UNCHR
The protection of 19.2 million uprooted people is the core mandate of UNHCR. The agency does this in several ways. Using the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention as its major tool, it ensures the basic human rights of vulnerable persons and that refugees will not be returned involuntarily to a country where they face persecution. Longer term, the organization helps civilians repatriate to their homeland, integrate in countries of asylum or resettle in third countries. Using a world wide field network, it also seeks to provide at least a minimum of shelter, food, water and medical care in the immediate aftermath of any refugee exodus.
What?
Sector
Where
When
With Whom
Sector?
Refugees, Humanitarian Emergencies
What?
Strategic Communication, Strategic Partnerships
Where?
Republic of Macedonia
Why?
The Centre for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies was a newly established think tank. The challenge was how to establish linkages and partnerships with the well-established think tanks around the world on refugee and migration issues.
When?
2000, 2001
What Exactly?
In 2000 UNHCR and the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje jointly set up the Centre for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (CRFMS). UNHCR commissioned me to develop the strategy for this Think Tank including a Communications Strategy.Following the strategy a website, newsletter, brochures and flyers were developed for the Centre. Targeted dissemination of the outreach material resulted in high visibility of the Centre and its output.We established a strategic partnership with the Brookings Institute and an international conference in Skopje on IDPs was organized.
With Whom?
UNCHR, University Of Skopje
What Happened?
Strategic partnerships were established with leading think tanks including the Brookings Institute and the European Centre for Minority Issues and an international conference in Skopje on IDPs was established.
Director
European Centre for Ministry Issues, Germany
Sector?
Refugees, Humanitarian Emergencies
What?
Strategic Communication, Strategic Planning, Strategic Partnerships
Where?
Republic of Macedonia
Why?
Within the first ten years of its existence, two major refugee influxes impacted the Republic of Macedonia. Support of the international community helped the country cope gracefully with these humanitarian emergencies. Acknowledging the inherent volatility of the region, it was vital that the know- how generated in the country in dealing with displaced populations is institutionalized and capacity be built systematically for emergency preparedness.
When?
2000, 2001
What Exactly?
I conducted a needs assessment and a mapping of potential partners. I then developed the project proposal and fundraised with donors to set up the Center for Refugees and Forced Migration Studies (CRFMS) at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. The aim of the Center is to become a leading regional resource center in its field; to foster a regional network of similar research centers and to promote standards of excellence in research on Refugee and Forced Migration related subjects. Set up with seed funding from UNHCR, I led vigorous fundraising andexpandedthe portfolio of donors. Ialso set up and mentored the project management team of the centre. The project was implemented from February 2000 to September 2001.
With Whom?
UNCHR
What Happened?
Set up of an active, well functioning research centre on refugee and forced migration issues
Established a wide portfolio of donors thus enhancing the sustainability of the centre
Management staff was trained to take over the management of the centre
Well functioning resource center with a specialized library
Internationally networked program on refugee studies was established
Adviser, Human Rights & Democracy
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Department for Europe, Division for South Eastern Europe.
Sector?
Refugees, Global Health
What?
Negotiations, Project Development, Assessments And Evaluation, Dialogue Management
Where?
Republic of Macedonia
Why?
In 1999 during the Kosovo refugee crisis, following concerns of inter-ethnic instability, the Republic of Macedonia imposed a condition on the international community for admitting refugees from neighboring Kosovo. The number of refugees that are evacuated from Macedonia to NATO countries would be the number of newly admitted refugees into the country. In the race against time, while it was vital to evacuate as many refugees as possible, it was important to give priority to vulnerable cases. Prioritizing medical cases among an exhausted from difficult travels and traumatized population was one aspect of the challenge. The other- convincing reluctant host governments accept medical cases for evacuation and the associated costs to their health systems.
When?
2000
What Exactly?
Sunoor Verma’s services were retained by the UNHCR to formulate priority criteria for the evacuation of refugee patients to NATO countries. Sunoor prioritized the cases from 7 geographically dispersed refugee camps, and negotiated with NATO country delegations transfer and treatment of emergency medical cases from among the refugees. He coordinated and monitored the facilities for evacuation of severely ill refugees. He played a key role in the initiation, planning and implementation of extending the medical evacuation program to approximately 200,000+ host family refugee cases. Sunoor monitored the standard of medical escorts during evacuation. He worked in partnership with local medical authorities, government authorities, donor community and NGOs to facilitate the patient evacuation process.
With Whom?
UNCHR
What Happened?
Medical evacuation program extended to approximately 200,000+ refugees residing with host families.
Significant increase in evacuation of patient to NATO countries for treatment.
Adviser, Department for Europe
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency