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United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR

National High School Model United Nations

New York City | March 04-07, 2015

IMUNA International Model United Nations Association

Background Guide

NHSMUN

Shirley Wu Secretary-General

Princeton University

Lily O’Connell Director-General

University of Pennsylvania

Brody Duncan Conference Director

McGill University

Alec Guertin Director of Security

University of California, Berkeley

Jason Toney Chief of External Relations

Bard College

Laura Beltran-Rubio Chief of Staff

Parsons The New School for Design

Jinny Jung Under-Secretary General of

Administrative Affairs University of Michigan

Helen Robertson Under-Secretary General

University of Virginia

Joe Sherlock Under-Secretary General

Bowdoin College

Erin Corcoran Under-Secretary General

Harvard University

Costanza Cicero Under-Secretary General

University of Bologna

Alyssa Greenhouse Under-Secretary General

Duke University

Paula Kates Under-Secretary General

Tufts University

NHSMUN is a project of the International Model United Nations Association, Incorporated (IMUNA). IMUNA, a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization, is dedicated to furthering global issues education at the secondary school level.

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MODEL UNITED NATIONS T h e 4 1 s t A n n u a l C o n f e r e n c e • M a r c h 4 – M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 5

November 2014

Dear Delegates, Welcome to NHSMUN 2015! I can’t believe that the conference is already approaching… time flies when you’re having fun! But actually, preparing for this conference has been a blast, especially because it comes with so much anticipation for when you all arrive in March. NHSMUN wouldn’t be the same without all of your hard working leading up to the conference, so you should all pat yourselves on the back right now. A few words about myself: I have been participating in NHSMUN since my freshman year of high school, which was in 2009. NHSMUN was such a valuable experience for me in high school that I couldn’t give it up upon my graduation, inspiring me to apply for an Assistant Director position at NHSMUN. After that it’s history; I was the Assistant Director on the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, then the Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, and am now the Under-Secretary-General of the Standing and Functional Committees of the Economic and Social Council. I am out of breath just typing that title. Although Model UN is a huge part of my life, I also exist outside of simulated discussions of world issues. I am a junior at Harvard studying psychology, and hail from Bay Shore, NY. For extracurriculars, I am involved in a public service organization on campus that gives tours and organizes freshman orientation, I am very active in my sorority, and I also play club squash. I am an avid fan of books featuring dystopian societies and love triangles (Hunger Games, Twilight, Matched, etc.) and could go my whole life only eating cupcakes (probably not healthily, though). 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 Directors, Assistant Directors, and I are more than willing to give advice on any aspect of the conference, 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 send me an email. 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 in March! Best, Erin Corcoran Under-Secretary General, ECOSOC Standing Committees and Functional Commissions [email protected]

Shirley Wu Secretary-General

Princeton University

Lily O’Connell Director-General

University of Pennsylvania

Brody Duncan Conference Director

McGill University

Alec Guertin Director of Security

University of California, Berkeley

Jason Toney Chief of External Relations

Bard College

Laura Beltran-Rubio Chief of Staff

Parsons The New School for Design

Jinny Jung Under-Secretary General of

Administrative Affairs University of Michigan

Helen Robertson Under-Secretary General

University of Virginia

Joe Sherlock Under-Secretary General

Bowdoin College

Erin Corcoran Under-Secretary General

Harvard University

Costanza Cicero Under-Secretary General

University of Bologna

Alyssa Greenhouse Under-Secretary General

Duke University

Paula Kates Under-Secretary General

Tufts University

NHSMUN is a project of the International Model United Nations Association, Incorporated (IMUNA). IMUNA, a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization, is dedicated to furthering global issues education at the secondary school level.

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MODEL UNITED NATIONS T h e 4 1 s t A n n u a l C o n f e r e n c e • M a r c h 4 – M a r c h 7 , 2 0 1 5

November 2014

Dear Delegates, My name is Dylan Fair and will be your Director for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at NHSMUN 2015. This will be my second year at IMUNA and my sixth year of involvement with Model UN. I was born in Hermosa Beach, California, and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Denver where I major in International Relations and participate in my school’s Greek life. My hobbies include ice hockey, Hawaiian shirts, all forms of culinary endeavors, wearing sunglasses inside, post-modern literature, Game of Thrones (the books and the show), going to the beach, failed plans to travel, and musical snobbery. While I try to stay as easy-going and laid back as possible, I am devoted to and passionate about NHSMUN’s goals. My experiences at NHSMUN have taught me to appreciate the importance of understanding international issues. Hopefully this passion is not only reflected in my enthusiasm for our topics, but eventually in the debate that we carry out as UNHCR. The two topics we will be debating as UNHCR are not only reflective of the most pressing issues concerning refugees today but are equally complementary, intriguing and complex. The issues facing Ukrainian refugees are overlooked and extremely concerning. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is one of the largest recent threats to global security and the refugees created by this conflict are in dire need of assistance. Furthermore, as the total number of refugees has only been increasing in recent years, it becomes even more important to provide quality living conditions within refugee camps. Both topics are not only independently relevant to this committee but also work well together. Since the general topic on camp conditions applies to camps worldwide, there is a strong relation to the situation in Ukraine. I am eager for you all to begin researching thoroughly and creating comprehensive solutions. I wish you the best of luck, and feel free to email me at [email protected]. Also make sure to follow our committee twitter account at @NHSMUN_UNHCR. Best, Dylan Fair Director, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees @NHSMUN_UNHCR [email protected]

National High School Model United Nations 2015 UNHCR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Note on the NHSMUN Difference .................................................................................................... 1!

A Note on Research and Preparation ..................................................................................................... 3!

Committee History ................................................................................................................................. 4!

Establishment of UNHCR ....................................................................................................................................... 4!

Defining a Refugee .................................................................................................................................................... 5!

UNHCR’s Current Work ......................................................................................................................................... 6!

Simulation ............................................................................................................................................... 7!

Topic A: Living Conditions and Sanitation in Refugee Camps ............................................................. 9!

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 9!

History and Description of the Issue ........................................................................................................................ 10!

Structural Issues ....................................................................................................................................................... 11!

Water and Sanitation ............................................................................................................................................... 12!

Waste Disposal ......................................................................................................................................................... 13!

Nutrition .................................................................................................................................................................... 14!

Living Conditions .................................................................................................................................................... 14!

Medical Challenges .................................................................................................................................................. 16!

Current Status ............................................................................................................................................................... 16!

Solutions in Place ..................................................................................................................................................... 18!

Bloc Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................. 19!

Africa ......................................................................................................................................................................... 19!

Middle East ............................................................................................................................................................... 20!

East Asia .................................................................................................................................................................... 20!

South America .......................................................................................................................................................... 20!

Western Bloc ............................................................................................................................................................ 21!

Committee Mission ...................................................................................................................................................... 21!

Topic B: The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis ............................................................................................... 22!

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 22!

History and Description of the Issue ........................................................................................................................ 23!

Who are the Refugees? ............................................................................................................................................ 23!

The Situation in Crimea .......................................................................................................................................... 24!


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Internally Displaced Persons ................................................................................................................................. 24!

International Resettlement ..................................................................................................................................... 25!

Corruption ................................................................................................................................................................ 27!

Mental and Physical Health of Refugees .............................................................................................................. 29!

Current Status ............................................................................................................................................................... 30!

Bloc Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................. 32!

Ukraine ...................................................................................................................................................................... 32!

Eastern Europe ........................................................................................................................................................ 33!

Russian Federation .................................................................................................................................................. 34!

Western States .......................................................................................................................................................... 34!

African, South American and Asian States .......................................................................................................... 34!

Committee Mission ...................................................................................................................................................... 35!

Research and Preparation Questions ................................................................................................... 36!

Topic A .......................................................................................................................................................................... 36!

Topic B .......................................................................................................................................................................... 36!

Important Documents .......................................................................................................................... 37!

Topic A .......................................................................................................................................................................... 37!

Topic B .......................................................................................................................................................................... 37!

Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................... 39!

Committee History and Simulation ........................................................................................................................... 39!

Topic A .......................................................................................................................................................................... 39!

Topic B .......................................................................................................................................................................... 43!


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A NOTE ON THE NHSMUN DIFFERENCE

Esteemed Faculty and Delegates, Hello and welcome to NHSMUN 2015! My name is Lily O’Connell, and I am this year’s Director-General. I hope you are as excited as I am to experience the conference. Our staff has been working all year to ensure that you have an engaging, educational, and rewarding experience in committee. NHSMUN strives to assure that the quality of our debate and in-committee interaction is unmatched. NHSMUN focuses on the educational value of Model UN. We believe that the experiences in our committee rooms extend skills originally developed in the classroom, and prepare students to become future leaders. NHSMUN thrives on well-researched, realistic, and diplomatic debate. We are thrilled with the substantive program for NHSMUN 2015 and look forward to vibrant discussion and cooperation. NHSMUN Practices In order to fulfill our mission, our conference has adopted practices that are key to the continued tradition of excellence in our committees and the NHSMUN difference. NHSMUN prohibits the usage of personal electronics during committee in order to ensure that delegates do not gain an unfair advantage in debate. We feel strongly that the interpersonal connections made during debate are enhanced by face-to-face communication. Enforcing a strict no laptops policy also helps us to ensure that all our delegates have an equal opportunity to succeed in committee. The Dais is permitted a laptop for the purposes of communicating with respective Under-Secretary-Generals and other Senior Staff Members as well as attending to administrative needs. The Dais will only be limited to using their laptops for NHSMUN purposes, and the majority of their focus will be on the needs of the committee. In addition, we staff a dedicated team in our office to assist in typing and formatting draft resolutions and working papers so that committee time can be focused on discussion and compromise. An additional difference that delegates may notice about NHSMUN is the committee pacing. While each BG contains two topic selections, NHSMUN committees will strive to have a fruitful discussion on and produce resolutions on a single topic; prioritizing the quality of discussion over quantity of topics addressed. In order to respect the gravity of the issues being discussed at our conference as well as the intellect of our delegates, NHSMUN committees will focus on addressing one topic in-depth. BGs contain two topics in order to allow delegates to decide what problem ought to be prioritized, a valuable discussion in and of itself, and to safeguard against the possibility that an issue will be independently resolved before conference. NHSMUN uses a set of the Rules of Procedure that is standardized across all IMUNA-brand conferences. These rules provide a standardized system of operation that is easily translated across committee or conference lines. While the general structure and flow of committee will be familiar to any delegate who has previously participated in Model UN, there may be slight procedural differences from other conferences. All delegates are encouraged to review the Rules of Procedure


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before attending the conference in the Delegate Preparation Guide and are welcome to direct questions to any member of NHSMUN Staff. While NHSMUN does distribute awards, we feel that it is crucial to de-emphasize their importance in comparison to the educational value of Model UN as an activity. NHSMUN seeks to reward delegations that excel in the arts of compromise and diplomacy. We always prioritize a dedication to teamwork over solitary achievement. Directors will judge delegates on their ability and willingness to cooperate with their peers while always maintaining an accurate representation of country policy. At the core of the NHSMUN philosophy is an emphasis on education and compromise. As such, we do not distribute awards to individual delegates, with the exception of committees where students represent their own separate delegation (ICJ and UNSC, for example). Instead, awards will be distributed to delegations that exhibit excellence across all committees. The awards system is standardized so as to give equal weight to delegations of all sizes. Awards will also be offered for schools that demonstrate excellence in research and preparation based on the position papers submitted by their delegates. Detailed information on the determination of awards at NHSMUN will be available in the Faculty Preparation Guide and online in November. As always, I welcome any questions or concerns about the substantive program at NHSMUN 2015 and would be happy to discuss NHSMUN pedagogy with faculty or delegates. It is my sincerest hope that your experience at NHSMUN 2015 will be challenging and thought provoking. Best, Lily O’Connell Director-General, NHSMUN 2015 [email protected]


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A NOTE ON RESEARCH AND PREPARATION

Delegate preparation is paramount to a successful and exciting National High School Model United Nations 2015 Conference. We have provided this Background Guide to introduce the topics that will be discussed in your committee. These papers are designed to give you a description of the topics and the committee. This Guide is not intended to represent exhaustive research on every facet of the topics. We encourage and expect each delegate to fully explore the topics and be able to identify and analyze the intricacies of the issues. Delegates must be prepared to intelligently utilize their knowledge and apply it to their own country’s policy. You will find that your state has a unique position on the topics that cannot be substituted by the opinions of another state. The task of preparing and researching for the conference is challenging, but it can be interesting and rewarding. We have provided each school with a copy of the Delegation Preparation Guide. The Guide contains detailed instructions on how to write a position paper and how to effectively participate in committee sessions. The Guide also gives a synopsis of the types of research materials and resources available to you and where they can be found. An essential part of representing a state in an international body is the ability to articulate that state’s views in writing. Accordingly, it is the policy of NHSMUN to require each delegate (or double-delegation team) to write position papers. The position papers should clearly outline the country’s policies on the topic areas to be discussed and what factors contribute to these policies. In addition, each paper must address the Research and Preparation questions at the end of the committee Background Guide. Most importantly, the paper must be written from the point of view of the country you are representing at NHSMUN 2015 and should articulate the policies you will espouse at the conference. All papers should be typed and double-spaced. The papers will be read by the director of each committee and returned at the start of the conference with brief comments and constructive advice. Each delegation is responsible for sending a copy of their papers to the Director-General via email on or before January 22, 2015. Please email the entire delegation’s papers at one time to [email protected]. Complete instructions for online submissions may be found in the Delegate Preparation Guide and the Faculty Preparation Guide. If delegations are unable to submit an online version of their position papers, they should contact the Director-General ([email protected]) as soon as possible to find an alternative form of submission.

Delegat ions that do not submit pos i t ion papers to direc tors or summary s tatements to the Direc tor-General wi l l be ine l ig ib le for awards.

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COMMITTEE HISTORY

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.1 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.2 During its more than 60 years of operation, UNHCR has earned two Nobel Peace Prizes, one in 1954 and the other in 1981.3

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.4 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: first, to provide international protection for refugees; and second, to seek permanent solutions to the problem of refugees.5 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.”6

After the Soviet Union suppressed a Hungarian uprising in 1956, there was a huge outpouring of refugees from Hungary.7 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.8 The crisis and UNHCR’s successful management and assistance caused the General Assembly to label refugees as a global issue and to create the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme to advise the High

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 “History of UNHCR,” UNHCR, last accessed 13 September 2012, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646cbc.html. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 4 Mark Cutts, “Chapter 1: The Early Years,” in The State of the World’s Refugees 2000: Fifty Years of Humanitarian Action, ed. Mark Cutts et al. (Geneva: UNHCR, 2000), 18. 5 Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Geneva: UNHCR, 1950). 6 The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and Its 1967 Protocol (Geneva: UNHCR, 2011). 7 Cutts, “Chapter 1: The Early Years,” 26. 8 Ibid., 32.


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Commissioner.9 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.

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.10 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, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail him or herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.11

Refugee status is removed once that individual voluntarily repatriates, integrates, or is naturalized in the host country.12 The cessation clauses of the Convention outline six conditions in which a country may apply and invoke the cessation of refugee status of its people.13 Application of the cessation clauses requires comprehensive assessment, involvement of current refugees in the process, examination of the status of refugees who have returned, and analysis of the potential consequences upon the cessation of refugee status.14 The heart of the Convention is the principle of non-refoulement, contained in Article 33, which states that a refugee should not be returned to a state where he faces imminent threats to his or her life or freedom.15 Other important rights enshrined by the 1951 Convention are the rights to housing, education, work, access to courts, freedom of movement within the territory, and the right to be issued identity and travel documents.16 This seminal piece of international refugee law is continually adapting to changes. The 1967 Protocol made the 1951 Convention more applicable by removing prior geographical and time limits. Before passage of the Protocol, the 1951 Convention only applied to refugees created by events prior to January 1951.17 The implementation of the Convention is supervised by UNHCR, as assigned by the United Nations General Assembly. Within this role, the Office ensures that countries that have not signed the 1951 Convention or its 1967 Protocol are not exempt from admitting persons seeking refuge, since the principle non-refoulement is entrenched in international law.18

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!9 Ibid., 35. 10 María-Teresa Gil-Bazo, “Refugee Status, Subsidiary Protection, and the Right to Be Granted Asylum Under EC Law,” UNHCR New Issues in Refugee Research 136 (2006). 11 Ibid. 12 Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons (Geneva: UNHCR, 2007). 13 “Summary Conclusions - Cessation of Refugee Status: Lisbon Expert Roundtable 3-4 May 2001,” Global Consultations on International Protection (Geneva: UNHCR, 2001). 14 Ibid. 15 The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and Its 1967 Protocol. 16 Ibid. 17 Ibid. 18 Ibid.


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UNHCR’s Current Work

Almost all of UNHCR’s funding comes from voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental organizations, corporations and individuals.19 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. 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.20 When celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention in 2011, UNHCR reaffirmed its mandate and worked to secure stronger partnerships with and between Member States and NGOs.21 Even still, UNHCR recognizes the need to counter existing preconceptions of xenophobia and racism.22 Response to refugee problems has evolved over the last more than 60 years and shows many signs of continuing evolution. Every year, legal framework and institutional arrangements for protecting and assisting refugees continue to develop. It is UNHCR’s duty to learn from the past and to create new mechanisms that will respond effectively to problems in the future.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!19 “Mission Statement,” UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013 (Geneva: UNHCR, 2012), 3. 20 Ibid. 21 António Guterres, “Challenging Times, Dangerous World,” UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013 (Geneva: UNHCR, 2011), 8. 22 Ibid.


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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. While conversing about the topics, it will also be important to remain aware of the scope and limitations of UNHCR’s mandate and keep in mind that, while UNHCR may suggest programs to consider, only the United Nations Security Council is able to enforce sanctions. 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 review and adhere to the procedural structure that follow 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 Assistant Director. 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. Two types of debate will be conducted during the sessions: formal and informal. While formal debate refers to use of the Speakers' List, informal debate comprises both moderated and unmoderated caucuses. 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 their countries. The structured format of moderated caucuses will allow for intense discussion on specific aspects of the topic for a set period of time. 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. Delegates should use their time wisely during unmoderated caucuses and strive to actively collaborate with each other. 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. 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. 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. 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. Please note that prewritten resolutions are not allowed at NHSMUN and will not be accepted.


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The ultimate goal of this committee is to facilitate debate on global issues and create possible solutions to alleviate current tensions. Delegates should interact with each other respectfully, regardless of opposing viewpoints.


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TOPIC A: 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.23 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 refugees living in camps is unclear, it has been confirmed that over 4.8 million refugees reside in 60 Middle-Eastern camps alone.24 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.25 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.26 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.”27 This specific quotation describes a specific camp that is only a microcosm of the larger issue that UNHCR must address.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!23 "Refugee Figures," UNHCR News, accessed 12 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c1d.html. 24 Ibid. 25 "Ten Largest Refugee Camps," The Wall Street Journal, accessed 12 July 2014, http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323932604579052742703621858#3. 26 Ibid. 27 Christopher Looney, "Millions of Refugees from Syria’s War Are Clinging to Life In Toxic Conditions," The Daily Beast, 4 April 2014, accessed 12 July 2014, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/14/millions-of-refugees-from-syria-s-war-are-clinging-to-life-in-toxic-conditions.html.


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In the name of global governance and as active members in the international community, member states of the United Nations must adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. One of the clauses of the declaration reads, that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family”28 When member states agree to the declaration, they are pledging time and resources to upholding the goals of the document, including the one above. University of Hawaii professor George Kent stated that “human rights are international in the sense of being universal—applying to all persons. The obligations, however, are primarily domestic, in the relationships between national governments and their own people.”29 However, there are many nuances and complications that make the issue of improving refugee camps less straightforward than it seems. For example, there are severe regional differences that should be noted by this committee. One-size-fits-all solutions are something we, as UNHCR, attempt to avoid. There are many topics and subtopics that will be addressed in this background guide building toward the endgame of forming realistic resolutions. Finally, the Background Guide will cover existing programs and solutions working to improve refugee camps. This analysis will point out the strengths and weaknesses of these preexisting programs in order to help delegates build new and comprehensive solutions. Before our committee can effectively address the issues within existing refugee camps, it is essential to understand the basic ways in which refugee camps are established and operated. UNHCR has established what is called the Handbook for Emergencies, which has become a mainstay in addressing new refugee situations.30 In the handbook, the settling of refugees into temporary centers or camps is an important aspect that requires immediate attention. According the handbook, “camps for refugees and the internally displaced are often established for security reasons and to ensure that humanitarian agencies can easily monitor the situation and deliver humanitarian assistance.”31 In other words, the basis of a refugee camp is to provide protection from the crisis that drove people from their homes. These are supposed to be centers where human rights are protected, and where eventually these refugees can be helped back into society and their regular lives. However, oftentimes these camps become so crowded and difficult to manage that refugees find themselves in conditions equally as horrid as the ones they were running from. 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.

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!28 “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, The United Nations¸ 10 December 1948, accessed 7 October 2014, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml. 29 George Kent, "The Nutritional Rights of Refugees," University of Hawaii, November 2005, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kent/NRR.pdf. 30 "UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies, Third Edition," UNHCR News, accessed 13 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/472af2972.html. 31 Ibid.


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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.”32 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.”33 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.34 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.”35 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 creates 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.36 According to IRIN reports, in Domiz it is typical for one septic tank to be shared by over 25 families.37 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.”38 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

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!32 Ibid. 33 Jim Kennedy, "Challenging Camp Design Guidelines," FM Review, accessed 13 July 2014, http://www.fmreview.org/FMRpdfs/FMR23/FMR2319.pdf. 34 Ibid. 35 Ibid. 36 "Containing Disease in a Syrian Refugee Camp in Iraq," IRINnews, 3 July 2014, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.irinnews.org/report/98349/containing-disease-in-a-syrian-refugee-camp-in-iraq. 37 Ibid. 38 Ibid.


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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.39 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.40 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 purposes such as bathing.41 It is also concerning that at least 30% of refugee camps do not have proper waste disposal and latrine facilities.42 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.”43 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.”44 Cholera, diarrhea, and other diseases all stem from not consuming both adequate amounts and sanitary water, while dehydration and !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!39 Ibid. 40 Ibid. 41 "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)," UNHCR News, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646cef.html. 42 Ibid. 43 "Module 3: Food, Water, Sanitation, and Housing in Refugee Camps," Unite For Sight, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.uniteforsight.org/refugee-health/module3. 44 Ibid.


