Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons convenes at the African Union Commission, Headquarters
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PRESS RELEASE Nº342/2015

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 16thNovember, 2015: The first Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Migration, Refugees and internally Displaced Persons commenced on the 16thNovember 2015 at the African Union Commission (AUC) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The overall objective of the first session of the STC on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons is to consider and adopt its Rules of Procedure, consider and adopt Common African Position on Humanitarian effectiveness to submitted to the World Humanitarian Summit, due to hold in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2016 and the African Humanitarian Policy Framework and the Disaster Management Guidelines. The meeting is convened under the theme: Towards Humanitarian Effectiveness in Africa, in light of a rapidly changing humanitarian landscape, to comprehensively respond to humanitarian crises. In addition, the second theme: World Humanitarian Summit: One Africa, One Voice, One Message guided the formulation of the Common African Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness to be submitted to the world Summit. This theme is on the basis of the Constitutive act in its objectives, Article (3) (d) “aims to promote and defend common Africa position on issues of interest to the continent and its people.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, the Commissioner for Political Affairs (AUC), underscored the need for Member States to focus their deliberations around the development of an appropriate policy framework fit for the current humanitarian problems and future challenges. In addition, the Commissioner reiterated the urgent response and mitigation to crises remains with worrying consequence for the continent. The resulting humanitarian phenomenon of forced displacement as a consequence of both conflict and natural as well as human induced disasters continue to be further deepened by the lack of capacity at all levels on the continent.

Description: Description: C:\Users\SuleH\Desktop\IMG_0087.JPGH.E. Ambassador Lamine Baali. Y. Chairperson of PRC Sub-Committee on refugees, returnees and displaced persons (AUC), highlighted the fact that the meeting is strategically held within the period where the continent is facing severe climatic variations that disrupt peace and stability, causing fatalities, disrupting livelihoods and promoting massive displacement of people amongst other consequences. The Ambassador, noted despite great improvements in some countries, humanitarian emergencies are becoming more complex, calling for humanitarian preparedness and response mechanisms of Member States in general.

From 16 to 20 November the STC will examine the common African position on Humanitarian effectiveness pertaining to Migration, Refugees and internally displaced persons in Africa accordingly the outcome of the meeting will be submitted to the 26th Ordinary Session of the Union to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2016

HBS/AMT

For further information contact:

Mr. Wafula Renny Mike Tel: +251-938-48-4669, E-mail: Wafula.rm@gmail.com Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Political Affairs | African Union Commission

Mrs Afrah Thabit Tel: +251 912615121, E-mail:thabitma@africa-union.org Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission

Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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