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Non-transactional support mechanisms for socio-economic inclusion refugees and host communities
The Republic of Congo hosts over 65,000 refugees and asylum seekers (1), mainly from the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the Organization of African Unity's Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, the Republic of Congo is characterized by a context conducive to the socio-economic inclusion of refugees. The latter benefit from a positive protection environment, with no restrictions on freedom of movement, access to social services (including health and education) and to the judicial system, as well as access to the labor market.
As early as 2017, the Republic of Congo committed to local solutions for socio-economic integration in its Lettre de Politique de Développement related to support for refugees and their host communities. This has notably enabled initiatives promoting socio-economic inclusion such as the Lisungi social safety net project, funded by the World Bank, which was extended to the Likouala Department in 2021.
In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, diversified partnerships and collaboration have been developed since 2021 in the Republic of Congo to strengthen empowerment through increased access to basic services, national protection systems and economic opportunities. This whole of society approach illustrates the paradigm shift from a humanitarian response model to a refugee response model focused on inclusion and development, benefiting refugee hosting areas, and thus local populations and promoting living together. Concrete examples of the impact of UNHCR’s facilitator role in mobilizing diverse actors for the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and the populations hosting them are detailed below. This multisectoral area-based approach contributes to local development and social cohesion through the active participation of communities and diverse actors.
Between 2021 and 2023, $24 million has benefited refugees, asylum seekers and their host community through UNHCR’s institutional and technical collaboration and advocacy with development actors, line ministries, private sector and civil society.
This has resulted in increased access to basic services (education, health, housing, social protection) and economic opportunities in remote localities, ensuring the preservation of fundamental rights and leaving no one behind. This has also made it possible to develop environmental protection activities and has contributed to the promotion and maintenance of social cohesion.
(1) In this document, the term “refugees” is used in its broadest sense, including asylum seekers and all persons under UNHCR mandate.