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its associated effects stem from not consuming adequate amounts of water. Both of these issues are of equal prevalence and need to be addressed by this committee. Even if the water is clean to begin with, dirty containers and human use often contaminate clean water in refugee camps. In the Nyamithuthu camp in Malawi, there was a survey conducted comparing traditional water transportation to an “improved bucket” that was sealed to prevent hand contamination and spouted to improve pouring.45 In the study, it was concluded that “these improved buckets had fecal coliform values that were 53.35% lower than the control vessels.”46 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.47 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.”48 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.49 Waste disposal comes in many forms, and so do the issues

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!45 Ibid. 46 Ibid. 47 Ibid. 48 "Domestic and Refugee Camp Waste Management Collection & Disposal," Oxfam Institute 1 (21 May 2008), accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.eecentre.org/Modules/DWMG/docs/8/Domestic_refugee_waste.pdf. 49 Ibid.


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associated with it. Waste disposal is one of the biggest factors that affect sanitation and living conditions in refugee camps, it is one of the biggest issues that affect life in refugee camps in general.

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.50 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.”51 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.52 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 2,100.53 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."54 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.55 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 2013.56 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%.57 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

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!50 Jennifer Goette, “Issues in Nutrition for Refugee Children.” The Centre for Refugee Research, 23 November 2008, accessed 13 July 2014, http://www.crr.unsw.edu.au/media/File/Nutrition_Issues.pdf. 51 Ibid. 52 "UN Agencies Highlight Dangers of Increasing Malnutrition in Refugee Camps" UNHCR News, accessed 14 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/4346ac9a4.html. 53 Ibid. 54 Ibid. 55 Kiana Davis, "The Dire State of Food Security in the Syrian Refugee Crisis," Hunger-Undernutrition.org, 9 May 2014, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.hunger-undernutrition.org/blog/2014/05/the-dire-state-of-food-security-in-the-syrian-refugee-crisis.html. 56 Ibid. 57 Ibid.


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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 molds.”58 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.59 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.60 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.61 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.62 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.63 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.”64 Furthermore, schools inside the camps were often described as better than the public schools children attended in Syria.65 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

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!58 "Tough Living Conditions among Syrian Camp Refugees," UNHCR News, 18 March 2014, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/532821556.html. 59 Ibid. 60 Ibid. 61 Mac McClelland, "How to Build a Perfect Refugee Camp," The New York Times, 15 February 2014, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/magazine/how-to-build-a-perfect-refugee-camp.html?_r=0. 62 Ibid. 63 Ibid. 64 Ibid. 65 Ibid.


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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 proper healthcare. Supplying qualified professionals to take care of these people once relocated into refugee camps is often ignored in favor 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.”66 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.67 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.”68 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.69 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.70 This statistic means that the

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!66 "Mental Health in Refugee Camps and Settlements," Uniteforsight.org, accessed 14 July 2014, http://www.uniteforsight.org/refugee-health/module2. 67 Ibid. 68 Ibid. 69 Ibid. 70 "Facts and Figures about Refugees," UNHCR, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org.uk/about-us/key-facts-and-figures.html.


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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."71 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.72 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.73 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. According to a New York Times report, the structure of the camp is intended to facilitate feelings of community.74 A camp planner stated, “At Azraq, refugees are to be settled with others from their hometowns, in village like clusters designed to give the feeling of communities within a town rather than an emergency

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!71 Madison Park, "Which Countries Take in Most Refugees? Not the West," CNN, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/05/world/asia/refugees-asylum-statistics/. Can’t use this 72 Ibid. 73 "Latest Refugee News," UNHCR, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.unrefugees.org/site/c.lfIQKSOwFqG/b.8238381/k.FD2F/Latest_Refugee_News/apps/nl/newsletter3.asp. 74 Ibid.


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camp.”75 As the quotation and report suggest, there have been attempts at improving the traditional structures of refugee camps. 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."76 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; capacity building; community based development; and preserving asylum space for refugees in neighboring countries.”77 As can be seen, a large portion of UNHCR’s focus goes towards fixing structural issues within refugee camps. This shows that UNHCR has identified and is attempting to solve root causes. This international attention further reinforces how critical this topic is for UNHCR and how our committee must be proactive in the pursuit of solutions. Another recent development has been the Western world attempting to respond to criticism about their lack of assistance for refugees. Typically, domestic legislation and politics in developed countries can make rapid changes to their immigration and refugee policies difficult. In the United States, recent reforms to immigration policy have led to severe cuts in refugee programming, since in 2013 USD 94 million was pulled away from refugee programs to help fund immigration programs.78 Because so many developed countries face controversial issues of their own such as immigration, dedicating increased awareness to refugees can be difficult as well. But due to the criticism, there has been some consensus of possible solutions for Western countries. Specifically, the United States has worked with other Western European countries and proposed reforms to refugee policies, perhaps in response to the criticism directed toward the United States for not hosting higher levels of refugees in the past.79 One of the most notable suggestions for budget allocation (the amount of money spent on refugees) for developed countries reads: “The federal agencies should commission a comprehensive study of the domestic resettlement system to determine optimal funding levels including provisions for recommendations contained there; the

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!75 Rana F. Sweis, "New Refugee Camp in Jordan Tries to Create a Community for Syrians," The New York Times, 30 May 2014, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/31/world/middleeast/new-refugee-camp-in-jordan-absorbs-flood-from-syria.html?_r=0. 76 "Afghan Solutions Strategy,” UNHCR News, Accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4f9016576.html. 77 Ibid. 78 Tina Griego, "Immigration Policy Leaves Refugee Programs Scrambling for Funds," Washington Post, 13 August 2014, accessed 14 August 2014, http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/08/13/immigration-policys-unintended-consequences-refugee-programs-left-scrambling-for-funds/. 79 Kate Brick, Amy Cushing-Savvi, Samia Elshafie, Alan Krill, Megan McGlynn Scanlon, Marianne Stone. "Refugee Resettlement in the United States," Columbia University, May 2010, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/Columbia%20SIPA%20Report,%205-10.pdf.


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federal government should increase funding to that level.”80 This recommendation reads that domestically, countries should find an optimal point at which they can protect the maximum number of refugees while also ensuring quality care. These recommendations extend into other aspects of proposed legislation, such as ensuring successful reintegration of refugees into society. The integration procedure includes an “assessment of outcomes for refugees beyond employment, such as mobility, housing, education, community ties, health status, social connections, and language skills.”81 As such, developed countries can, and should, look beyond camp conditions for refugees. If larger portions of refugees are taken care of in wealthier countries, creating sanitary camps will be less of a challenge due to a more evenly dispersed population. Furthermore, UNHCR will have an increased capacity to aid these refugees. These solutions show that at least the Western world is attempting to take on a larger role in the protection of refugees. Finally, it is important to remember that providing livable refugee camps is one of the most important short-term solutions at the disposal of UNHCR. As technology improves year after year, there is more potential to drive down costs while increasing the living standards at refugee camps. One of the many examples of innovations that UNHCR has been recently using is a simple barcode technology has made the distribution of food rations in refugee camps much more efficient.82 Previously, the distribution process was bogged down by extensive background checks to determine factors such as dependent family members and the last date they received rations. Now, according to UNHCR reports, “at the Yida settlement in northern South Sudan, which is home to more than 70,000 refugees, the bar code tool has allowed UNHCR to cut the time it takes to complete the distribution from 10 days to four.”83 Simple and effective utilizations of technology like this clearly demonstrate how even seemingly minor solutions can greatly improve the lives of millions.

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.84 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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!80 Ibid. 81 Ibid. 82 "Refugee Camps, Bar-codes Speed up the Process of Distributing Food," UNHCR News, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/51fba5126.html. 83 Ibid. 84 "Africa," UNHCR News, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4a02d7fd6.html.


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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.85 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.”86 Most Middle-Eastern states have similar positions and outlooks as African ones. 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 Southeastern 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.87 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.88 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

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!85 "MIDDLE EAST: Refugees and IDPs by Country," IRINnews, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.irinnews.org/report/90663/middle-east-refugees-and-idps-by-country. 86 Ibid. 87 "Southeast-Asia," UNHCR News, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4b17be9b6.html. 88 "Latin America," UNHCR News, accessed 29 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e45be46.html.


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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.

COMMITTEE MISSION

“The High Commissioner for Refugees is mandated by the United Nations to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems.”89 This mission statement of UNHCR suggests it is this committee’s duty to be leaders when addressing the plight of refugees around the world. Refugees have the right to proper living conditions, and more often than not this right is violated by the conditions in many refugee camps around the world. The only effective method to achieve UNHCR’s goals is through collective action, and as member states it is vital for the committee to pool together solutions when attempting to solve this crisis. Pragmatism and utilitarianism are two important ideologies to consider during the duration of our committee sessions. As UNHCR, delegations represent the United Nations as well as uphold the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. With this in mind, it is important for the committee to not rely on short-term solutions. Proposed solutions should intend to fix structural issues within refugee camps as well as alleviate the day-to-day struggles of those who live there. Finally, solutions should look to eventually help refugees move out of these camps and resume regular lives. Camps are temporary residential areas where refugees are helped and nurtured. However, these camps are not intended to be long-term residences, and in order for camps to be effective, refugees must be prepared to leave shortly after their arrival. Finally, in committee delegations must look past regional and cultural differences. Cooperation is essential for a humanitarian topic. All parties want to see improvement for refugees, and so UNHCR must come together in order to formulate the best policies for making this goal come to fruition.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!89 "UNHCR Mission Statement," UNHCR, accessed 15 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49ed83046.html.


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TOPIC B: THE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE CRISIS

INTRODUCTION

In November of 2013, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych pulled out of an association deal with the European Union, igniting civil unrest. The beginning of this Ukrainian crisis originated from a growing divide between pro-Ukrainian nationalists and Ukrainian supporters of Russia. When Yanukovych pulled out of the association deal, he indicated that he and the former Ukrainian government were in favor of aligning themselves politically and economically with the Russian Government over the EU. This decision caused the split to widen between pro-Western and pro-Russian Ukrainians. Trying to capitalize on the situation and reclaim former Soviet territories, Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. These actions have consequently spawned violent actions between all parties involved, creating a new refugee crisis.90 Since the beginning of the conflict, over 110,000 people have fled from Ukraine to Russia alone and over 54,000 have been internally displaced inside Ukraine. Although the exact number of Ukrainian refugees is estimated to be well over 200,000, the exact number is too difficult to judge.91 Since the annexation there has been an explosion in the number of refugees on all sides of the issue. Namely, this crisis has created three main groups of refugees: pro-Ukrainian refugees (as in Ukrainian citizens attempting to flee all violence), pro-Russian refugees (who often flee to Russia), and Crimean refugees (who often identify as neither Russian nor Ukrainian).92 With over 200,000 persons classified as refugees or displaced persons, UNHCR has officially declared the situation in Ukraine as the “next great humanitarian crisis.”93 This crisis that plagues Russia and Ukraine is a threat to the international community as a whole and must be urgently addressed by UNHCR. While global security does not fall under the jurisdiction of UNHCR, the plight of the refugees in Ukraine created as a result does. As the situation in Ukraine has become more volatile, UNHCR has begun to address the issue more seriously.94 Since the situation is a newly created refugee crisis, it only makes sense that UNHCR would devote a large portion of its time and resources to it. UNHCR is not only compelled to act to protect the rights to life, health, movement, and a home, as established in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, but also to diminish the spillover to other nations. Due to the interconnected nature of the international community, housing refugees is a responsibility of outside countries, carrying with it social, political, and economic effects not directly involved with the crisis. Although many states are supportive of humanitarian issues, the best way to assist refugees is to stop the crisis at its roots. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!90 "Ukraine Crisis Timeline," BBC News, 7 June 2014, accessed 22 June 2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26248275 91 "UN: 110,000 People Fled Ukraine to Russia This Year," - RT News, 27 June 2014, accessed 27 June 2014, http://rt.com/news/168844-un-refugees-ukraine-russia/. 92 "Crimean Refugees in Lviv," The Economist, 28 March 2014, accessed 23 June 2014, http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/03/ukraine. 93"Ukraine's Humanitarian Crisis," RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, accessed 28 June 2014, http://www.rferl.org/contentinfographics/infographics/25426413.html. 94 Kenneth Rapoza,"As Crimea Crisis Unfolds, Russia Facing Potential Ukrainian Refugee Crisis," Forbes, 2 March 2014, accessed 23 May 2014, http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2014/03/02/as-crimea-crisis-unfolds-russia-facing-potential-ukrainian-refugee-crisis/.


