Unhcr Hmun 2022

Harvard Model United
Nations 2022
A Background Guide for

United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter from the Secretary-General................................................................................ 3

Letter from the Under-Secretary-General.................................................................... 4
Letter from the Director.............................................................................................. 5
Introduction................................................................................................................ 6
History of the Committee........................................................................................... 6
Statement of the Problem.............................................................................................6

Who Bears the Burden?............................................................................................... 8
Infrastrtucture............................................................................................................10
Examining Resolutions..............................................................................................20
Questions a Resolution Must Answer........................................................................ 23
Suggestions for Further Research............................................................................... 23
Position Paper Requirements..................................................................................... 23

Closing Remarks....................................................................................................... 24
Endnotes....................................................................................................................25
HARVARD MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2022
A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
Dear Delegates,
Bryce G. Kim Welcome to your first step of preparation for Harvard Model United Nations 2022! The
Secretary-General background guide you are about to read is the product of months of research and writing.
Your director began this process last February and has been looking forward to seeing this
Jenna M. Freidus topic debated ever since. In addition to the background guide, you will find sections at the
Director-General
end of this document directing you to other resources you may find helpful for further
Joseph P. Wornom research. Background guides give you an introduction to your topic and serve as the best
Under-Secretary-General resource for gaining general knowledge of a committee topic, but delegates will be expected
Administration to individually conduct further research on their country, their country’s position, and
potential solutions to the problems posed by the committee topic.
Nino Baghashvili
Under-Secretary-General
Business
As the culmination of your research, you are asked to compose a position paper for your
country. These position papers will then be shared with your director for review. Instructions
Davi S. Girão for writing position papers will also be found in this guide. I hope delegates will enjoy using
Under-Secretary-General the position papers as a chance to share their perspectives, reflect, and otherwise enhance
Comptroller their committee experience leading up to the conference.
Lena Lofgren I could not be more excited to welcome you all to Boston this January. Every year, delegates
Operaions
arrive at HMUN in the midst of your already hectic lives as students and individuals. I know
delegates make sacrifices to fully participate in HMUN, often placing important assignments,
Alexander E. Chan social engagements, family commitments, and much more on hold for four days. This year,
Under-Secretary-General I want you to know I am especially attentive to these sacrifices. Every one of us has been
General Assembly affected in some way by COVID-19, whether we have lost loved ones, experienced financial
hardships, or seen our academic lives transformed. Every staff member at HMUN, myself
Nithyani K.
included, shares these experiences with you and is committed to supporting you through
Anandakugan
Under-Secretary-General the challenge of working as a Model United Nations delegate during this unprecedented
Economic and Social time in world history. For me, this means being even more understanding than in previous
Council iterations of conference when delegates require accommodations, ranging from financial aid
to extensions on position paper deadlines. It also means making myself available to you for
Alyvia R. Bruce any and all concerns. As your Secretary-General, I am here as a resource for you should you
Regional Bodies have any questions. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected]. .
Ruhi Nayak
Sincerely,
Bryce Kim
Specialized Agencies
Bryce Kim
Secretary-General
Harvard Model United Nations 2022
59 Shepard Street, Box 205
Cambridge, MA 02138
Voice: 617-398-0772
Fax: 617-496-4472
Email: [email protected]
www.harvardmun.org
A LETTER FROM THE UNDER-SECRETARY GENERAL
Dear Delegates,
Bryce G. Kim Welcome to the Economic and Social Council at Harvard Model United Nations 2022!
Secretary-General Thank you for choosing to attend HMUN — I am very much looking forward to hearing you
discuss and debate topics of international importance throughout the weekend in January.
Jenna M. Freidus
Director-General The Economic and Social Council prides itself on inviting delegates to debate issues of global
concern. You as delegates have such tremendous potential to spark change and create impact,
Joseph P. Wornom whether it be through learning about new issues, meeting fellow delegates from around the
Administration
world, or engaging with your committees to create feasible yet innovative solutions.
Nino Baghashvili I would be remiss not to acknowledge the unique circumstances in which we find ourselves
Under-Secretary-General entering this year’s iteration of HMUN. Nearly two years into a global pandemic, previously-
Business overlooked social and economic issues have become increasingly visible. Global leaders must
now face these issues thoughtfully and courageously, considering the broader consequences of
Davi S. Girão each of their policies. Certainly, the topics that we will be discussing in this year’s Economic
Comptroller and Social Council will challenge you to confront these challenges head-on. I encourage you
to lean on your Directors, Moderators and Assistant Directors as support in your efforts to
Lena Lofgren come up with solutions to these issues. They care deeply about the topics you will be debating
Under-Secretary-General and would love to engage with you as collaborators and partners.
