselves, is something this committee needs to capitalize on.

Other current refugee developments around the world are

centered on the problem areas; these regions have either the most recent refugee crises (as in the cases of Ukraine and Syria) or the most embedded and longest lasting, as in the case of Sub-Saharan Africa. These areas in particular have shown increasing numbers of refugees as well as an array of other issues. The crises in these three regions contribute to the growing number of forcibly displaced people worldwide.

The only true differentiating factor between forced displacement

and refugee status is whether or not the person is actively seeking refugee status. For the first time since after World War II there are over 50 million persons suffering from forced displacement, demonstrating the necessity for UNHCR to increase global assistance.

This statistic is an incredibly alarming current development

considering we are living in times of relative international peace.

In the short term, however, it is worth noting that new refugee

camps have tried to eliminate some of the issues that have plagued older ones. UNHCR in late May of 2014 opened the Al Azraq refugee camp in Jordan, which is intended to house around 100,000 refugees.

Whether or not these new methods will improve the lives of refugees in camps will be tested over the next several years. Finally, with current developments both adding and detracting to our cause we can see UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations alike taking

matters into their own hands and pioneering new solutions. Solutions in Place

UNHCR has been facilitating numerous international conventions over the last year in order to deal with and address many of the world’s most pressing refugee crises.

In May of 2014 there was a conference specifically addressing

the needs of Afghani refugees entitled, "International Conference

on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to Support Voluntary Repatriation, Sustainable Reintegration and Assistance to Host Countries."

According to UNHCR, there was significant headway made in

the expansion and improvement of refugee camps housing Afghani refugees. The conference was reported to have “discussed the reintegration of returnees in Afghanistan

BLOC ANALYSIS Africa

While there have been slight improvements in poverty rates and health in Sub-Saharan Africa, it remains one of the most concerning regions of the world for UNHCR. Currently there are 3.4 million refugees in Sub-Saharan Africa, up from 3.1 million in 2012, and 5.4 million internally displaced people

Furthermore, many African countries, such as Ethiopia and

Kenya, are currently housing large numbers of refugees. African countries should hence be extremely concerned with the state of refugee camps. Since the maintenance of these camps is often

financially straining, these countries should want to see cost effective solutions but also ones that provide adequate shelter to refugees.

African countries often have worked closely with numerous NGOs over the years. These countries often know the core issues that plague refugees but do not have capacity to solve them on their own. Developing countries play a critical role in solving this issue.

As there is a large amount of displacement in African countries

there are very few states that do not have a vested interest in the plight of refugee camps. Furthermore, as developing countries, African states have been critical about the lack of assistance from other regions of the world.

Middle East

The Middle East has a very high concentration of refugees as well. Violent conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, and Palestine make the Middle East the region with the highest number of refugees, at over 5 million.

There are numerous cultural and regional conflicts currently

occurring in this portion of the world, but this should not play a part in international humanitarian efforts. Like Africa, Middle

Eastern countries want to see low-cost, but effective, solutions.

Furthermore, Middle Eastern countries, due to cultural differences and previous history with Western states, want to see a higher participation from the West in providing asylum to the growing numbers of worldwide refugees.

Finally, there is more of a feeling of urgency concerning the

Middle East than other parts of the world. As one UNHCR aid said regarding the growing violence, “the refugee and displacement problem is one of the most complex humanitarian issues facing the Middle-East. These countries want to see increased assistance in their own borders through increased

NGO presence as well as more support from developed countries.

East Asia

Countries in Eastern Asia, especially South-eastern Asia, face refugee issues as equally concerning as those faced by African and Middle Eastern countries. Countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar are hotbeds of human displacement.

Delegates representing these countries will seek solutions very

similar to the two aforementioned regions of the world.

However, one unique issue Southeast Asian countries face is that they lack legislation defining the rights for refugees applying for asylum. Aside from improving the situation in refugee camps, such as sanitation and living conditions, these countries may also want to look into rectifying the lack of legislation in their countries. Clearly defined rights of refugees will help the long-term situations of refugees within their borders.

South America

Refugee issues in the South American bloc mostly stem from the forced displacement of families due to government corruption and violent crime from the South American drug trade. Since many South American countries have a slightly better financial situation than previously mentioned regions, they have access to resources and can bridge developing countries and the developed world.

South American countries are in a more capable position than

many other countries in dealing with the refugee crisis. However, these states still see themselves as also impoverished. While these countries can afford increased participation, as a whole South American states are not excited about the idea.

However, in this period of international relations, it would be expected for these countries to take on a larger role. As for possible solutions, South American countries have the position to be

facilitators due to their unique perspective of having refugee issues but also having resources.

Western Bloc Western countries have little to no refugee situations of their own.

Furthermore, they have been criticized by the international community for not hosting as many refugees as they could. Western states have the disposable income to provide monetary and technological resources for proposed solutions in UNHCR.

The position of Western countries should be that of innovation

and facilitation. In order to assist refugees as well as keep refugee populations low in their own countries, Western states will want to provide as much assistance as possible to improving existing refugee camps’ conditions.

Furthermore, although these countries are geographically

separated from many of the world’s most problematic areas, they should explore solutions to make asylum realistic for refugees. Finally, these countries’ complex refugee legislations makes asylum difficult, rendering reforms to these laws crucial.

RESEARCH AND PREPARATION QUESTIONS As mentioned in the Note on Research and Preparation, delegates must answer each of these questions in their position papers. TOPIC A

1. Where are the camps in most need of assistance? What characteristics make them so poor in quality?

2. Which regions of the world require the most assistance?

3. Is there a particular age demographic of people that require immediate

assistance? Could this information contribute to developing solutions?

4. How can we improve existing camps instead of constructing new ones?

5. How can new technology be implemented into helping improve living conditions?

6. Are there legal actions that can be pursued to assist refugees?

7. How do we create sustainable, long-term solutions?