From Responsibility to Response: Assessing National - Brookings

Benchmark 7
Designate an Institutional Focal Point
on IDPs”
Has the government designated a national
institutional focal point for addressing
internal displacement?
For a government to meet its responsibilities in situations
of internal displacement, it must have a clear
sense of exactly which government actors are responsible
for doing what. If it does not, it runs the risk, as
the saying goes, that “if everyone is responsible, then
no one is responsible” and little to nothing gets done.
Designating a government focal point for addressing internal
displacement is important not only for clarifying
institutional responsibilities but also for increasing government
accountability. The Framework for National
Responsibility points out that having a national institutional
focal point on internal displacement also can be
essential to ensuring sustained national attention to the
issue. International guidance on the development of law
and policies relating to internal displacement considers
designating an institutional focal point for IDP issues at
the national level and, when appropriate, at the subnational
level among the “minimum essential elements” of
state regulation of internal displacement. 1
Certainly, addressing internal displacement is a shared
responsibility that almost certainly will require the
collective efforts of a range of government offices and
agencies. Government actors need first of all to be made
aware of their responsibilities. Moreover, given that a
number of different actors are sure to be involved in the
response, someone needs to be in charge of coordinating
their efforts. The national institutional focal point for
IDP issues is not expected to assume and implement all
1 Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement,
Protecting Internally Displaced Persons: A Manual for Law
and Policymakers (October 2008), p. 263 (www.brookings.
edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2008/1016_internal_
displacement/10_internal_displacement_manual.pdf).
Benchmark 7 Designate an Institutional Focal Point on IDPs
87
the responsibilities of the government regarding internal
displacement; rather, as the term “focal point” suggests,
this body should play a leading role, mobilizing and coordinating
the efforts of all other relevant government
actors. For example, in the development and implementation
of national law, policies and strategies on internal
displacement, the institutional focal point typically is
expected to steer such efforts. It also should serve as the
primary coordinating and implementing actor within
government and as the main interlocutor on IDP issues
with external stakeholders, including international
actors, donors, civil society groups and IDPs.
As the Framework for National Responsibility sketches
out, a number of different institutional options exist.
The designated focal point on IDP issues may be an
existing government agency, which then adds this function
to its responsibilities; in countries where there is a
ministry or department dealing with refugee issues, it is
common for responsibility for IDPs to be added to its
portfolio. Or a new government office, department, or
even ministry may be created for this purpose. Another
option, one which may supplement the work of a focal
point institution, is to establish an interagency government
committee or working group on IDPs.
Regardless of the form that the national institutional
focal point takes, the Framework specifies that it should
have several essential characteristics. Its mandate and
responsibilities should encompass protection and assistance.
Staff should be trained on IDP issues, in particular
on the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement
and on how to operationalize the principles in practice
(see Benchmark 4). The Framework also stresses that in
order to carry out its mandate effectively, the institution
must enjoy a certain political authority and be equipped
with adequate resources (see also Benchmark 11). Close
collaboration with NGOs is encouraged; indeed, it can
be a means of reinforcing the capacity of the institution.
As a comprehensive national response to internal
displacement requires the engagement of various
ministries or offices of government—including justice,
security, education and health and the electoral