Operaions
My own passion for the Economic and Social Council came from staffing ECOSOC at
Alexander E. Chan HMUN over the past two years. (My high school didn’t have a model UN program.) I
General Assembly learned a great deal just from listening to delegate speeches. More importantly, I had fun!
What struck me most about the ECOSOC experience is the diversity of the delegates.
Nithyani K. Competitors at HMUN come from all over the world and bring to committee a variety of
Anandakugan perspectives. I was inspired by the creativity and passion with which students approached
Under-Secretary-General the committee topics, and I truly believe in ECOSOC’s uniquely educational approach to
Economic and Social
Council conference. I hope you will take advantage of this weekend: take risks, immerse yourself in
meaningful debate, and develop friendships with the peers you encounter.
Alyvia R. Bruce
Under-Secretary-General I look forward to seeing you all in January!
Regional Bodies
Sincerely,
Nithyani Anandakugan
Ruhi Nayak
Specialized Agencies
Nithyani Anandakugan
Under-Secretary-General for the Economic and Social Council
Harvard Model United Nations 2022
Cambridge, MA 02138
Voice: 617-398-0772
Fax: 617-496-4472
www.harvardmun.org
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear Delegates,
Bryce G. Kim Welcome to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)! My name
Secretary-General is Alex Elamine and I am fortunate, as well as beyond excited, to be your director for our
committee in HMUN 2022. I look forward to meeting you all and forging memorable
Jenna M. Freidus experiences while learning about you and your ideas.
Director-General
I am part of class of 2024 at Harvard and am currently a rising sophomore in Quincy House
Joseph P. Wornom
(our mascot is a penguin). I am planning on concentrating in Bioengineering and I have yet
Administration to decide on a secondary, I am interested in too many fields! Outside of the classroom, I am
involved mostly in political, volunteering, and some laboratory groups. I enjoy swimming,
Nino Baghashvili tennis, weight lifting, Netflix, and just hanging out with friends. I have lived in Dearborn,
Business
Michigan for most of my life and hold Dearborn dear to my heart (no pun intended).
Coming from the largest population of Arab Americans in the States and a large community
Davi S. Girão of immigrants and some refugees, I have had stakes and experiences in refugee crises issues
Under-Secretary-General and discussion. Although I was not involved with Model United Nations in High school, I
Comptroller was very interested in working with other youth, hearing ideas, and sharing experiences as
assistant director of UNHCR in HMUN 2021. My experience as assistant director, although
Lena Lofgren
a weary one from many hours worth of virtual conferences, was an amazing experience
Operaions because of what I learned and the people I met. In the coming year I will be a director of
Operations in HNMUN and, of course, your director of UNHCR HMUN.
Alexander E. Chan
Under-Secretary-General I am highly anticipating working with you all as a committee to improve ourselves as
General Assembly speakers, advocates, educated students, and for some of you as future policy makers. With
the international discourse stemming from conflicts and the pandemic, it is as important as
Nithyani K.
ever to understand the fundamentals and intricacies of the refugee crises. Together I hope
Anandakugan
Under-Secretary-General to explore what causes these crises, to what degree other countries and non-state entities
Economic and Social are responsible (as perpetrators or as aid), where refugees have been fleeing to, whether
Council surrounding or hotspot countries have the infrastructure to support refugees, and potential
resolutions.
Alyvia R. Bruce
Regional Bodies
Once again, I welcome you to the UNHCR committee and wish you the best in your research
and safety during this pandemic. If you have any questions or concerns I will be happy to get
Ruhi Nayak back to you from the committee email.
