In Betou, Republic of the Congo, refugees from the DRC who could not find other accommodation live in an abandoned factory.

36 UNHCR Global Report 2010

INSecu r e wor k i ng conditions, lack of access to the displaced and a growing need to support host communities presented UNHCR with an

increasingly complex working environment in 2010. This frequently required that staff find new or alternative methods to provide even the most basic goods and services to refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and others of concern.

NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY

UNHCR reinforced its commitment to cover the nutritional needs of people of concern. This included the renewal and updating of its Memorandum of Understanding with WFP. To cope with the rising number of refugees and IDPs living in urban areas, UNHCR and WFP worked together on joint assessments to develop guidelines for urban programming. In addition, evaluations of multi-storey gardening projects currently underway in Ethiopia and Kenya produced recommendations on how to expand such projects to strengthen refugee nutrition and livelihoods.

Anaemia continued to be a severe problem in many refugee situations. Eight out of ten camps surveyed in 2010 showed anaemia levels of 40 per cent or more in children under the age of five. In 2010 UNHCR expanded support for anaemia control and prevention from 7 to 11 countries in its Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa regions.

The number of displacement sites in which malnutrition was measured rose by 60 per cent between

2009 and 2010. At the same time, proportionately fewer camps reported high levels of the most extreme forms of malnutrition. UNHCR adjusted its strategic plans for food security and nutrition to focus on preventing anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies; improving infant and young-child feeding practices; and enhancing the quality and coverage of malnutrition treatment services.

To improve the quality of the data collected for planning and monitoring purposes, UNHCR staff and partners were trained to conduct nutrition surveys, and an expert group was convened to look into the safety of new products to prevent and treat malnutrition in areas of high malaria transmission.

SHELTER AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE

In 2010, UNHCR worked to improve the quality of its shelter and infrastructure programmes in order to offer adequate housing and living space to refugees and others of concern. Nevertheless, basic standards for camps and settlements could not be met in many parts of the world, and the Office decided to focus on countries identified as most in need of attention, including Bangladesh, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen. The goal was to provide access to suitable and sufficient shelter space and ensure the compatibility of shelters with the local climate and the culture of the people of concern. Local construction materials were used and the quality of assistance was continuously monitored.

Shelter specialists were deployed to emergency operations worldwide in 2010, including in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Georgia, Iraq, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Yemen. Shelter strategies were developed and technical support extended to several major refugee operations worldwide.

UNHCR organized two workshops on physical planning and shelter in Nairobi and New Delhi involving regional technical staff, and staff of implementing partners and international and national NGOs. The workshops introduced the latest in camp and shelter design and technology to technical staff involved in camp planning and shelter construction.

Working with staff of other concerned agencies, UNHCR developed technical specifications for the long-awaited new family tent. As a member of the technical working group for the revision of the global Sphere Standards Project, which sets standards for humanitarian assistance and the quality of service delivery, UNHCR provided inputs which have been incorporated into the final version of the 2010-2011 publication of the Sphere standards.

UNHCR’s standby arrangements with RedR, MSB, DRC, SDC, UNV, Canadem and other partners allowed the deployment of camp planners and shelter specialists to Bangladesh, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Georgia, Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan and Yemen. Support arrangements with experts in other locations also proved useful. U

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WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH)

To maximize the impact of its activities, UNHCR focused its support for improved water, sanitation and hygiene conditions on 11 priority countries in 2010: Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Sudan and Yemen. Technical advice, field support, training and additional funding were provided to improve WASH conditions, particularly in protracted refugee situations. Operations in the East and Horn of Africa subregion received regular support from a regional WASH expert seconded from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). These efforts resulted in an increase in clean water supply in 19 refugee camps. However, only five camps targeted reached the standard of 20 liters per person per day.

UNHCR also strengthened its partnerships with NGOs and donors, and created new collaboration arrangements with university research centres and UN Habitat, thereby gaining expertise in solid-waste management in urban areas and strengthening WASH interventions in cities hosting refugees.

Two regional WASH training sessions were organized for operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Fifty staff with responsibilities for WASH management and shelter and site planning in refugee camps participated.

