From Responsibility to Response: Assessing National - Brookings

CHAPTER 1 Assessing National Approaches to Internal Displacement: Findings from 15 Countries
In terms of policy development, Afghanistan 25 was
seemingly more active on the issue of internal displacement
at a national level several years ago than it has been
in recent times. In 2003, the government of Afghanistan
committed itself to the Guiding Principles through its
Regional Operational Plan (2003) for the south of the
country, which states that “the UN Guiding Principles
on Internal Displacement are to be adhered to by the
Afghan State to promote and seek permanent solutions
for IDPs.” In 2005, the Consultative Group on Returnees,
Refugees, and IDPs endorsed the National IDP Plan
and Policy, which emphasized durable solutions and
affirmed the government’s responsibility to address
internal displacement. This group was reportedly the
mechanism that facilitated coordination between the
government and the United Nations as of April 2003.
The National IDP Plan and Policy was an initiative of
the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development,
the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, and the
Ministry of Frontiers and Tribal Affairs, which was supported
by UNHCR, the UN Development Programme,
the World Food Programme, and the UN Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan. The Consultative Group also
agreed to respect the Guiding Principles. However, both
the Regional Operational Plan and the National IDP
Plan and Policy are defunct. 26
Within the Afghanistan National Development
Strategy, the Afghan government adopted the Refugee
Return and IDP (RRI) Sector Strategy, thereby committing
itself to ensuring durable return and reintegration
for the displaced. Accordingly, the relevant ministries
commit to incorporate returnee requirements into their
national development programs. The RRI Strategy was
also affirmed in Kabul at an International Conference
on Return and Reintegration in November 2008.
The government of Sudan adopted the National Policy
on Internally Displaced Persons in January 2009, which
refers to and generally incorporates the UN Guiding
25 See further, Afghanistan case study in chapter 2 of this
volume.
26 Key informant interview, July 2011.
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Principles on Internal Displacement. While the policy
focuses in large measure on South Sudan, as follow-up to
implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,
it was intended to apply to all levels of government
throughout the entire country. The national policy recognizes
the civil and political as well as economic, social
and cultural rights of the country’s IDPs. It strives to promote
voluntary settlement and reunification of IDP families
and to involve affected groups and communities in
planning programs and projects that seek to respond to
their needs. By promoting reintegration, the government
seeks to establish sustainable peace and development
programs that reduce relief dependency and encourage
self-reliance. 27 Nevertheless, the policy’s implementation
as of 2011 has been largely stalled.
In July 2008, the government of Iraq adopted the
National Policy on Displacement, which creates a
framework focused on protection during displacement,
but also includes some elements that could support
durable solutions (for example, with respect to
property and compensation.) The policy covers those
displaced before 2003—“‘transferred/relocated populations,’
i.e., those who were forced to leave their homes
as a result of state policies”—and those displaced after
2003. 28 Notably, the policy defines IDPs in accordance
with the Guiding Principles and states that assistance,
monitoring and pursuit of durable solutions are to be
undertaken in accordance with the principles. Included
in the policy are provisions outlining government responsibilities
to address displacement. The Ministry of
Displacement and Migration is responsible for coordinating,
monitoring, and overseeing the implementation
of the policy. The role of local authorities, however, is
27 For full text, see Brookings-Bern Project on Internal
Displacement, “National and Regional Laws and Policies
on Internal Displacement: Sudan” (www.brookings.edu/
projects/idp/Laws-and-Policies/sudan.aspx).
28 Sections 2.1.1, 2.1.2; see full text of policy at Brookings-
Bern Project on Internal Displacement, “National and
Regional Laws and Policies on Internal Displacement:
Iraq” (www.brookings.edu/projects/idp/Laws-and-Policies/
iraq.aspx).