FM calls for provision of funds, debt relief to refugee hosting countries

ISLAMABAD : Global challenges require a global response and the international community should work in harmony in an effort to ease the effects of coronavirus outbreak on vulnerable refugees.Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s remarks came at an online panel titled “Situation of Refugees and Other Displaced Persons during the Pandemic: The Need for Cooperation, Antalya Diplomacy Forum” where top diplomats of Iraq, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon were present along with representatives from the EU, WHO and UN. Qureshi called for provision of liquidity and necessary fiscal space through stimulus package and debt relief for the large refugee hosting countries. He said that host countries should be supported in building the necessary infrastructure and services amidst the coronavirus challenge. He said they should also be immediately provided with testing kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizers, masks and isolation facilities, ventilators and ambulances. The foreign minister said that hostilities must be ceased in the countries of origin of the refugees to stop further displacement. The work on creation of pull factors for return and reintegration of the refugees is also a must.Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that virus does not differentiate on the basis of nationality, place, religion, ethnicity or colour. He said it is time to exhibit the true meaning of leaving no one behind. The minister said that substantial decrease in foreign remittances, which are an important source of economic growth in the developing countries, is expected. He said that the people have lost their livelihoods and poverty is on the rise, while global economy is contracting, and a number of productive sectors are on the verge of bankruptcy in the wake of Covid-19. The foreign minister said that Pakistan has been hosting millions of registered and unregistered Afghan refugees for last four decades. He said Pakistan, despite of financial constraints, offered a number of facilities like health, education, social mobility and opening up of bank accounts for Afghan refugees. Shah Mahmood said that Pakistan has been financing needs of Afghan population in the country through its own resources without any discrimination. He said that United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has only provided limited support to whom they consider a refugee, which excludes 1.6 million Afghan refugees. The minister said that UNCHR has launched an appeal of $20.6 million for Afghan refugees in Pakistan amidst Covid-19 which only deals with the needs of 1.4 million refugees registered with UNHCR and does not take into account 1.6 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. He said no state can handle the magnitude of this crisis alone and international cooperation is required more than ever before.Shah Mahmood said that it is imperative to revalidate the principles of sharing responsibilities and burden and support large refugee hosting countries during these difficult times. He said resources for protecting refugee situation must not diminish at this hour.