New methods of monitoring and evaluating WASH programmes will be included in the web-based health information system in 2011. This will allow UNHCR and its partners to improve analysis and interventions in WASH programmes, as well as to reduce morbidity and mortality among refugee populations.

PUBLIC HEALTH

With almost half of the world’s refugees now living outside camp settings, and a growing refugee population fleeing from middle-income countries, the demographic and epidemiological profiles of people of concern have changed. In 2010, UNHCR responded by ensuring that refugees and others of concern had access to affordable health services in urban areas. Operational

guidance for urban public health programming provides practical steps for the integration of people of concern into government health services, while avoiding parallel programmes whenever possible.

In protracted refugee situations, UNHCR focused on upholding the quality of health programmes. Measures undertaken included the establishment of standardized clinical protocols and drug-management and laboratory services, and improved monitoring of these programmes. With the establishment of the web-based health information system, WebHIS, easily accessible and timely interpretation of data has enabled staff to prioritize action and reporting in protracted settings.

UNHCR received support from the “Nothing but Nets” campaign in 11 countries in 2010. An evaluation of the impact of bed-net usage in refugee camps has begun in those countries. The use of smart phones for bed-net retention surveys in 2010 made the collection and analysis of data more efficient.

Contributions from the United Nations Central Fund for Influenza Action have helped UNHCR to improve its own capacity and that of its partners to prevent and respond to epidemics. Interventions have also focused on improving existing health, water and sanitation infrastructure in refugee camps.

HIV AND AIDS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

UNHCR continued to integrate sexual and reproductive health projects and strengthen their links with HIV and AIDS programmes. This has led to significant improvements in this regard for most operations, as the data available on UNHCR’s WebHIS site show. Antenatal coverage is above 90 per cent in most protracted refugee camp situations, and 77 per cent of pregnant women have access to prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission services. The proportion of births attended by skilled personnel has also increased, for example, in Chad from 67 per cent to 77 per cent, and in Uganda from 62 per cent to 80 per cent, thereby allowing life-saving interventions in case of complications.

Medical support for rape victims has improved, although more efforts are needed to ensure that victims report in time to receive treatment for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Important multi-sectoral work with risk groups, such as injecting-drug users and sex workers, ensured that high-quality, sustainable programmes were offered in the areas of protection, HIV and AIDS, reproductive health and community support.

UNHCR continued to lobby governments to include refugees and other people of concern in national HIV and AIDS plans, policies and proposals. It also worked with partners to strengthen health systems, in particular for safe-motherhood services to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.

As a UNAIDS co-sponsor, UNHCR helped to develop the 2012-2015 UNAIDS Strategy and finalize the revised division of labour under which UNHCR, together with WFP, will play the co-convener role for HIV and AIDS in emergency settings. UNHCR has been active in the inter-agency working group on reproductive health. It has also helped update the inter-agency field manual on reproductive health in emergencies and associated e-learning tools.

EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

In 2010 UNHCR focused on three complementary education objectives: greater access, improved quality and enhanced protection. Primary-level refugee enrolment rates rose, while field-based training and the dissemination of educational tools strengthened the capacity of UNHCR staff. Almost 80 staff members received training in establishing educational priorities and creating safe learning environments. Training sessions and donor consultations were held in four field offices: in Chad, Ethiopia, Malaysia and Uganda.

An e-learning tool to foster safe learning environments was developed, and 12 priority countries were targeted for technical support missions, the development of education strategies and financial support for strategic interventions. Nine countries benefited

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38 UNHCR Global Report 2010

from experts in education, seconded by the Norwegian Refugee Council. The recommendations arising from a review of education for refugees in four urban settings: Amman (Jordan); Damascus (the Syrian Arab Republic), Kampala (Uganda) and Nairobi (Kenya) —were incorporated into a guidance note on the planning of urban education programmes.

The ninemillion.org campaign raised more than USD 2.2 million to increase access to education, sports and technology for more than 460,000 children and young people in 20 countries. Focusing particularly on the participation of girls, the campaign contributed to improving the quality of education, the safety of learning environments and self-reliance among refugees. Some 60 per cent of the projects used sports as a tool to improve the protection of refugees.

