Agenda for Protection (Third Edition) - PoA-ISS

AGENDAFORPROTECTIONpercentage of their development funds to programmes thatsimultaneously benefit refugees and the local population inhost countries.States are also encouraged to maker greater use ofresettlement, both as a protection and burden-sharing tool,particularly in mass-influx situations. Since responsibilitysharinginvolves participation among a broad array of partnersin protection, the Programme of Action aims to strengthenrelationships with civil society, including NGOs, and tonurture community-based systems of protection within refugeepopulations.4Another of the Programme’s goals, addressing securityrelatedconcerns more effectively, focuses on the myriadsecurity problems confronting refugees. The breakdown insocial and cultural systems, the separation from or loss offamily members and community, and the impunity with whichperpetrators of crimes against refugees act, render refugees,and particularly refugee women and children, vulnerable toabuse. All too often, refugee women endure rape, abductionand trafficking at the hands of fellow refugees, hostcommunities, local authorities or humanitarian workers.Refugees, especially girls, are frequently subjected to sexualexploitation, violence and abuse. Armed groups and nationalarmed forces frequently target refugee children andadolescents for forcible military recruitment.The Programme of Action proposes measures to ensure thatStates and UNHCR work together to preserve the civiliancharacter of asylum. These will entail separating armedelements from refugee populations and developing14