An urgent need exists for real cooperation and concerted efforts by states to address conflict, climate change and other root causes of displacement ~ Soufiane Adjali
With conflict, climate change and other crises driving unprecedented levels of forced displacement worldwide, there has never been a greater need for real cooperation and strategic action. In this exclusive interview for CorD Magazine, Soufiane Adjali discusses the alarming global trends of displacement, the challenges of addressing humanitarian needs and efforts underway in Serbia to strengthen the asylum system, support refugee integration and combat statelessness.
We are bearing witness to the unprecedented scale of conflict and war worldwide, with images of human suffering often presented in both national and international media. Many people have been forced to flee their homes due to war and persecution. What does UNHCR’s data show about the number of forcibly displaced persons globally? And what is the situation like in Serbia?
— According to the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) 2024 Mid-Year Trends report, at the end of June 2024, 122.6 million people worldwide remained forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence and other human rights violations. What is particularly worrying is that the number of people remaining forcibly displaced has continued to grow for more than 12 years. The data also show that the vast majority of refugees – over 70% – are hosted in low and middle-income countries.
When it comes to Serbia, according to the data from the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, as of mid-November there were around 580 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in governmental centres. Additionally, around 250 people have been granted international protection in Serbia since the 2008 adoption of the Law on Asylum.
UNHCR is on the ground in 136 countries worldwide, working to support millions of forcibly displaced and stateless people. Unfortunately, with global forced displacement at historic highs, funding is falling short of meeting the practical needs on the ground.
Why is the gap between known humanitarian needs and funding to address them continuing to grow?
— The system for protecting people who have been forced to flee is under unprecedented strain. There is vast demand for UNHCR’s work because of persisting crises, but also new ones that have led to record numbers of people being uprooted by conflict. Many of them are now also impacted by disastrous climate events, which exacerbate their desperation and misery.
There is an urgent need for real cooperation and concerted efforts among countries to address conflict, climate change and other root causes of displacement. Solutions are harder to find, but UNHCR continues to make concerted, focused efforts both to expand sources of funding and to reshape the traditional paradigm through new approaches for people on the move, and the practical, coordinated development of synergies between humanitarian, development, private sector, host community and many other interested actors. Support from donors, including funding JPOs, is critical in this regard.
Could you tell us more about the focus of UNHCR’s work in Serbia?
— UNHCR has been present in Serbia since 1976. Two years from now, UNHCR will mark half a century of its active presence in the country. The focus of UNHCR’s work has shifted over the years to adapt to the context. Currently, in close collaboration with the Serbian authorities (the Interior Ministry, Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, various line ministries, independent bodies etc.), civil society and the diplomatic community, UNHCR has developed a multi-year strategy to guide our work over the next five years.
According to the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) 2024 Mid-Year Trends report, at the end of June this year, 122.6 million people worldwide remained forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence and other human rights violations
This strategy focuses on assisting the Serbian authorities to further strengthen their national asylum system, including the asylum procedure and reception conditions for asylum-seekers, bringing it closer to international standards. UNHCR also works to promote a positive narrative and welcoming attitudes towards forcibly displaced people, and advancing effective, tangible inclusion and integration opportunities.
Additionally, one of the main objectives of UNHCR’s remit is to work with the authorities on the prevention of statelessness and support to vulnerable Roma in accessing personal documents.
What are the most important measures implemented by UNHCR in Serbia to ensure the integration of refugees?
— UNHCR Serbia is trying to explore innovative and individualised approaches to inclusion and integration, taking into consideration refugees’ specific situation and needs, but also their unique skills and talents. For instance, UNHCR and IKEA last year launched the #ForRefugees private sector network in an effort to mobilise the support of socially responsible businesses for people forced to flee their homes and rebuild their lives from scratch in Serbia.
The private sector plays an increasingly significant role in supporting refugees through its commitment to the local communities, diversity and inclusion, as well as the sustainable development goals.
UNHCR is also strengthening its engagement with financial service providers, advocating the improved financial inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers. Access to bank accounts and other financial products are essential not only for their economic survival, but also for fostering meaningful integration, self-reliance and participation in economic and social life.
Additionally, UNHCR has been implementing the DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme in Serbia since 2021, enabling the first refugees here to access public tertiary education. UNHCR is proud of the six university students who are currently studying in Serbian successfully.
UNHCR has also led a notable global campaign to end statelessness. What is the situation in Serbia in this regard?
— This year marks the end of UNHCR’s decade-long #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness, which has mobilised action and raised awareness of this very important issue. Since the campaign’s 2014 launch, more than 500,000 stateless people and individuals with undetermined nationality globally acquired citizenship.
Serbia has also taken significant strides, with thousands of people receiving personal documents that grant them access to essential rights, including education, healthcare and employment.
Through legislative reform and the combined efforts of state institutions, international organisations and the non-governmental sector, Serbia has progressed in tackling this issue and serves as an example of good practice. Despite evident progress and results, all stakeholders need to continue working to resolve this problem as long as people remain at risk of statelessness in Serbia.
To continue global efforts to address statelessness after the conclusion of the #IBelong Campaign, the Global Alliance to End Statelessness was officially launched in Geneva in October this year, at the 75th session of the Executive Committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
This Global Alliance brings together states, intergovernmental organisations, UN agencies, civil society organisations, stateless-led organisations and others working to bring transformative change so that everyone can enjoy the right to a nationality without discrimination. UNHCR hopes that Serbia will join the Global Alliance to share its best practices and benefit from the experiences of others.