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The crisis in Ukraine is ongoing for several reasons, mostly involving Putin’s expansionist foreign policy and the existence of radical revolutionary groups in Ukraine. Many issues that will be discussed in this debate will be divided over factors such as the political separation of Russian and Ukrainian radicals and nationalists, the geographical conflicts stemming from Russia’s recent annexation of Crimea and continued presence in Ukraine, and historic differences between Russia and Ukraine. Like all issues the UN addresses, there is a plethora of different interests, subtopics and complexities that makes it difficult to find a simple solution. Some of the issues complicating the Ukrainian refugee crisis include historic relations between Russia and Ukraine, the fact that refugees come from Ukraine, Russia, and Crimea, and the danger of armed violence in affected areas. In addition to these case-specific challenges, refugees everywhere face psychological and physical damage, poor living conditions, internal displacement, and discrimination. There is the potential for severe consequences if UNHCR and the international community do not give proper attention to this issue. If the number of internally displaced persons continues to grow, it will reflect poorly on the United Nations and the international community as a whole. Furthermore, the repeated human rights violations that surround this issue are grotesque and must be combatted. In order to help solve this crisis, it is vital to have an understanding of its complexity. This Background Guide will touch on the nuances of these issues and provide a starting point for further research on the topic.

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE

There is a long and tenuous history between Ukraine and Russia that proves essential to understanding both countries’ modern predicaments. Ukraine was under former Soviet influence until the U.S.S.R collapsed in 1991.95 Ever since Ukraine’s independence that year, tensions have persisted. The current situation between Ukraine and the Russian Federation began in late 2013 when former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych rejected a trade agreement with the European Union and aligned his administration with Moscow, President Vladimir Putin, and the Russian Federation.96 This inflamed Ukrainian, pro-EU nationalists—many of whom have led violent protests since the trade deal rejection. Many Ukrainian citizens were displaced, harmed, or killed in late 2013 and early 2014 as a result of these protests. In fact, the most violent day seen in Kiev since World War II took place during this time. On 20 February 2014, a temporary cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia was broken, resulting in the deaths of 88 people in a 48-hour span.97 However, the humanitarian crisis, especially with relation to UNHCR, began on 6 March 2014 when Russian Federation officially annexed the former Ukrainian territory of Crimea.98

Who are the Refugees?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!95 "Timeline: Ukraine's Political Crisis," Al Jazeera, 15 May 2014, accessed 26 June 2014, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/timeline-ukraine-political-crisis-201431143722854652.html. 96 Ibid. 97 Ibid. 98 Matt Smith and Alla Eshchenko, "Ukraine Cries 'robbery' as Russia Annexes Crimea," CNN, 18 March 2014, accessed 1 August 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/.


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The subsequent refugee crisis created by political upheaval in Ukraine is ongoing and still developing. In order to understand and eventually address this issue, it is imperative to know who these refugees are and why they are leaving. Ukrainian refugees are primarily citizens of Ukraine’s eastern regions where civil violence between pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian groups has translated to constant violence and numerous civilian deaths. For example, violence has erupted at the site of the tragedy of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17.99 Only five days after the plane was shot down, Ukrainian forces sent in military groups to the city of Donetsk over which the plane had been flying.100 In order to escape the violence, supporters of both sides, as well as politically neutral citizens, have attempted to flee their homes. They have migrated to nearby countries or simply escaped to safer areas in Ukraine. One reason for the rapid creation of refugees and displaced persons is the swiftness with which the issue escalated. One Ukrainian refugee living in Poland told BBC news: "The Donbass region was calm, no one bothered us here… then all of a sudden this crazy situation began. I don't quite know how. It came out of nowhere."101 This rapid creation and continual growth of refugees is very concerning for UNHCR. In the month of June 2014 alone, the number of Ukrainian refugees increased by over 17,000.102 As an on-going crisis, the situation in the Ukraine is one of UNHCR’s, as well as the United Nations’, most pressing concerns and must be addressed swiftly and effectively.

The Situation in Crimea

Refugees from Crimea face an even more complicated situation than other refugees in this crisis. After the annexation of Crimea, Russia gave the citizens of Crimea one month to opt-out or opt-in to their new Russian citizenship. This decision was rejected by most Tartars, a large portion of Crimea’s population, who also speak Ukrainian. It is estimated that approximately 12% of Crimea opted-out, many of whom became refugees.103 In a report by The Economist, Kerim, a 50-year old Ukrainian Tartar, was quoted saying: “We don’t want to be Russians, we want to be Ukrainians, now Russians are squabbling over how they will divide up the houses of their Tatar neighbors, even those who are still there.”104 Further complicating the issue is that both sides see the situation very differently. For example, Russia claims that Ukraine has not been supporting refugees on either side of the situation, while Ukraine states that they are willing and able to host 23,000 Crimean refugees.105 With the situation currently so volatile, it is difficult to see where the truth lies, and this juxtaposition of viewpoints further demonstrates the complexities of the issue.

Internally Displaced Persons

The large number of internally displaced persons, which has seen a sharp increase in recent months, also compounds the difficulty of solving Ukraine’s refugee crisis. An internally displaced person

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!99 "Violence Erupts near MH17 Crash Site as Investigators Arrive,” Al-Jazeera America, 21 July 2014, accessed 21 July 2014, http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/21/ukraine-plane-sitecontrol.html. 100 Ibid. 101 Steven Rosenberg,"The Ukrainians Escaping to Russia," BBC News, accessed 30 June 2014, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27993547. 102 "Ukraine," UNHCR, accessed 30 June 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e48d4d6.htm 103 "Crimean Refugees in Lviv." 104 Ibid. 105 Ibid.


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(IDP) is a refugee within their own state.106 Although they have not been forced to emigrate from their home country, they lack many basic provisions, most notably shelter.107 UNHCR in its most recent analysis determined there are approximately 54,450 internally displaced Ukrainians, 12,000 of which are from Crimea. This is a 16,400-person increase from their previous study.108 One unique reason that the high number of internally displaced persons is close to that of external refugees is that many Ukrainians that have fled have not officially applied for refugee status in their country of refuge.109 It is also important to note that although large portions of displaced persons from the Ukrainian crisis are not classified as refugees via application for refugee status, UNHCR has taken the stance of treating all of these people as refugees (including internally displaced persons).110 The majority of IDPs are found in Ukraine’s eastern regions, areas that either border or are geographically near the Russian border. Between 3 June and 23 June, the number of IDPs in east Ukraine increased from approximately 2,500 to 35,000, which amounts to much more than half of all the IDPs in the country. 111 The reason for such a high regional concentration of refugees is the frequency of violence in the eastern Ukrainian region. Mortar blasts and barrages or bullets from automatic firearms are commonplace in Eastern Ukraine, currently a hotbed of revolutionary activity. Although many Ukrainians, especially those who are not radical about political upheaval, deplore the violence, it is clear they are not yet ready to leave their home country. Pavel Drozd, a Ukrainian citizen who runs an Internet café and houses IDPs, reflects this sentiment:

We're trying to support people, but everyone who comes here always asks us, 'When will all of this be over? When are we going to go home?' But I have no idea how to answer. I'm not Obama's brother. I'm not Putin's brother. I'm not Poroshenko. You know, someone who knows the answers. But I understand that the people are suffering, so I always tell them, 'soon'. They think we know more than them, but we don't.112

Obviously, this quote reflects the pessimism that is mounting in many refugees and internally displaced persons. Other compounding issues on top of this already severe crisis are the challenges and questions raised by resettling refugees. UNHCR spokesperson Melisa Fleming said, "Most people are seeking other forms of legal stay [outside Ukraine], often we are told because of concerns about complications or reprisals in case of return to Ukraine."113 Evidently, Ukrainian refugees still hold on to the hope of returning to Ukraine when the severity of violence in the region is reduced.

International Resettlement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!106 "Internally Displaced People," UNHCR News, accessed 21 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c146.html. 107 Ibid. 108 "Sharp Rise in Ukrainian Displacement, with More than 50,000 Internally Displaced," UNHCR News, 27 June 2014, accessed 29 June 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/53ad57099.html. 109 Ibid. 110 Ibid. 111 John Wendle, "Ukraine's Displaced: 'We Want to Go Home,'” Al Jazeera, 29 June 2014, accessed 29 June 2014, http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/06/ukraine-displaced-want-go-home-201462974444293904.html. 112 Ibid. 113 "Sharp Rise in Ukrainian Displacement, with More than 50,000 Internally Displaced," Thomson Reuters Foundation, 28 June 2014, accessed 29 June 2014, http://www.trust.org/item/20140627125222-kxoa7/?source=fiTheWire.


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Large numbers of Ukrainian, pro-Russian refugees have been fleeing from their homes to the Russian border. However, violence has followed them every step of the way. Sadly, a majority of the violence comes from internal fighting between Ukrainians and pro-Russian rebels. As a result, Russia has declared a humanitarian crisis in the nine Ukrainian regions that border Russia, while the Ukrainian government, which is still principally concerned with establishing its own credibility, has not declared the situation an official crisis.114 A Russian border guard was quoted saying: “Taking into account the threat to the people’s lives due to shelling from the Ukrainian side, border guards decided to apply simplified admittance rules and led people to temporary refugee centers located at a safe distance.”115 In order to provide increased assistance to Ukrainian refugees, UNHCR has been working closely with humanitarian groups in Russia and the Russian government itself to supply more places of refuge. The Moscow Times reports that various state facilities, including children's summer camps, are ready to host up to 2,623 Ukrainians. These camps provide psychologists on site and five meals a day for free. As recently as June 2014, 437 Ukrainians were staying in such facilities.116 Although the actions of both Ukraine and Russia are still not completely certain, it seems that Russia has participated more in humanitarian efforts than the international community has given them credit for. On the other hand, Ukraine, battling political and social schisms, has shown they are not fully capable of supporting their struggling citizens as of now. With more and more refugees looking for refuge in other countries, resettlement has become an incredibly pressing issue that UNHCR must help address. The majority of Ukrainian refugees have looked for shelter in states that border Ukraine such as Russia, but a large percentage have also crossed into states such as Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.117 Other Ukrainian refugees have even sought shelter overseas as the United States and Canada have also opened up their borders to house those in need. However, many developed states, particularly the United States, have laws that pose great difficulty for those seeking refugee status. For citizens of states of the former Soviet Union to receive refugee status, they have to fulfill two conditions under the Lautenberg Agreement:

(1) can prove their membership in one of the religious minorities subject to persecution (Jews, Evangelical Christians, Ukrainian Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church) and (2) have first degree relatives permanently residing in the United States. First degree relatives include spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins are not considered first degree relatives.118

Although many former Ukrainian citizens qualify for both conditions of the Lautenberg Agreement it is clear that the protection of the United States is not an option for a significant portion of

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!114 Ibid. 115 "Hundreds of E.Ukrainian Refugees in Firing Line on Russian Border," RT News, 21 June 2014, accessed 23 June 2014, http://rt.com/news/167556-hundreds-refugees-russian-border/. 116 Ivan Nechepurenko, "Russia Declares Emergency Over Ukrainian 'Refugees,' Ukraine Denies Reports," The Moscow Times, 5 June 2014, accessed 23 June 2014, http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-declares-emergency-over-ukrainian-refugees-ukraine-denies-reports/501637.html. 117 “HIAS Responds to Crisis in Ukraine," Programs | HIAS, accessed 29 June 2014, http://www.hias.org/hias-responds-crisis-ukraine-0. 118 Ibid.


