HIGHLIGHTS
In December, UNHCR Representatives for Mali and for the three main countries of asylum for Malian refugees, namely Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger, finalized a 2016-2017 UNHCR Regional Strategy for protection and assistance to Malian displaced. The strategy lays out concrete solutions for a coordinated and harmonized response to the Malian crisis among concerned countries. According to this strategy, while the security situation in Mali remains volatile, UNHCR will continue to maintain protection for Malian displaced and reinforce access to essential services. Increased efforts will also be made towards strengthening people of concern’s self-reliance. UNHCR will also work towards durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary repatriation. Interventions in the host population in countries of asylum are also among UNHCR’s main priorities to maintain peaceful coexistence between the refugee and the host communities.
More than 500 refugees have been mobilized during the 16 Days of Activism campaign “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All!” which was launched on 25 December. Sensitization events were organized both in Nouakchott and Mberra camp in order to drive attention on the importance of education as a fundamental right, particularly for girls.
To promote social inclusion and support for people living with disabilities, in November UNHCR carried out several training and sensitization initiatives both in Nouakchott and Mberra camp. More than a hundred humanitarian workers were trained on a better understanding of disability-related issues and actors ranging from local NGOs to local governmental agencies dealing with disable people were involved through capacity building sessions.