Human Settlements and Urban Issues
Summary of UNHCR's achievements in 2023
In 2023 UNHCR offices around the globe made resettlement submissions for 155486 refugees located in 96 countries of asylum to 24 resettlement States and thereby increased UNHCR’s submissions by 33 per cent compared to 2022. This represents the second highest number of submissions in decades (2016 so far being a record year). This was achieved thanks to strong collaborations and partnerships the use of innovative tools and approaches as well as the valuable support of resettlement countries including through earmarked funding which strengthened UNHCR’s capacity to identify assess and submit refugees for resettlement and to ensure necessary operational support. In particular the resettlement deployment scheme assisted 43 operations allowing them to strengthen their resettlement processing capacity swiftly.
West and Central Africa
The Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa provides oversight coordination and support for resettlement activities in Burkina Faso Cameroon Multi-Country Office [covering the Republic of Cameroon (Cameroon) the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Equatorial Guinea) the Gabonese Republic (Gabon) and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (Sao Tome & Principe)] the Central African Republic (CAR) the Republic of Chad (Chad) Cote d’Ivoire Multi-Country Office [covering the Republic of Benin (Benin) the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (Cote d’Ivoire) the Republic of Ghana (Ghana) the Republic of Liberia (Liberia) the Togolese Republic (Togo)] the Republic of Mali (Mali) the Republic of the Niger (Niger) the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) and Senegal Multi-Country Office [covering the Republic of Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) the Republic of the Gambia (Gambia) the Republic of Guinea (Guinea Conakry) the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (Guinea-Bissau) the Republic of Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone) the Republic of Senegal (Senegal)].
Introduction
Resettlement is a process that enables refugees to relocate to another country with a legal status ensuring international protection and ultimately permanent residence. It offers individuals and families a unique and meaningful chance to rebuild their lives in an environment where their rights are protected and where access to naturalization and citizenship promise an end to years of displacement.
Land administration and governance
Land administration and governance encompasses a range of governance regulations processes and functions. It plays a crucial role in facilitating and protecting property rights/tenure and transfers regulating land use decisions and planning to promote development social equity conservation and economic growth managing property-related records and information and facilitating property valuation and taxation.
Southern Africa
The Regional Bureau for Southern Africa oversees the protection and solutions strategies for asylum-seekers and refugees’ populations hosted in 16 countries and covered by eight Country Representations in the Republic of Angola (Angola) the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) the Republic of Malawi (Malawi) the Republic of Mozambique (Mozambique) the Republic of the Congo (RoC) the Republic of Zambia (Zambia) the Republic of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) and the South Africa Multi-Country Office that covers nine countries including the Republic of Botswana (Botswana) the Union of the Comoros (Comoros) the Kingdom of Eswatini (Eswatini) the Kingdom of Lesotho (Lesotho) the Republic of Madagascar (Madagascar) the Republic of Mauritius (Mauritius) the Republic of Namibia (Namibia) the Republic of Seychelles (Seychelles) and the Republic of South Africa (South Africa).
Urgent and emergency resettlement processing
Resettlement quotas without predetermined geographical location are referred to as “unallocated quotas”. When made available by States they represent a small portion of a country’s resettlement quota and are a vital part of the global resettlement programme. These quotas contrast with the allocated quotas which are granted after consultations between the resettlement State and UNHCR based on projected resettlement needs of larger populations and aligning with the resettlement State’s policy priorities.
Identifying resettlement needs: Good practice from Uganda
The identification of resettlement needs is part of UNHCR’s ongoing protection and assistance activities. Over several decades UNHCR has developed policies procedures and tools to enhance efficiency in the identification of refugees in line with the resettlement categories defined in consultation with resettlement countries. UNHCR uses a combination of diverse case identification methodologies including protection referrals the strategic use of its database (proGres) or by leveraging the existence of other relevant data. Complex environments in which UNHCR operates have continuously put these tools and methods to the test. An objective non-discriminatory and consistent case identification methodology for resettlement promotes trust in the system ensures UNHCR’s accountability to affected people and upholds integrity standards. UNHCR continues to refine its tools to strengthen the ability to reach out to the refugees in need of this solution. A recent example of such an initiative is found in Uganda.
Executive summary
Almaty is a vibrant metropolitan city. It serves as a significant hub for business economy culture and education both in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It has set its sights on a vision of becoming one of the leading smart and sustainable cities in the UNECE region and beyond. Since gaining independence Almaty alongside the nation’s capital Astana has experienced tremendous growth paving the way for significant progress in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Executive summary
Albania a candidate for accession to the European Union (EU) has been implementing comprehensive reforms in the housing urban development and land management sectors. These reforms aim to meet EU requirements and internationally recognized standards and best practices with a view to improve the quality of life of its citizens.
Urban and regional development and planning
Albania has a relatively high urbanization rate with around 63 per cent of the population living in urban areas in 2021 and 62 per cent in 2020.
Institutional and financial framework and Urban development priorities
The city of Almaty operates under state subordinance and is not considered part of the surrounding Almaty Oblast. Law No. 148 on Local Government and Self-Government in Kazakhstan of 23 January 2001 defines the powers of local government bodies at all levels.
Introduction
Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan for almost seven decades from 1929 to 1997. It is the largest city in Kazakhstan and remains the major commercial and cultural centre. Over one-third of all higher education institutions are located in Almaty. The city has ambitious plans to strengthen its position as a major socio-economic hub in Kazakhstan by transitioning into a smart and sustainable city.
Executive summary
This Handbook was written under the supervision of Kimberly Roberson with assistance from Shelley Gornall Robert Heyn Lynnette Larsen Gregg McDonald Rachelle Cloutier Kelly Ryan and Cecilia Utas. The Needs Assessment Handbook is the product of close consultation and collaboration among UNHCR staff with key contributions from the Bureaux; Division of International Protection; Division of Emergency Security and Supply; Division of Programme Support and Management; Innovation; and many dedicated UNHCR field colleagues.
Financing affordable housing
Different stakeholders including government bodies private entities and international agencies play a role in the housing market of Albania. The private sector is the main player in housing construction transactions and finance and the dynamics of the housing market follow the macroeconomic conditions. However the mortgage market in Albania is still limited due to a lack of demand from the population and appropriate mortgage products. International financial institutions and countries are providing other forms of assistance and financial instruments.