Specialized Agencies Sincerely,
Alex Elamine
Alex Elamine
Cambridge, MA 02138 Director for the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees
Voice: 617-398-0772 Harvard Model United Nations 2022
Fax: 617-496-4472
www.harvardmun.org
6 Background Guide: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
INTRODUCTION In the UNHCR committee at HMUN 2022,

delegates will become familiar with several of the
When she was just a toddler, Um Ahmad’s family refugee crises unfolding in the Middle East/Central
fled their home in Palestine to escape the violence of Asia. Through these examples, they will work to
the 1948 Arab-Israeli Wars.1 Ahmad’s family settled in understand the histories and structures that have
a refugee camp in Damascus, Syria called Yarmouk.2 contributed to the overarching refugee crises in the
The camp sheltered many Palestinian families until regions. Delegates will also learn about the economic,
conflicts began to unfold in Syria—first because of legal, and social infrastructures necessary to support
rebellion against the Syrian government and later refugees in destination countries. Using this knowledge,
because of the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the delegates will then collaborate to draft legislation that
Levant (ISIL).3 As this turmoil developed, Um Ahmad, addresses the root causes of the Middle Eastern refugee
her family, and many other refugees at Yarmouk were crisis and strengthens the infrastructure necessary to
forced to flee again.4 support refugees.
Ahmad’s story reflects the compounding refugee By participating in UNHCR at HMUN
crisis in the Middle East. In fact, in a report on the 2022, delegates will hopefully gain a more nuanced
Refugee Crises in the Arab World, the Carnegie understanding of the refugee experience and the
Endowment for International Peace reveals that forty refugee crisis at large. They will also come to understand
percent of international refugees are fleeing conflict in the role that international organizations and global
the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Palestine.5 powers ought to play in resolving the Middle Eastern
This jarring statistic confirms the sheer magnitude (and other regional) refugee crises.
of the Middle Eastern refugee crisis, but it also raises
questions about the structures and histories that led to HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE
such an extreme refugee situation.
Understanding the roots of the Middle Eastern The United Nations High Commissioner for
refugee crisis matters because it sheds light on the Refugees (UNHCR) was founded in 1950 in response
colonial and imperial histories that led to the unrest to the refugee crisis in Europe created by World War
in the region. Only after gaining a more thorough II and the Holocaust. Following the years since 1950,
comprehension of these histories can we work to the UNHCR has addressed worldwide refugee crises,
demand accountability from the global powers such as those in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
responsible for the Middle Eastern refugee situation. Indeed, the organization has expanded its focus to
Studying and debating the refugee situation in the assist “internally displaced” people as well as “stateless”
Middle East can also lead to interesting insights people. It has earned Nobel Peace Prizes for its valuable
about the sort of infrastructural elements necessary work.
to support refugees. These insights may be valuable The UNHCR receives joint oversight from the
in brainstorming solutions not only to the Middle United Nations General Assembly and Economic and
Eastern refugee crisis but also to those unfolding Social Council. Broadly, it is responsible for protecting
across the globe. refugees (both financially and otherwise), as well as
This committee topic is especially important to helping them resettle. The UNHCR may enlist the
consider amidst current world events. As the world assistance of both public and private entities, and it
gradually recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the often calls on United Nations Specialized Agencies to
Taliban resurfaces in Afghanistan, wildfires rage in advance its work.
several countries across the world, and the Yemeni To learn more about the UNHCR, its history, and
population continues to starve. The economic and its mandate, please visit the following website: https://
public health emergencies that arose because of the www.unhcr.org/en-us/about-us.html.
coronavirus exacerbated the already-dire situations
that many refugees face.6 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Reports from the UNHCR indicate that
Covid-19 restrictions have left many refugees lacking Instability in many Middle Eastern and Central
basic resources that they require for survival. Several
7 Asian countries has led to millions of refugees fleeing
refugee households are also accumulating debt without the region to seek aid throughout the European Union,
means to pay rent. Thus, brainstorming solutions to other Middle Eastern countries, and the United
the Middle Eastern crisis to help vulnerable refugees States. The countries most central to this refugee crisis
has become even more urgent. are Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and the
Harvard Model United Nations 2022 7
Afghan people flee to airports during the Taliban takeover, https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/taliban-retakes-afghanistan-

kabul-saigon-photo-comparisons-spotlight-missed-lessons-ncna1276978.