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Ukrainian refugees. However, the United States’ northern neighbor, Canada, has responded more favorably to the plight of Ukrainians. Chris Anderson, Canada’s Minster of Citizenship and Immigration, has been quoted saying Canada will “do the right thing” with regards to Ukraine.119 During the escalation of the crisis, Canada tried to streamline immigration policies and has proposed reforms simplifying their refugee application.120 Interestingly, despite being a major catalyst for the issues currently plaguing Ukraine, the Russian Federation has also played a large role in providing shelter for Ukrainian refugees. Between the days of 20 and 22 June, over 60 new Russian accommodation centers were established on the border of Ukraine and Russia.121 In total there are over 200 temporary accommodation centers (TACs) now set up in Russia with the intention of assisting Ukrainian refugees. Russia now accommodates more than 100,000 refugees, and TACs currently accommodate more than 20,000 in western Russia and eastern Ukraine alone.122 Apart from the staggering numbers seeking asylum in Russia, there are around 75,000 seeking refuge in Poland, Czech Republic, Belarus, and Romania.123 All countries attempting to help Ukrainian refugees from domestic violence have garnered praise from the international community, the United Nations, and UNHCR alike. However, despite all the attempts at assistance, many major issues still persist. One of the most severe issues remaining in Ukraine is the living conditions in TACs and other forms of shelter for Ukrainian refugees. Although countries contributing to humanitarian aid are doing much for Ukrainians, there are still difficulties in providing adequate living conditions for refugees. Not all provisions have been inadequate, as there are reports of accommodating refugee centers in certain parts of western Russia.124 Specifically, TACs in the Kabardino-Balkarian region of the Russian Federation have impressed both Ukrainians and UNHCR. Irina Antonenko, a Ukrainian, was reported saying: "locals provide us with everything we need. Yesterday, for example, they brought a baby [carriage] to us.” Another Ukrainian citizen went on to say, "We did not expect such a reception."125

Corruption

It would be far-fetched to assume that well-provisioned refugee camps are commonplace. There have been multiple reports, from independent and UN sources, about difficult conditions for Ukrainian refugees. One of the most startling problems is rampant corruption present in national governments, the EU, and even Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in attempting to provide assistance to refugees. According to a comprehensive independent study conducted by

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!119 Ibid. 120 "Canada Is Ready to Host Refugees from Ukraine," CNN IReport, 27 January 2014, accessed 30 June 2014, http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1078697. 121 "Russia Sets up Another 60 Temporary Accommodation Centers for Ukrainian Refugees," Voice of Russia, 23 June 2014, accessed 30 June 2014, http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_06_23/Russia-sets-up-another-60-temporary-accommodation-centers-for-Ukrainian-refugees-1658/. 122 Ibid. 123 "Number of Ukrainian Refugees in Russia Reaches 110,000 – UN," RIA Novosti. 26 June 2014, accessed 30 June 2014, http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140627/190734862/Number-of-Ukrainian-Refugees-in-Russia-Reaches-110000--UN.html. 124 Ibid. 125 "Refugees from Ukraine Are Satisfied with Living Conditions in KBR (+video)," Caucasian Knot, N.p., 25 June 2014, accessed 30 June 2014, http://eng.kavkaz-uzel.ru/articles/28533/


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Border Monitoring Project Ukraine (BMPU), often money and bribes are the only way to receive adequate shelter.126 One passage of the study reads: “It is suspected that some NGOs only prepare the way for corrupt authorities, they only take your asylum application and take it to the immigration service [if you pay], … they only pave the way for the border guards and the immigration service.”127 Even worse, the study argues that corruption extends to police forces, and other forms of national government. Potentially even more pressing for refugees’ immediate survival is the corruption found inside the application procedure for asylum and even in TACs. The ability of an individual to seek asylum is critical to surviving life as a refugee, as it ensures protection from the state that granted it. However, the ability to receive this status has become reliant on money due to corruption in the system. For example, a Ukrainian refugee described the interview process necessary for application for asylum, saying: “there is one [XY man] in the Migration Service, he is a Ukrainian citizen, if you want an interview, if you want dovidka … he ask for money. So there are people living on the street because they cannot pay.”128 Similar bribery systems are found within TACs. Not only do you have to pay bribes inside the camp, but often times even to enter there is a price. Even more common, however, is having to pay for basic accommodations upon entry to a TAC. One quote given by a current Ukrainian refugee reflects the difficulty in paying these bribes, and the difficulty that ensues if you cannot: “if you pay USD50 you can sleep inside the gate, for USD100 they give you a room [inside the TAC]. Z is the guy [you pay], they asked me to pay but where can I find money to pay?”129 Even when access is granted, curfews and admission into refugee centers are monitored and controlled by local police forces.130 Many of the basic rights for refugees are quickly taken away if they cannot pay the asked price.131 When asked to speak about corruption, an anonymous Ukrainian refugee stated: “I told the police officer that this is for a beer, this is to make friends and to avoid trouble. … I constantly have to give money, sometimes UAH 20, sometimes [USD] 20. Every time, one of the others is in trouble or arrested, I am called [to translate and presumably mediate] and I go and have to pay, either I pay or they are sent to Pavchino [local detention centre].”132 This quote demonstrates the daily struggles that corruption brings into the already difficult lives of refugees. Corruption does not stop at the provision of necessities such as housing, but extends to other important items like clothing as well.133 A former volunteer at a Ukrainian refugee camp went on record stating: “some time ago someone sent large [quantities] of clothes, the NGO took the best clothes and sent the rest to the camp, there the migration service took the best clothes and the rest they gave to the refugees, they were so bad most people didn’t want to take any.”134 These personal accounts convey the corruption present at almost every level of the refugee process. Corruption is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!126 "You Want to Be Free? You Pay Money?" (London: Border Monitoring Project Ukraine: 2011), accessed 30 June 2014, http://bordermonitoring-ukraine.eu/files/2012/01/corruption.pdf. 127 Ibid. 128 Ibid. 129 Ibid. 130 Ibid. 131 Ibid. 132 Ibid. 133 Ibid. 134 "Border Monitoring Project Ukraine (BMPU)," Ukraine BMPU RSS, 6 April 2014, accessed 30 June 2014, http://bordermonitoring-ukraine.eu/.


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one of the most pressing issues for UNHCR to combat as it renders useless any other efforts the committee attempts to make. Corruption cannot be allowed to interfere with humanitarian support, making it an issue this committee desperately needs to address.

Mental and Physical Health of Refugees

While maintaining adequate levels of health is a challenge for all refugees, as the situation in Ukraine continues, the health of its refugees becomes a more pressing concern. One of the most important goals of UNHCR is to maintain adequate health standards for all of the assisted refugees. However, there are many challenges in meeting these standards, one of which is the mix of cultures in four areas: the nationality of the refugees, the nationality of the country in which they are seeking refuge, the nationality of UNHCR volunteers, and the differences in medical practices, standards, and traditions in all of the above cultures.135 A study on refugee health issues explained that,

While there are multiple challenges for every potential patient, people of foreign-born background encounter unique barriers when attempting to benefit from health care; these include difficulties in cross-cultural communication, disparate health practice beliefs, and a limited cultural awareness on the part of the provider.136

This excerpt is reflective of a fundamental issue that UNHCR and our partners face in addressing the current situation in Ukraine. Cultural differences can also lead to misdiagnoses, particularly in foreign countries. This issue is especially prominent when refugees seek asylum in countries with very different medical practices and languages, such as a Ukrainian refugee in the United States or Canada. An example is Sosan, a Ukrainian refugee living in the United States. Her original diagnosis due to the language barrier was that of depression and PTSD. However, when her cousin translated her issues to a new clinic she was then diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel syndrome. The doctor recommended surgery and explained that California State Disability Insurance (SDI) would cover all of her expenses. However, her cousin did not fully understand SDI and Sosan was fearful of surgery. Her lack of treatment lead to the re-aggravation of her Carpal Tunnel syndrome at work. Although Sosan eventually received treatment, this is an example of the medical difficulties refugees face, particularly in significantly different cultures.137 Another challenge all refugees face is that of serious mental issues. A medical study conducted by Ethnomed stated: “Refugees are vulnerable to psychological distress due to uprooting and adjustment difficulties in the resettlement country, such as language, occupational problems, and cultural conflict. Uprooting creates culture shock, a stress response to a new situation in which former patterns of behavior are ineffective and basic cues for social intercourse are absent.”138 As !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!135 Ariel Burgess, "Health Challenges for Refugees and Immigrants," Refugee Reports, 2nd ser., 25 (March/April 2004): 1-20, accessed 30 June 2014, http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ACB7A9B4B95ED39A8525723D006D6047-irsa-refugee-health-apr04.pdf. 136 Ibid 137 Ibid. 138 Atner Richard, "Mental Health Issues of Resettled Refugees," EthnoMed, 18 November 1998, accessed 30 June 2014, http://ethnomed.org/clinical/mental-health/mental-health.


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this suggests, there are abnormally high levels of mental diagnoses such as depression, PTSD generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and adjustment disorder among refugees. Another alarming factor is that these statistics are even higher among children.139 It was concluded that rates of PTSD and major depression in settled refugees range from 10-40% and 5-15%, respectively, but children and adolescents often have higher incidences of these conditions than adults. Various investigations revealed that rates of PTSD range from 50-90% and major depression from 6-40%.”140 These statistics are universal and alarming. Furthermore, all of these issues directly affect refugees in Ukraine. Excessive violence, especially in the form of mortar blasts and gunfire, and its associated civilian deaths, contributes to PTSD.141 Being uprooted and resettled in Russia, the country that many Ukrainians consider to be the reason violence has escalated to this point, contributes to depression and anxiety. Many countries, especially in the West, have expressed doubt that Russia should be protecting these refugees. This is because many countries believe Russia is intentionally perpetuating the issue by providing support for pro-Russian separatists, although Russia has denied such allegations.142 Regardless, for UNHCR to be truly effective in tackling the issues contributing to the refugee crisis, mental health is something that should not be forgotten. Refugee health in the Ukraine follows a similar trend to that of every refugee crisis that has preceded it. Being aware of these conditions, the Russian Federation, in streamlining their refugee application status, has done away with obligatory health tests at their border.143 Russian Prime Minister Medvedev, when asked about the health risks associated with refugees, was quoted saying, “These people must find themselves in humane conditions, regardless of the fate they choose in the future, be it a temporary short-term stay, or receiving refugee status and potential application for Russian citizenship.”144 Furthermore, with Ukraine in the middle of civil upheaval, it is extremely difficult for the country to provide adequate medical support for the internally displaced persons within their own borders. Health conditions in Ukraine and in the countries that supply support for refugees must be considered, addressed, and improved upon order to provide these people with the support they not only need, but are entitled to.