Through the German Albert Einstein Academic Refugee Initiative

(DAFI) scholarship programme, more than 1,800 students in 37 countries advanced their university studies. Of these students, 65 per cent are refugees in sub-Saharan Africa and the rest are from Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Europe. By enhancing self-reliance and developing human capital, DAFI provided refugee role models, facilitated durable solutions and equipped students with the skills for reconstruction and nation-building.

UNHCR served as the reporting agency for the 2010 refugee-themed Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, and was a key participant in the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Resolution on the Right to Education in Emergency Situations as well as the adoption by the Human Rights Council of the draft Resolution on the Right to Education: Follow-up to Human Rights Council Resolution 8/4.

Turkish Kurd refugee children attend a Kurdish literature class inMakhmour camp, Iraq.

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| TARGET 2010-2011 || PROGRESS IN 2010 |

In at least 15 of 73 camps, global acute

malnutrition rate meets acceptable standards.

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

In 7 of the camps targeted, the global acute malnutrition rate met acceptable standards.

In at least 8 of 14 countries, the prevalence of anaemia in children under five years of age does not exceed acceptable standards.

The prevalence of anaemia in children under five years of age was reduced in 6 countries although it exceeded

acceptable standards in all 11 countries reporting.

In at least 17 operations, there is a significant improvement in

distribution of the food ration in terms of Kcals.

In 4 operations there was a significant improvement in the distribution of food rations in terms of Kcals, with small improvements in a further 3 operations.

In at least 18 of the 27 countries targeted, the crude mortality rate of populations of concern meets acceptable standards.

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

In 15 of the countries targeted, the crude mortality rate met acceptable standards.

In at least 21 of 28 countries targeted, the mortality rate of populations of concern under five years of age meets acceptable standards.

In 13 of the countries targeted, the mortality rate of populations of concern under five years of age met acceptable standards.

In 15 of the 20 countries targetted, measles vaccination coverage of population of concern under five years of age meets acceptable standards .

In 10 of the countries targeted, measles vaccination coverage of populations of concern under give years of age met acceptable.

In at least 20 of the 68 camps targeted, the attendance of skilled health workers at births meets acceptable standards.

In 32 of the refugee camps

targeted, the attendance of skilled health workers at births met acceptable standards.

ENVIRONMENT

Sound environmental management continued to be central to refugees’ and IDPs’ protection and livelihood opportunities in 2010. In this area, UNHCR focused on the promotion of renewable energy and fuel efficiency; environmental impact assessment and monitoring; awareness-raising and training; sustainable land use and agriculture; and community-based environmental action plans. The Office also worked to facilitate reforestation where possible and disseminated environmental guidelines and tools.

The use of innovative technology to improve access to renewable energy and increase cooking-fuel efficiency is particularly important, as the issue of domestic energy is closely linked to the protection of people, especially women and children. Through a pilot project, more than 4,000 solar lanterns and 175 solar street-lighting units have been distributed and installed in the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda. The introduction of household solar

lanterns and solar lighting for public places has greatly improved security and the quality of life of nearly 50,000 refugee households, especially for women and children. In addition, the use of greener fuels has reduced gas emissions from fossil fuels such as kerosene, which are harmful to health.

Fuel-efficient and clean-cooking stoves have been widely disseminated in refugee operations in Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Togo and Uganda. A total of 3,500 units of Save80 stoves and fireless cookers were distributed. More than 400 refugee women and staff of implementing partners in the camps received training on the use and maintenance of efficient and clean-cooking stoves. The use of these stoves has reduced the consumption of wood for fuel by 80 per cent, easing the pressure on forests and woodland in refugee-hosting areas; it has also reduced the safety risks for women and the time they spend on firewood collection.

In an effort to widen the use of green energy and promote environmental sustainability in the camps, UNHCR, in partnership with Energias de Portugal (EDP), implemented an integrated energy solution project in Kakuma, Kenya. Through this project, 31 solar street-lighting systems have been installed in the camp and adjacent host-community town. Some 4,500 solar lanterns were distributed to school children to facilitate their evening studies and provide lighting at home. Solar lighting systems have been installed in all institutional buildings in the camp. This pilot project has improved the living conditions of refugees and field staff by increasing security and enhancing access to educational opportunities and health care.

In partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, UNHCR provided technical support for community environmental action plans in Ethiopia, Rwanda, eastern Sudan and Uganda. This project ensured community commitment and participation in environmental restoration and management in a number of camps. In addition, training in sustainable land use was provided for the Bangladesh and Rwanda operations.

UNHCR undertook technical missions to strengthen staff and partner capacity related to domestic energy

In at least 20 of the 68 camps targeted, In 32 of the refugee camps

GLOBAL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

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40 UNHCR Global Report 2010

| TARGET 2010-2011 || PROGRESS IN 2010 |

The percentage of refugee households in camps that do not live in adequate

dwellings is reduced from 40% to 35%.

SHELTER AND BASIC DOMESTIC AND HYGIENE ITEMS

37% of refugee households did not live in adequate dwellings.

In 4 of 33 areas of refugee return targeted, all returnees live in adequate dwellings.

In 4 areas of refugee return, shelter was improved, although not all returnees live in adequate dwellings.

20 of 56 camps targeted meet the standard of providing an average of 20 litres of water per person per day.

WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES

in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda. The missions reviewed environmental programmes in refugee camps, coordination mechanisms and strategies for the promotion of environmentally friendly shelters and reforestation.

An environmental-impact assessment was undertaken to facilitate the establishment of the new refugee camp site in Dadaab, Kenya. The socio-economic and environmental impact on host communities was also assessed. The study, which was conducted in partnership with the Kenyan authorities and the Norwegian and Danish Governments, provided an understanding of the environmental impact of refugee camps on host communities and provided lessons on how the situation could be improved.

To help mainstream environmental concerns across all areas of UNHCR’s work, 94 UNHCR staff members, implementing partners and government counterparts were trained at workshops in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Kenya. The training enhanced the ability of participants to plan and implement environmental and natural resources programmes in their operations. In addition, 70 refugee representatives received training on environmental planning.

UNHCR strengthened its partnership with various UN

Lack of lighting at night and long journeys to collect firewood pose significant protection risks for refugees, especially women and children.

UNHCR has been promoting solar lighting and fuel-efficient stoves to improve this situation. In 2010, the Office implemented an innovative pilot project in seven countries in Africa. Packages of solar lanterns, solar street-lights and fuel-efficient stoves were provided in the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda, and followed up by technical support to each operation. Solar lanterns provide light for up to eight hours, enabling refugees to engage in social, educational and income-generating activities.

“Now I feel safe walking at night! There are hyenas, dogs, and snakes on the road at night. With this lantern, I can visit my neighbours. Many children can’t even go to the toilets at night because they are scared. The lanterns will be a big help for us all,” says Fatuma, a 35-year-old Somali refugee woman. The lanterns also have a mobile-phone charging function which is particular-ly appreciated by refugees, as these phones are often their only means of communica-tion with families far away.

Fuel-efficient stoves, which reduce firewood requirements by up to 90 per cent if used in combination with fireless cookers, significantly reduce the burden on refugee

women and girls posed by firewood collec-tion. Collecting wood often exposes them to risks of sexual and gender-based violence, even rape. People with physical disabilities are the hardest hit by the burden of firewood collection.

“My legs are permanently paralysed as I was shot with machine guns during the conflict in Somalia. I am now living with my parents, and my sister collects firewood for us. Being in a wheelchair, I cannot collect firewood myself. This stove will help us because it uses much less firewood.” says Hinda, a 25-year-old Somali woman in Jijiga, Ethiopia.

Bringing Light and Energy to Refugees

5 of the camps targeted met the standard of providing an average of 20 litres of water per person per day, while a further 19 camps increased water supply to refugees.

In at least 13 of the 21 countries where there are negative environmental consequences of displacement, rehabilitation efforts improved and risks reduced.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

In 6 countries, rehabilitation efforts were improved and risks reduced.

coordination mechanisms, including the IASC Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and Alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings; the Issue

GLOBAL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Management Group on Sustainable Management in the UN System; and the newly founded Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. n

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41UNHCR Global Report 2010