Palestinian people. Each country faces a unique crisis In Lebanon and Yemen, people face economic crises
which has ultimately led to the same issue: countless and shortages of many essential resources: food, water,
displaced people desperately seeking safety and new gasoline, and labor are all found in scarcity.9 Yemen
lives. has, for a long time, faced a declining economy and
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban retook Kabul, failing infrastructure. Weak infrastructure in electricity,
the capital of Afghanistan, and raised their flag in the transport, and hospital systems already created many
Presidential Palace. Fearing for their rights, for their hardships.10 The country of Yemen has also been the
lives, and for their families; Afghan citizens fled to the target of policies and attacks by Saudi Arabia and its
airports in masses and in desperation, trying anything coalition, as well as groups leading internal struggles,
to escape the Taliban’s terror.8 which has led to an induced famine of the population.11
Many deaths occurred as Afghan people clung Countless humanitarian aid projects have ensued to
to aircraft after an attack on Kabul airport took aid the many starving people, but alone they cannot
place. The Taliban, having previously been in power, resolve this multifaceted situation. Attacks on farms,
imposed many violations on human rights and cruelly roads, and general infrastructure are used as a means
ruled; their past and somewhat recent history in the in the on-going political crisis there and this makes
country is what struck fear in the hearts of many the food shortage more severe. Blockades have even
Afghan people. This all unfolded almost immediately prevented humanitarian resources from reaching the
after the withdrawal of American troops. The starving populations in Yemen, when about two-
Taliban—after twenty years of United States military thirds of the population relies on humanitarian aid.12
action—resurfaced and had reclaimed the country. To Political turmoil has worsened the situation as differing
understand the situation in Afghanistan and provide religious and political factions fight for control of the
humanitarian aid, we need to understand a brief country.
history of how the Taliban rose to power and where Lebanon has for years faced a weak infrastructure
people sought refuge. in government and resources, namely electricity.
Recently the country has faced shortages in gasoline,
diesel, and other fuels. This has led to even more The strife in the Middle East may have multifaceted
power shortages which affect hospitals, schools, (perhaps even ambiguous) origins, but its effects are
and residential homes. The country is also host to quite clear. These conflicts have created a large-scale
about 1.5 million Syrian refugees, and hundreds issue of displacement. Many people living in areas of
of thousands Palestinian refugees.13 Considering all conflict in the Middle East have been forced to leave
the infrastructural challenges, Lebanon struggles as their homes for the sake of their safety and livelihoods.
a host country to these refugees. Many of them rely The question arises, then, of who holds the
on international aid, notably from the International responsibility to develop solutions to the refugee
Rescue Committee (IRC). They live mainly in small, issue and to protect refugees. Should the onus lie on
cramped apartments, unfinished housing, tents, and the surrounding countries, especially those with the
other improvised means as there are not any true infrastructure to do so? In some instances, such as
refugee camps to support these populations.14 that of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon,
Within the country itself, Syrian refugees the host country (Lebanon) lacks the infrastructure
and others face greater discrimination, and this is to support the influx of refugee populations. Indeed,
especially true for the women. Corruption within the Lebanon itself has produced many refugees of its own:
government worsens these conditions, as there are refugees have fled the country for reasons of poverty,
no structures or committees made to address societal food scarcity, joblessness, etc. Thus, the narrative of
issues. Recently, people have demanded greater the “refugee crisis” in the Middle East becomes rather
accountability from government officials, but this tangled and messy.
goal has been hard to attain when facing all the issues In light of these complex, overlapping webs in the
contemporaneously occurring. Middle Eastern refugee crisis, perhaps countries with
The Beirut explosion has been especially detrimental more political power to influence policy on the global
to the recovery of Lebanon. The country’s capital was stage should be responsible for mitigating the refugee
devastated economically and in morale. Hundreds of crisis? Or the wealthiest countries with the most
lives were lost, and thousands of homes, businesses, resources to address shortcomings in infrastructure?
and other buildings were devastated. This crisis deeply To better understand the broader issue, each
exacerbated existing conditions and especially affected country’s crisis must be examined closely in its own
already existing refugees; they could not receive the light and history. Consider the following case studies.