CURRENT STATUS

As the situation in Ukraine worsens, UNHCR has to increase and evolve its involvement in order to be effective. According to UNHCR reports, the primary concern of the agency is currently assisting those who are internally displaced. In May of 2014 there were approximately 10,000 internally displaced persons in Ukraine.145 After running comprehensive field research, UNHCR’s initial

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!139 "Mental Health," Refugee Health, accessed 30 June 2014, http://refugeehealthta.org/physical-mental-health/mental-health/. 140 Ibid. 141 Ibid. 142 Maxime Rotenberg, "Russia Struggles with Half Million Refugees of Ukraine Conflict," Yahoo! News, 22 July 2014, accessed 3 August 2014, http://news.yahoo.com/russia-struggles-half-million-refugees-ukraine-conflict-015111404.html. 143 "Federal Migration Agency Offers Ukrainian Refugees Quicker, Simplified Registration," RT Russian Politics, 30 June 2014, accessed 30 June 2014, http://rt.com/politics/169332-russia-ukraine-refugees-asylum/. 144 Ibid. 145 "UNHCR Says Internal Displacement Affects Some 10,000 People in Ukraine," UNHCR News, 20 May 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/537b24536.html.


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response was described by UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards: “So far this includes providing legal assistance, integration grants for 150 families, cash assistance for 2,000 people, and improved shelters for 50 families."146 Furthermore, UNHCR has accredited the rapid increase in internally displaced persons to the annexation of Crimea that occurred on 6 March 2014 as 12,000 new Ukrainian citizens immediately became internally displaced, or began seeking asylum in foreign countries.147 UNHCR has tracked the current migrations of internally displaced persons and, according to a survey conducted in May, it was concluded that “at least a third of the displaced are children. Most IDP (internally displaced people) families are moving to central (45%) and western Ukraine (26%), though some are also located in the southern and eastern regions. The number of Ukrainian asylum-seekers in other countries has remained low.”148 These reports, however, demonstrate how current and rapidly changing the situation in Ukraine is. However, only a month later it was confirmed that over 14,000 Ukrainian refugees have passed into Russia.149 This demonstrates the increased severity of the issue. What is even more concerning is that, according to Russian source ITAR-TASS, the expected number of Ukrainian refugees in Russia is expected to reach over 300,000 by the end of 2014. Prime Minister Medvedev recently stated, “We expect the total number of migrants from Ukraine to Russia to reach about 300,000 by the end of this year. We presume they will be accommodated in border areas in Central Russia as people have the right to choose their place of living.”150 While these numbers are incredibly alarming and deserve the full attention of UNHCR, it should also be assumed that political tensions between Russian and Ukrainian politics are affecting refugees. Although the picture has become clearer, as recently as March of 2014 there were significant doubts regarding the presence of refugees in Russia at all. International sentiments were reflected in a Huffington Post article that accused the Russian government of reporting false statistics.151 It was speculated these reports were to help the Russian Federation forward its expansionist agenda and increase its involvement in Ukraine. The Huffington Post released statements from Russian news sources in late February 2014 reporting the arrival of over 675,000 Ukrainians in Russia since January 2014, and the warning of ‘a coming humanitarian catastrophe’ if ‘revolution[ary] chaos’ continues in Ukraine.”152 This alarmingly high number was instantly viewed with suspicion by the international community. Many believe Russia is attempting to make the issue appear more severe than it is in order to justify further intervention in the crisis. Although Russia has amended many of these reports, reflected by the numbers given in other sections of the Background Guide, many statistics reported by the Russian Federation should be taken with a grain of salt. However, UNHCR has concluded independently that Russia’s newest reports have been within relative marginal errors

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!146 Ibid. 147 Ibid. 148 Ibid. 149 Rosenberg, "The Ukrainians Escaping to Russia." 150 "Ukrainian Refugees in Russia May Total 300,000 by Yearend," ITAR-TASS, 30 June 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/738387. 151 Ibid. 152 Rebecca Novick, "Is Russia Inventing a Ukrainian Refugee Crisis?" The Huffington Post, 5 March 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-novick/post_7028_b_4895567.html.


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of accuracy.153 According to sources such as BBC, Bloomberg and UNHCR news, there are an estimated 110,000 Ukrainians seeking refuge in Russia.154 The most recent, and most concerning, development in the Ukrainian situation was the end of the Ukrainian ceasefire. This decision occurred on 30 June 2014. Directly following his statements that the ceasefire had ended, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated: "We will attack and free our lands. The decision not to continue the ceasefire is our answer to terrorists, militants and marauders."155 This political decision could have potentially disastrous consequences for the large portion of Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons near the Russian border. Mere hours after the lift of the ceasefire, Ukrainian military forces began open combat with Russian forces on the Ukrainian-Russian border. Russian border guard Andrei Belyaninov told reporters: “Fighting began at around 9:00 a.m. The border patrol stations are currently closed. Russian border guards and employees of the Federal Customs Service have retreated to a safe distance.”156 As a common result of political violence, often innocent bystanders, in this case refugees, have to suffer the worst of the consequences. For example, prolonged violence has forced Russia to close its humanitarian corridor, putting future refugees in danger. With Ukraine’s decision, this humanitarian corridor, or the relative safety guaranteed to Ukrainian refugees fleeing into Russia, is no longer viable. Fortunately, according to the same report: “before closing the posts, Russian authorities were able to get all of the Ukrainian refugees, who were located at the posts at the time, over the border into Russia.”157 Final statements from the report read: “After closing these humanitarian corridors, which about 90% of all Ukrainian refugees [use to] cross into Russia, there is no more possibility [for others], women and children have nowhere to run.”158 The finality of this statement increases the urgency of the issue, pushing the international community and UNHCR to take immediate action to help those in need.

BLOC ANALYSIS

Ukraine

An important factor of Ukraine’s policy to be aware of is that Ukraine’s developments, policies, and actions will change more frequently than those of any other country involved in this situation. The most recent development in Ukraine is their refusal to continue the ten-day ceasefire that was maintained in late June, because Ukraine currently feels that the Russian Federation is infringing on its sovereignty as an independent state.159 Furthermore, the removal of the ceasefire has allowed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!153 Ibid. 154 Daryna Krasnolutska, "Dead Friend in River: Inside Ukraine’s Refugee Crisis," Bloomberg, 27 June 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-26/dead-friend-in-river-inside-ukraine-s-refugee-crisis.html. 155 "Ukraine Ends Ceasefire, Calls for 'attack,'" CNBC, 30 June 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://www.cnbc.com/id/101769730#. 156 Ibid. 157 "Ukrainian National Guards Force Evacuation of Russian Border, Refugees Flee," RIANOVOSTI, 1 July 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://en.ria.ru/world/20140701/190771803/Ukrainian-National-Guards-Force-Evacuation-of-Russian-Border.html. 158 Ibid. 159 Laura Smith-Spark and Radina Gigova,"Ukraine Begins Military Offensive as Cease-fire Ends," CNN, 1 July 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/.


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Ukraine to pursue its actions against pro-Russian groups within its border. Ukraine is still conscious of the fact that this situation has created over 200,000 refugees. Ukraine believes that driving Russian influence out of their borders will return stability to their internal situation and consequently diminish the refugee crisis. However, this is not to say the current situation in Ukraine is not extremely volatile. The initial ceasefire, many countries in the international community believe, prevented Ukraine from bursting into full-fledged civil war between the Nationalist government and pro-Russian separatists forces.160 When dissecting Ukraine’s position on their own refugee crisis there are several factors to consider. Although the country has been caught up in some of the most severe political turmoil in the last thirty years, there has been time, resources, and effort put into protecting their refugees and internally displaced persons. Ukrainian news sources have confirmed that the government in Ukraine has been working with UNHCR, NGOs, and other charitable organizations to provide support for refugees and IDPs by supplying shelter, clothing, food, and medical services, among other things.161 The Ukrainian position is a precarious one, as it is a balancing act of continuing to provide humanitarian support, pursuing its political goals of further European integration, and driving out Russian influence. Furthermore, while Ukraine has been receptive of outside assistance, they see themselves as a credible, sovereign government that can and should resolve the issue primarily by itself. Finally, while Ukraine wants its citizens to remain safe and out of danger, having citizens flee to Russia, the country many Ukrainians blame for igniting this crisis, does not sit well. The position in Ukraine is something that will be constantly changing and will require paying close attention to news outlets and foreign policy. The Ukrainian bloc is something that all other regions of the world must be conscious of.

Eastern Europe

Eastern European states, including Russia, are the most directly involved countries in this crisis excluding Ukraine. The countries that border Ukraine are currently sheltering almost all of their refugees, with over half (110,000) in the Russian Federation. Apart from Russia, other Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Slovakia, and Romania, do not have a hard policy regarding Ukraine. All of these countries have done an exceptional job providing humanitarian support by working with UNHCR and providing assistance for the large numbers of refugees leaving Ukraine. Although harboring increasing numbers of refugees is a hindrance to the well-being of these countries, as well as economically draining, it is a role they have embraced. These countries are the ones who truly understand the severity of the issue. While reaching political stability and security is a long-term solution that these countries want to see, they also want to find the most effective and fair way to provide support for refugees. Many of these states are inching closer to max-capacity with the amount of refugees they can hold. Therefore, these states will want to find effective ways for more distant countries to support Ukrainian refugees.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!160 Ibid. 161 "Yekaterinburg to Organize Charitable Support Programs for Ukrainian Refugees," YekaterinburgNews, 1 July 2014, accessed 1 July 2014, http://yekaterinburgnews.com/daily-news/yekaterinburg-to-organize-charitable-support-programs-for-ukrainian-refugees/9631/.


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Russian Federation

The Russian Federation is in a slightly different situation than its other Eastern European neighbors. Although Russia houses a large majority of Ukrainian refugees, they were considered by many members of the international community to be the instigator of this conflict. Furthermore, even though Russia has provided the most support for refugees, they have received criticism for false statistical reports. As the Russian Federation their policy towards the entire situation is still vague and unclear. Russia does want to provide the most support for refugees as possible, especially because they are concerned about the possibility of housing over 300,000 refugees by the year’s end. Although Russia’s executive branch is in the midst of an international firestorm, there have been numerous, commendable, and extraordinarily beneficial actions taken by humanitarian groups in the country. Russian delegates should be familiar with these organizations and should seek additional help in keeping them effective.

Western States

Developed nations have a large stake in the situation in Ukraine as a product of the interdependence of the global community. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada have all come forward to provide asylum for Ukrainian refugees. Western countries’ involvement is contingent on the fact that as wealthier states, they have the ability to facilitate change. They see the situation in Ukraine as a potential threat to global security. These countries want to see this situation resolved in order to return to more standard global affairs. Furthermore, Western countries, as a majority, have taken a moderate anti-Russian stance. Regardless of alignment, though, these countries do not condone the violence occurring within the Ukraine and on the border. Western countries would like to see a swift end to the political crisis between the Russian Federation and Ukraine in order to address the humanitarian issue. Furthermore, Western states would like to see Ukrainian refugees assisted within their own borders so as not to spread the crisis further than it has already. Although Western states do contribute large amounts of capital in times of crisis, most states do not want to see a large influx of refugees to their own countries and recognize that some states are incapable of supporting such populations. This bloc will want to formulate solutions that will make local camps and rehabilitation more effective.

African, South American and Asian States

Although the large majority of these states are not directly involved with the conflict, they still have an important part in solving it. Furthermore, trans-global issues such as this crisis affect economic activity in all countries. Some of these countries are developing and cannot provide assistance, either financially or in the way of shelter. However, many have experienced refugee crises in the past or are currently experiencing them, making their contributions important and relevant. None of these states want to have the burden of additional refugees, and many of these states would be in favor of increased assistance from developed states. Often more impoverished states consider Western nations as not fully contributing to their potential. Consequently, these states would like to see greater numbers of refugees being rehabilitated in wealthier nations. The effects of a crisis of this magnitude can be felt throughout the world, so although these countries are not particularly involved, they still want to see this situation resolved as quickly and effectively as possible.