infrastructure to support them as the city struggled to
recover from the explosion. This event highlights the Case Study - Afghanistan
political failure and weak regulations which allowed Prior to the 1980’s, Afghanistan was struggling to
this event to happen. Lebanon’s situation is especially gain a footing as an economically and politically stable
delicate since a failure of the country means not only country. A feudal system was in place throughout the
an influx of Lebanese refugees to other surrounding country, and local power struggles were a common
areas, but the millions of others who sought refuge in occurrence. Afghanistan sought a unified government,
Lebanon would again need to find new homes.15 This but the one that formed from the urban classes could
prompts a question of where would the destination neither represent nor connect with the poorer rural
of these displaced people be? Do those countries have populations that made up about eighty-five percent of
the infrastructure to support such an influx? This is a the country.16
question that the delegates will examine as well. Intertwined with these struggles were conflicts in
beliefs and values between more secular and religious
SUBSECTION A - WHO BEARS populations: while some sought a society revolving
THE BURDEN? around a strict interpretation of Islam, others enjoyed
the secular aspects of their country. Moreover, there
The history of the Middle East appears rich existed a long history of conflict between the minority
with strife and conflict—take, for instance, the war Hazara ethnic group and the majority Pashtun group.17
in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, rebellions against This accumulating internal strife made the
regimes in Syria in recent decades. Scholars, pundits, country susceptible to Soviet invasion in the 1980s.
and politicians have debated the causes of these After many power conflicts and coup d’états, the
conflicts for decades. Indeed, the roots of these issues Communist Party of Afghanistan overthrew the
are complex and difficult to pin down. autocrat Mohammed Daoud Khan. This formed the
first waves of what eventually became huge tides of
refugees seeking safety from political conflict. Within Case Study - Israel / Palestine
a year of the invasion, about one million Afghan Conflict
refugees had fled to Pakistan, creating another realm
of complexity to the situation.18 The history of the conflict between Israel and
The Communist Party’s internal relations Palestine is deep and complex. It involves matters
eventually broke down, and the interference of Russia of imperialism, culture, and disputed claims. Most
received much condemnation from other Communist literature on the history of this conflict begins with
Parties, such as Italy’s. As events progressed, the end of the Ottoman empire. European powers
governments like those of Pakistan, the United States, after World War I instated a mandate system where
Italy, and several others backed the Islamist figures each country would oversee a territory previously
who had opposed Communism. Even so, polling ruled by the Ottoman empire. The British had
in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan indicated that assumed a mandate over the land inhabited by
Afghan refugees preferred the old members of the majority Palestinians at the time. They had made
monarchy over any other ruler.19 conflicting promises to different leaders regarding
The people of Afghanistan who would end up the land. Along the way, the movement arose to
displaced and seeking refuge from violence only create a home for Jewish people seeking safety from
increased from this point. With groups such as the persecution. The British designated the land inhabited
Mujahideen, who held Islamic extremist ideals, backed by the Palestinians at the time to Zionist leaders to
by governments like the United States; the conditions create the future Zionist state. Conflicts between
in Afghanistan became precarious. After the collapse those already inhabiting the land and those looking
of the USSR, several of the standing alliances among to settle escalated. In 1947, Britain handed over their
political players in Afghanistan crumbled. Groups oversight of the conflict to the United Nations.20
in power began to turn on one another and soon on In 1948, Jewish leaders declared the state of Israel,
the groups that had backed them, such as the United which was soon recognized by the United States
States. government. The UN attempted to partition the land,
By this point, the United Nations and the UNHCR the division was messy. Palestinian regions became
committee had played pivotal roles in fostering encompassed in Jewish territories and vice versa. This
multinational communications and facilitating aid plan had failed and by the end of 1949, Palestinians
to refugee camps in Pakistan. In 1994, As United had lost 78% of the land that was allotted to them
Nations and United States aid and interest diminished, and 700,000 had been displaced. This time is known
the Taliban—known as “students of Islam”—began to the Palestinians as “al-Nakba” (the catastrophe) and
to gain popularity and power as they offered a false to Israel was known as “The War of Independence.”21
glimmer of hope against the warlords and violence Many violent conflicts and uprisings
which plagued the country. This eventually led to the immeasurably escalated tensions on all sides. Israeli
U.S. war in Afghanistan which lasted twenty years settlements continued to be established, and many
and—as demonstrated by recent events—amounted displaced Palestinians left their home to surrounding
mostly to loss of life. or western countries—most unable to return. One of
As discussed in a previous section, the Taliban the countries which many Palestinian refugees have
resurfaced almost immediately after the U.S. withdrew fled to is Lebanon, with nearly half a million registered
troops. Along with the half million Afghan refugees with the UN. The Palestine example offers yet another
projected to have fled by the end of 2021, there are example of how broader histories about imperialism
an approximated six million displaced Afghan people. have produced refugee crises in the Middle East.
The majority are internally displaced, but about two
million have taken refuge in Pakistan and Iran. More Case Study- Syria
recently, many have sought refuge in the United States Before 2011, about twenty-two million people
and United Kingdom. This complex web of histories called Syria their home. With the onset of a civil war,
certainly explains the origins of Afghanistan’s refugee about six million refugees have been displaced. In 2011,
crisis; they also offer insight into the broader and more the government in place began cracking down on
systemic issues (like neo-imperialism, for instance) protests and violently responding to demonstrations.22
that have produced refugee crises throughout the After escalations in the conflict, the civil war erupted,
Middle East. causing a major humanitarian crisis. Violence in areas
such as Aleppo and Idlib has displaced countless people.
Military action from countries such as Turkey increases by side comparison of host countries that surround
the chance that Syrian people looking to escape find refugees and of the United States and European
themselves in danger. The majority of Syrian refugees countries. Although we will discuss the actions taken
have fled to surrounding countries. Over three million by several countries in the European Union, there will
Syrians are now living in Turkey, and many also now be a specific focus on Germany. Germany is one of the
reside in Lebanon. These countries have complex largest hosts of Syrian refugees, and the largest host of
infrastructures, which create unlivable conditions for Afghan refugees after Pakistan and Iran.
some refugees. The situation is especially precarious in
Lebanon. Lebanon itself is facing an economic crisis, Financial Supports:
a food crisis, and a fuel crisis (among many others). This section will concern the ability of host
Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon are at risk of countries to ensure the financial well-being of
being displaced again as they seek safety from the lack refugees. The host country’s ability can be determined
of resources there.23 by current unemployment rates, current job market
With the advent of modern communications and availability and growth, barriers to entry of workforce,
humanitarian efforts, many refugees are receiving help and overall economic progress of a country. Financial
they otherwise would not survive without. But there Support also encompasses any programs or funds a
are still many stipulations which prevent humanitarian country allocates toward refugee support.
aid from reaching countless more who need it. In the There is a plethora of literature on social policy
subsequent sections, we will explore the infrastructure and the effects of an influx of refugees into host
in regional host countries and western countries, countries. But upon narrowing our scope, we find
determine what aid refugees still need, and investigate limited literature available which brings to light
how to make this aid accessible. the economic impact in various sectors of the host
country when there is an influx of refugees. It is widely
Key Questions debated whether an influx of cheap labor and low-skill
In the two case studies above, which countries job workers is a benefit to a country or not. Evidence
have played the largest role in creating the conditions suggests that it depends on the market being analyzed.
that have led to a refugee crisis? Take Pakistan for example. Pakistan as a developing
What are some solutions that may help alleviate country is struggling with slow economic growth,
the refugee crises in the two case studies above? substantial debt, and increasing population needs.
Which countries are most equipped to implement However, the country is one of the leading countries
these solutions? Historically, are these the countries to host refugees having taken in an estimated 3
that have intervened? Are they morally obliged to million Afghan refugees since the onset of the Soviet
intervene? invasion.24 This astounding number is shocking
given that Pakistan does not even have a framework
SUBSECTION B - for registering refugees. Rather, the United Nations
High Council for Refugees handles the registration of
INFR ASTRUCTURE refugees as per an agreement with Pakistan (we will
In this subsection, we will be examining the explore this further in a later section).
aspects which impact a refugee the most in their There are widely debated beliefs that an influx of
journey to a new life. These aspects are determined refugees as low-skill refugees displaced local workers
by the host country’s infrastructure--their capability and upset the economy, but some studies that looked
and willingness to take in refugees. This will help at different sectors arbitrate these points. Local farmers
us determine what life is like for refugees in the of the rural areas, which many refugees have moved to,
host country and where legislation can play a role highly benefit from an influx of low wage workers.25
in changing circumstances. We will also discuss the The demand and sales of agricultural products
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refugees and increased as well. However, previously existing low-
their host country. By looking at these aspects we can skill workers, in an already large population of about
also determine what it is that makes a country successful 200 million, feel that they have too much competition
in hosting refugees, what is being implemented, and when refugees are willing to be paid low wages. The
what can be improved. Through this lens we can benefit of a greater refugee labor force is maximized
better evaluate why certain countries are identified as when a country has a demand similar to the influx of
destination points for refugees. We will have a side refugees, as in the case of Austria and New Zealand
(according to the same study). The study attributes struggles they face, some Lebanese still felt that they
a balanced supply and demand of labor to a highly are being displaced from their jobs by Syrian workers.