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COMMITTEE MISSION

As UNHCR it is important to address all sides of this issue. The mandate of our committee is to protect, assist, and support all refugees and stateless persons.162 Therefore it is our responsibility as a committee of the United Nations and participants in the global community to help the refugees affected by Ukraine’s political crisis. Since there are many diverse issues that UNHCR must address, it is important to start by understanding the complexity of the issue, not only by learning the current status of the topic, but also by knowing the historical roots of the issue. Furthermore, providing assistance to refugees extends far beyond simply supplying shelter, food, or clothing. This committee should probe under the surface to find comprehensive solutions for providing short-term relief for refuges. This would include exploring how best to provide medical assistance for both physical and mental health. Furthermore, as the situation in Ukraine is ongoing, delegates should look into ways to help refugees settle into new areas until they can return home. Examples of such assistance could include providing permanent housing and job training. Finally, UNHCR cannot ignore long-term solutions, because this is the only way to truly eradicate an issue. Although the refugee crisis was created by a political one, the eventual return of refugees to Ukraine and the stabilization of the Ukrainian government is something that should be thoroughly researched. As much as UNHCR should try to explore all possible angles of this topic, there are certain topics that should be avoided. Public awareness campaigns and education are extremely important and should be discussed thoroughly along with a wide range of alternative possibilities. The basic physical and emotional needs of the refugees should be addressed before all else. Finally it is important to understand that UNHCR is constrained to the refugee situation. A complete overhaul of Ukrainian-Russian relations is something this committee simply does not have the jurisdiction to do. Our mission as UNHCR is to provide support for the refugee population currently stuck in this dire predicament.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!162 "ExCom Mandate and Statute," UNHCR News, accessed 19 August 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c86.html.


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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?

TOPIC B

1. How can UNHCR provide immediate protection to refugees in contested areas? 2. How can UNHCR enforce the human rights of refugees and protect their free and protected

movement trying to leave amidst heavy violence and potential civil war? 3. What programs, organizations, and NGOs have had the biggest presence in the situation in

Ukraine? Have they been effective? 4. If these organizations have not been effective, why and how can they improve? 5. How do Ukrainian and Russian relations play into the ongoing issue? Is there anything

UNHCR can do within its jurisdiction to help this? 6. Is your country involved in the issue? If so, to what level has it been involved? 7. Has your country had issues with refugees before? If it has had success, what solutions were

used?


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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

TOPIC A

Brick, Kate, Amy Cushing-Savvi, Samia Elshafie, Alan Krill, Megan McGlynn Scanlon, Marianne Stone. "Refugee Resettlement in the United States." Columbia University, May 2010. Accessed 15 July 2014. http://www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/Columbia%20SIPA%20Report,%205-10.pdf.

A well written Columbian analysis about refugee policy in the United States. This is a good starting point for learning about refugee policy. "Domestic and Refugee Camp Waste Management Collection & Disposal." Oxfam Institute 1 (21 May

2008). Accessed 14 July 2014. http://www.eecentre.org/Modules/DWMG/docs/8/Domestic_refugee_waste.pdf.

A very useful Oxfam report explaining serious problems within the waste disposal area of refugee camps. This is an important subtopic for delegates to discuss. "Facts and Figures about Refugees." UNHCR. Accessed 15 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org.uk/about-us/key-facts-and-figures.html. A UNHCR brief consisting of many useful statistics about refugees and refugee camps. Kennedy, Jim. "Challenging Camp Design Guidelines." FM Review. Accessed 13 July 2014.

http://www.fmreview.org/FMRpdfs/FMR23/FMR2319.pdf. An intriguing piece about the shortfalls of UNHCR camp designs, will help delegates address structural issues. Kent, George. "The Nutritional Rights of Refugees." University of Hawaii, November 2005. Accessed

14 July 2014. http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kent/NRR.pdf. A useful analysis from the University of Hawaii about the nutritional rights of refugees. A good starting point for delegates. "Mental Health in Refugee Camps and Settlements." Uniteforsight.org. Accessed 14 July 2014.

http://www.uniteforsight.org/refugee-health/module2. A study detailing how the living conditions in refugee camps can effect a refugee’s mental health. A good resource for delegates demonstrating the interconnectedness of issues. "UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies, Third Edition." UNHCR News. Accessed 13 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org/472af2972.html. The official UNHCR book for creating refugee camps, absolutely necessary for delegates to research.

TOPIC B

Atner, Richard. "Mental Health Issues of Resettled Refugees." EthnoMed. 18 November 1998. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://ethnomed.org/clinical/mental-health/mental-health.

A medical article discussing the Mental Health Issues that resettled refugees face.


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"Border Monitoring Project Ukraine (BMPU)." BMPU RSS. 6 April 2014. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://bordermonitoring-ukraine.eu/.

A webpage dedicated to the issues of border security on the Ukraine border and its relation to the refugee situation. "Sharp Rise in Ukrainian Displacement, with More than 50,000 Internally Displaced." UNHCR

News. 27 June 2014. Accessed 29 June 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/53ad57099.html. A discussion on the UNHCR website of the recent rise in displaced persons. Smith-Spark, Laura, and Radina Gigova. "Ukraine Begins Military Offensive as Cease-fire Ends."

CNN. 1 July 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/.

A discussion of the military offensive carried out by the Ukraine. "Timeline: Ukraine's Political Crisis."Al-Jazeera.com. 15 May 2014. Accessed 26 June 2014.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/timeline-ukraine-political-crisis-201431143722854652.html.

A general overview of the major events of the Ukraine political crisis. "UNHCR Says Internal Displacement Affects Some 10,000 People in Ukraine." UNHCR News. 20

May 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/537b24536.html. A page on the UNHCR website that discusses the current crisis with internal displacement in the Ukraine. "You Want to Be Free? You Pay Money?" Border Monitoring Project Ukraine, 2011. Accessed 30 June

2014. http://bordermonitoring-ukraine.eu/files/2012/01/corruption.pdf. An article discussing border security and current efforts towards border monitoring in the Ukraine.


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BIBLIOGRAPHY

COMMITTEE HISTORY AND SIMULATION

Cutts, Mark. “Chapter 1: The Early Years.” In The State of the World’s Refugees 2000: Fifty Years of Humanitarian Action. Geneva: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2000. 13-35.

This chapter chronicles the beginning of the UNHCR and its early management of different refugee crises in the 1950s. Guterres, António. “Challenging Times, Dangerous World.” UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013.

Geneva: UNHCR, 2011. This foreword by the current High Commission for Refugees discusses the current work of the UNHCR and its current challenges. “History of UNHCR.” UNHCR. Last Accessed 13 September 2012.

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646cbc.html. This website gives a good overview of the history of the UNHCR and its beginnings. “Mission Statement.” UNHCR Global Appeal 2012-2013. Geneva: UNHCR, 2012. This section discusses the UNHCR’s mandate, goals, and objectives for its work. Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Geneva: UNHCR, 1950. This very important publication states the UNHCR’s mandate and guiding principles as outlined by the UN General Assembly. The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and Its 1967 Protocol. Geneva: UNHCR, 2011. This extremely important publication outlines the rights and responsibilities of refugees, origin states, and host states.

TOPIC A

UN Sources

"Afghan Solutions Strategy." UNHCR News. Accessed 15 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4f9016576.html.

A UNHCR Report that explains activity in Afghanistan, showing delegates how UNHCR operates. "Africa." UNHCR News. Accessed 15 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4a02d7fd6.html. The UNHCR profile of Africa. It provides essential information about refugee statistics in Africa that are a good starting point for research. “Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees”. United Nations General Assembly. 28 July 1951.

Treaty Series, vol. 189, p. 137. Accessed 24 September 2014. http://www.refworld.org/docid/3be01b964.html


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The definition of the word “Refugee” given in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which was then adopted by the UNHCR. "Latest Refugee News." UNHCR. Accessed 15 July 2014.

http://www.unrefugees.org/site/c.lfIQKSOwFqG/b.8238381/k.FD2F/Latest_Refugee_News/apps/nl/newsletter3.asp.

A UNHCR report that provides the newest information on refugee camps and refugees in general. Another good piece of research for delegates. "Refugee Camps, Bar-codes Speed up the Process of Distributing Food." UNHCR News. Accessed

15 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/51fba5126.html. A UNHCR report explaining the benefits of new technology in refugee camps. Will help delegates with learning about technological advances. "Refugee Figures." UNHCR News. Accessed 12 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c1d.html. UNHCR data on refugee figures inside camps and out. Will be a useful point of research for delegates. "Southeast-Asia." UNHCR News. Accessed 15 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4b17be9b6.html. UNHCR’s report of refugee statistics in Southeast Asia. "Tough Living Conditions among Syrian Camp Refugees." UNHCR News. 18 March 2014. Accessed

14 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/532821556.html. UNHCR published a detailed analysis about refugee living conditions. "UN Agencies Highlight Dangers of Increasing Malnutrition in Refugee Camps." UNHCR News.

Accessed 14 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/4346ac9a4.html. Another report detailing the malnutrition issues from living conditions inside refugee camps. "UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies, Third Edition." UNHCR News. Accessed 13 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org/472af2972.html. The official UNHCR book for creating refugee camps, absolutely necessary for delegates to research. "UNHCR Mission Statement." UNHCR. Accessed 15 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49ed83046.html. UNHCR’s mission statement, which delegates should understand. “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” The United Nations. 10 December 1948. Accessed 7

October 2014. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml. This source provides the full English text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)." UNHCR News. Accessed 14 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646cef.html. UNHCR’s WASH program is successful for helping refugee camps. This website explains how the program operates.


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Other Sources

Brick, Kate, Amy Cushing-Savvi, Samia Elshafie, Alan Krill, Megan McGlynn Scanlon, Marianne Stone. "Refugee Resettlement in the United States." Columbia University, May 2010. Accessed 15 July 2014. http://www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/Columbia%20SIPA%20Report,%205-10.pdf.

A well written Columbian analysis about refugee policy in the United States. This is a good starting point for learning about refugee policy. "Containing Disease in a Syrian Refugee Camp in Iraq." IRINnews. 3 July 2014. Accessed 14 July

2014. http://www.irinnews.org/report/98349/containing-disease-in-a-syrian-refugee-camp-in-iraq.

An IRIN report that provides excellent detail of the living conditions inside a Syrian refugee camp. A good place for delegates to get a sense of the issue. Davis, Kiana. "The Dire State of Food Security in the Syrian Refugee Crisis." Hunger-

Undernutrition.org. 9 May 2014. Accessed 14 July 2014. http://www.hunger-undernutrition.org/blog/2014/05/the-dire-state-of-food-security-in-the-syrian-refugee-crisis.html.

A detailed report of the malnutrition issues inside a Syrian refugee camp. Helps provide additional detail to an important subtopic. "Domestic and Refugee Camp Waste Management Collection & Disposal." Oxfam Institute 1 (21 May

2008). Accessed 14 July 2014. http://www.eecentre.org/Modules/DWMG/docs/8/Domestic_refugee_waste.pdf.