regulated influx of refugees. A regulated influx of This attitude makes it ever more difficult to ensure
refugees is very difficult in the case of Pakistan. The financial independence for refugees. This attitude was
shared border with Afghanistan spans a considerable perpetrated by political parties in power during the
distance and is traversable by foot or caravan. In economic decline. Although Lebanon was in a long
recent years, Pakistan has built fencing on the border time economic crisis, the political factions used Syrian
and increased military patrol. Previously, the highly immigrants as a scapegoat.31 The situation of Syrian
unregulated inflow of refugees led to a drastic increase refugees demonstrates that legal, social, and labor
in the labor market push for low wage and low skill protections are all tightly interwoven. How does this
jobs in Pakistan. Current literature seems to agree that compare to developed countries policies and ability to
this hurts an already struggling Pakistan, but other provide financial support to refugees?
literature suggest that there is not enough evidence The European Union as a whole has taken steps to
to conclude what the impact of the refugees is on provide solutions to the refugee crises. On August 24,
Pakistan’s economy and in turn its ability to support 2021 the G7 committee held a conference to address
refugees;26 Pakistan therefore struggles to provide the recent crisis in Afghanistan. In the conference
a stable economy and solid job market and this is (composed of seven countries with advanced
exacerbated by their lack of policy to address such economies) they declared their solidarity with Afghan
issues. Does this situation hold true for educated refugees and their commitment to solving the issue
refugees as well? One study of a sample size of one- regionally.32 By the nature of the G7 conference and
hundred-fifty-seven Afghan refugees showed that fifty the participating countries, we can determine that
percent had some form of higher education. But even these countries are in a better position economically
those with some form of training or education felt that and demonstrate a level of commitment to share the
their skills depreciated as the job market changed and burden of a large influx of population, or otherwise
grew in Pakistan.27 providing relief to regional host countries. Part of the
Lebanon’s economy has faced a drastic decline pledged financial support initiatives include promises
in the past years. Remnants from civil wars and to aid refugees in host countries and direct payment
invasions, the country has long been struggling with benefits to refugees.33 During the conference, President
poor infrastructure in every sector of life, but the of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen
situation has degraded to a breaking point recently. announced that the goal is to donate fifty one million
The Lebanese currency has lost ninety percent of its Euros by the end of 2021, while also noting that this
value since the year 2000 and the inflation rate in number should increase.34 The general earmark is one
2020 was about eighty-five percent;28 this--along billion Euros within a seven year period. The President
with the massive explosion in a Beirut port and of the commission stated that their economic support
COVID-19-- has magnified the crises the country
already suffers. The people in the country often
endure hours long power cuts because electrical
infrastructure is so weak. A patchwork system of
privately owned generators and grids was created, but
with the economic crisis it has become too expensive
to maintain for all but the wealthy individuals. Fuel
is in short supply and food prices have quadrupled.29
Because refugees are not offered job security in
countries such as Lebanon, the shortage of fuel and
food impacts them arguably the greatest. Mustafa
Nabo is a Syrian tailor who operates an electric sewing
machine. His livelihood is completely shut down
along with the electricity, and with no generator and
the restrictions on work for non-Lebanese in place,
there is very limited opportunity to earn money.30 This
experience is commonplace for refugees in Lebanon.
About twenty percent of Syrian refugees are working
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,
age men; despite this low number and the shared delivers a speech, https://www.politico.eu/article/draft-state-
of-the-union-eu-ursula-von-der-leyen/.
is contingent on recipient governments abiding by the makes it difficult for refugees to even be recognized as
strict clauses which protect human and social rights. 35 such, let alone enjoy rights as a citizen of the country.