A very useful Oxfam report explaining serious problems within the waste disposal area of refugee camps. This is an important subtopic for delegates to discuss. "Facts and Figures about Refugees." UNHCR. Accessed 15 July 2014.

http://www.unhcr.org.uk/about-us/key-facts-and-figures.html. A UNHCR brief consisting of many useful statistics about refugees and refugee camps. Goette, J. “Issues in Nutrition for Refugee Children.” The Centre for Refugee Research. 23 November

2008. Accessed 13 July 2014. http://www.crr.unsw.edu.au/media/File/Nutrition_Issues.pdf.

A strong, and well written account of nutritional struggles within a refugee camp, a good starting point for delegates. Griego, Tina. "Immigration Policy Leaves Refugee Programs Scrambling for Funds." Washington Post.

13 August 2014. Accessed 14 August 2014. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/08/13/immigration-policys-unintended-consequences-refugee-programs-left-scrambling-for-funds/.

This article explains the tradeoffs that are being made in national budgets against refugee protection. Kennedy, Jim. "Challenging Camp Design Guidelines." FM Review. Accessed 13 July 2014.

http://www.fmreview.org/FMRpdfs/FMR23/FMR2319.pdf. An intriguing piece about the shortfalls of UNHCR camp designs, will help delegates address structural issues.


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Kent, George. "The Nutritional Rights of Refugees." University of Hawaii, November 2005. Accessed

14 July 2014. http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kent/NRR.pdf. A useful analysis from the University of Hawaii about the nutritional rights of refugees. A good starting point for delegates. Looney, Christopher. "Millions of Refugees from Syria’s War Are Clinging to Life In Toxic

Conditions." The Daily Beast. 4 April 2014. Accessed 12 July 2014. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/14/millions-of-refugees-from-syria-s-war-are-clinging-to-life-in-toxic-conditions.html.

A first-person news article describing the horrid conditions inside refugee camps. Provides good perspective for delegates. McClelland, Mac. "How to Build a Perfect Refugee Camp." The New York Times. 15 February 2014.

Accessed 14 July 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/16/magazine/how-to-build-a-perfect-refugee-camp.html?_r=0.

A New York Times article on the successes of a Turkish refugee camp. Is a good starting point for solutions. "Mental Health in Refugee Camps and Settlements." Uniteforsight.org. Accessed 14 July 2014.

http://www.uniteforsight.org/refugee-health/module2. A study detailing how the living conditions in refugee camps can effect a refugee’s mental health. A good resource for delegates demonstrating the interconnectedness of issues. "MIDDLE EAST: Refugees and IDPs by Country." IRINnews. Accessed 15 July 2014.

http://www.irinnews.org/report/90663/middle-east-refugees-and-idps-by-country. An IRIN report explaining the issues facing the countries of the Middle-East. Will help Middle-Eastern delegates with policy. "Module 3: Food, Water, Sanitation, and Housing in Refugee Camps." Uniteforsight.org. Accessed 14

July 2014. http://www.uniteforsight.org/refugee-health/module3. A study of the issues with water and sanitation inside refugee camps. It provides useful research that will be helpful for delegates. Park, Madison. "Which Countries Take in Most Refugees? Not the West." CNN. Accessed 15 July

2014. http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/05/world/asia/refugees-asylum-statistics/. A report explaining why Western countries have not been sharing the responsibility for refugees with developing countries. Sweis, Rana F. "New Refugee Camp in Jordan Tries to Create a Community for Syrians." The New

York Times. May 30, 2014. Accessed 15 July 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/31/world/middleeast/new-refugee-camp-in-jordan-absorbs-flood-from-syria.html?_r=0.

An account of a Jordanian refugee camp that is attempting to fix structural issues. "Ten Largest Refugee Camps." The Wall Street Journal. Accessed 12 July 2014.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323932604579052742703621858#3.


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A Wall Street Journal article explaining the situations in the 10 largest refugee camps around the world. Will help delegates learn the basics about the most prevalent camps.

TOPIC B

UN Sources

"Sharp Rise in Ukrainian Displacement, with More than 50,000 Internally Displaced." UNHCR News. 27 June 2014. Accessed 29 June 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/53ad57099.html.

UNHCR article that provides additional information on the increase in the displacement of Ukrainians. "Ukraine." UNHCR. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e48d4d6.html. UNHCR’s profile of Ukraine and their refugee situation. An absolutely critical starting point. "UNHCR Says Internal Displacement Affects Some 10,000 People in Ukraine." UNHCR News. 20

May 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/537b24536.html. UNHCR article that not only provides useful statistics about the situation but also elaborates on Ukraine’s actions to help its citizens. Other Sources

"Border Monitoring Project Ukraine (BMPU)." BMPU RSS. 6 April 2014. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://bordermonitoring-ukraine.eu/.

The border monitoring project is an independent organization that supplies incredibly reliable and informative statistics about the situation in Ukraine. A great starting point for delegates trying to get a grasp on the issue. Burgess, Ariel. "Health Challenges for Refugees and Immigrants." Refugee Reports, 2nd ser., 25

(March/April 2004): 1-20. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ACB7A9B4B95ED39A8525723D006D6047-irsa-refugee-health-apr04.pdf.

This article reflects the health challenges faced by all refugees, not specifically Ukrainian ones. It is a good introduction to delegates about the physical and mental effects facing refugees. "Canada Is Ready to Host Refugees from Ukraine." CNN IReport. 27 January 2014. Accessed 30

June 2014. http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1078697. A CNN report that provides a Western perspective on the issue in Ukraine. This article should help delegates understand the political balancing act Western nations must address in this debate. "Federal Migration Agency Offers Ukrainian Refugees Quicker, Simplified Registration." RT Russian

Politics. 30 June 2014. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://rt.com/politics/169332-russia-ukraine-refugees-asylum/.

This Russian Times article provides a Russian perspective of the refugee crisis in Ukraine. Regardless of formerly questionable statistics the article still demonstrates the severe burden Russia currently carries. "HIAS Responds to Crisis in Ukraine." Programs HIAS. Accessed 29 June 2014.

http://www.hias.org/hias-responds-crisis-ukraine-0.


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This article gives a detailed overview of internally displaced persons in Ukraine. A good starting point for delegates to research. Krasnolutska, Daryna. "Dead Friend in River: Inside Ukraine’s Refugee Crisis." Bloomberg.com. 27

June 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-26/dead-friend-in-river-inside-ukraine-s-refugee-crisis.html.

A Bloomberg study that reflects the severity of the violence inside Ukraine. The article also gives an accurate reflection of the numbers living in Russia as well as the people struggling as internally displaced persons. "Mental Health." Refugee Health. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://refugeehealthta.org/physical-mental-

health/mental-health/. A medical report explaining the mental issues faced by refugees. Essential research for delegates exploring the mental effects of being a refugee. Novick, Rebecca. "Is Russia Inventing a Ukrainian Refugee Crisis?" The Huffington Post. 5 March

2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-novick/post_7028_b_4895567.html.

The Huffington Post article that accused Russia of false reporting in order to support its own political agenda. A good article to teach delegates to at least question the information they read. "Number of Ukrainian Refugees in Russia Reaches 110,000 – UN." RIA Novosti. 26 June 2014.

Accessed 30 June 2014. http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140627/190734862/Number-of-Ukrainian-Refugees-in-Russia-Reaches-110000--UN.html.

This article states that in June 2014, the number of Ukrainian refugees in Russia is around 110,000. This is a strong contrast from the over 600,000 refugees Russia was reporting in late February. "Refugee Numbers in Ukraine on the Rise." DW.DE. 11 June 2014. Accessed 28 June 2014.

http://www.dw.de/refugee-numbers-in-ukraine-on-the-rise/a-17700146. Another report indicating that the Ukrainian situation is growing and does not seem to be improving anytime soon. It is further reinforcement of the magnitude of the situation. Richard, Atner. "Mental Health Issues of Resettled Refugees." EthnoMed. 18 November 1998.

Accessed 30 June 2014. http://ethnomed.org/clinical/mental-health/mental-health. Another medical report highlighting the mental effects of life as a refugee. Rosenberg, Steven. "The Ukrainians Escaping to Russia." BBC News. Accessed 30 June 2014.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27993547. A BBC article that confirms many of the Russian reports are true. This shows a universal consensus of the situation for delegates. "Sharp Rise in Ukrainian Displacement, with More than 50,000 Internally Displaced." Thomson

Reuters Foundation. 28 June 2014. Accessed 29 June 2014. http://www.trust.org/item/20140627125222-kxoa7/?source=fiTheWire.

This report deals primarily with the rapid increase in internally displaced persons. A strong resource for delegates to explore that facet of debate.


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Smith-Spark, Laura, and Radina Gigova. "Ukraine Begins Military Offensive as Cease-fire Ends." CNN. 1 July 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/01/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/.

A report of the situation in Ukraine regarding the ceasefire. Essential knowledge for an on-going situation. "Timeline: Ukraine's Political Crisis."Al-Jazeera.com. 15 May 2014. Accessed 26 June 2014.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/03/timeline-ukraine-political-crisis-201431143722854652.html.

Another timeline that provides additional information that will be useful for delegates. "Violence Erupts near MH17 Crash Site as Investigators Arrive | Al Jazeera America." Aljazeera

America. July 21, 2014. Accessed July 21, 2014. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/21/ukraine-plane-sitecontrol.html.

A news article recounting the violence in Ukraine. This report is specifically after the crash of flight MH17. "Ukraine Crisis Timeline." BBC News. 27 June 2014. Accessed 27 June 2014.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-26248275. A BBC timeline of the entire Ukrainian crisis. Essential starting point for a basic understanding of the issue. "Ukraine Ends Ceasefire, Calls for 'attack'" CNBC. 30 June 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101769730#. A report about the recent removal of the ceasefire in Ukraine. Is a great resource for delegates as it ties into the relation to refugees. "Ukraine's Humanitarian Crisis." RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Accessed 28 June 2014.

http://www.rferl.org/contentinfographics/infographics/25426413.html. Another article dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. This article gives delegates another point of reference. "Ukrainian National Guards Force Evacuation of Russian Border, Refugees Flee." RIANOVOSTI.

1 July 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://en.ria.ru/world/20140701/190771803/Ukrainian-National-Guards-Force-Evacuation-of-Russian-Border.html.

Another article about the removal of Ukraine’s ceasefire. It gives a fantastic account of the violence facing all sides. "Ukrainian Refugees in Russia May Total 300,000 by Yearend." ITAR-TASS. 30 June 2014.

Accessed 1 July 2014. http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/738387. A Russian report about expected growth of refugees. This report offers good perspective about the situations magnitude to delegates. "UN: 110,000 People Fled Ukraine to Russia This Year." - RT News. 27 June 2014. Accessed 27 June

2014. http://rt.com/news/168844-un-refugees-ukraine-russia/. A report with confirmation from the UN about refugees in Russia. Wendle, John. "Ukraine's Displaced: 'We Want to Go Home'." Al Jazeera. 29 June 2014. Accessed 29

June 2014. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/06/ukraine-displaced-want-go-home-201462974444293904.html.

An account of personal refugee situations in Ukraine. A useful tool for delegates.


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"Yekaterinburg to Organize Charitable Support Programs for Ukrainian Refugees."

YekaterinburgNews. 1 July 2014. Accessed 1 July 2014. http://yekaterinburgnews.com/daily-news/yekaterinburg-to-organize-charitable-support-programs-for-ukrainian-refugees/9631/.

A report detailing how Ukraine is helping their own citizens who are now IDPs. "You Want to Be Free? You Pay Money?" Border Monitoring Project Ukraine. Frankfurt: Pro Asyl

Foundation, 2011. Accessed 30 June 2014. http://bordermonitoring-ukraine.eu/files/2012/01/corruption.pdf.

An incredibly detailed study about corruption in the asylum process. Offers great perspective and is an essential research tool.