When there is a sudden influx of refugees, a We will be looking at both Pakistan and Lebanon
common worry is whether this influx will result in an where refugees have had to go through arduous
economic downturn and whether the cost will be too and discriminatory processes to receive any form of
great to bear. According to a study published in 2018, documentation. Both Lebanon and Afghanistan are
the influx of refugees has an overall positive effect on non-signatories to the 1951 Convention relating to
the economy of the host country.36 They concluded the Status of Refugees and its 1967 protocols.43 This
that this effect reflects the largest growth in the long- convention defined what refugee status is and gave a
term, or about two to seven years. The study focused framework for the basic legal protections and rights
on fifteen Western European countries, including of refugees. Who is considered a refugee was given
Germany, with available migration and economic data a fairly loose definition as anybody that faces unsafe
ranging from 1985 to 2015. The majority of these conditions in their place of origin. The non-signatory
countries have the infrastructure to process refugees status may explain in part why there are many
and grant them refugee status, which often includes discriminatory practices when it comes to allowing
labor rights and permanent residence.37 Because of refugees access to the formal labor market.
their integration into the labor market and legal system, The basic right of a human being includes equality,
the country sees an increase in tax revenue, which the freedom of speech, life and liberty, freedom from
study concludes outweighs the “refugee burden” and slavery, freedom of expression, work, and education.
associated costs. 38 The study shows that with the The process to become a citizen of any country is
integration of refugees into a developed economy, strenuous but the reward is always worth it when it
with supporting infrastructure, the economy will comes to having a life worth living. Human rights in
improve with increased GDP, market cap increase, and Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine are limited and declining.
decreased unemployment rates. 39 Germany received When looking into the current states of the countries,
the highest amount of refugee applications and spends it is evident that citizens are drastically better off than
a great amount yearly on refugee integration. For the non- citizens.
last several years, Germany has spent billions of dollars Since its independence from France in 1943,
yearly on refugee integration programs and in 2019 Lebanon has governed with a sectarian power-sharing
spent a record twenty three billion euros.40 In 2020, government and is home to Maronite Christians, Sunni
about ten billion euros were dedicated to fighting and Shia Muslims, along with 18 other sects. As well as
for refugees fleeing from their country.41 Despite being a form of consociationalism, the highest officials
massive spending on refugee integration, the German in office are in charge of representing certain religious
Institute for Economic Research is expecting in the groups.44 The constitution itself states all people
coming years that the return will be greater than are guaranteed representation in their government,
the spending.42 With refugee integration into the military, and civil services. The basic rights of the
labor market and greater revenue and filled markets Lebanese people include freedom of assembly and
in Germany, Germany is on track to take on the expression, health, work, and education.45 Although
herculean task of welcoming an influx of refugees. all humans are said to be treated equally, when it comes
to women and children unfortunately those rules do
Legal Infrastructure: not seem to apply to them fully. Women and children
This section will examine what steps countries still face discrimination under these laws. Unlike
have taken to ensure the protection of refugees, if any men, Lebanese women cannot pass their citizenship
at all, and where the legal protections are deficient. onto their children since men 46are looked upon with
This includes legal status, social protections, essential a higher degree of importance. The lack of equality
human rights, housing and work regulations, etc. between genders is only the beginning of the injustice
Examining the legal infrastructure may be one of the people of Lebanon face. In November 2019,
the most important ways of understanding what can thousands of citizens instigated a protest in hopes to
improve the refugee crisis in the Middle East. make changes toward the new apparent tax measures
In a majority of developing countries which are that were set into place.47 The reason was to counter
host to refugees, there is often a lack of framework for the unfair legislation enforced by the government’s
legal status and protection of refugees. Where there is a corrupt political leaders, regain social and economic
framework, it is often accompanied by legislation that rights, and lower the percentage unemployment in the
country which had risen to approximately 6.61% of discussing is even less developed or is actively working
the population.48 against them. The main obstacle for trans refugees
While the citizens of Lebanon do face hardships is not only gaining identification, but having that
when it comes to basic human rights and living, the identification reflect their gender identity.55 A second
undocumented refugees from Syria face an even great barrier against transgender individals is the social
greater threat to their lives and humanity. Lebanon and institutional discrimination they face. Because
has approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees and an of these difficulties, transgender individuals have
estimated 70 percent of Syrians lost their legal status.49 been denied housing, work opportunities, and even
This in turn constrained their ability to find work, healthcare treatment.56 They are often required to
obtain health care and education for their children. demonstrate proof of “gender dysmorphia” diagnoses
Under international law, it is illegal to condemn or gender reassignment surgery. This discrimination
refugees and force relocation. Since Lebanon has had is compounded by their status as refugees. There
limited support from surrounding countries, refugees is harassment and monstrous treatment of them at
are left to struggle to make ends meet with little to no military checkpoints and by police, and many of them
support from the government they are now reliant on. do not report these incidents for fear of deportation.57
The State of Palestine as well as the country The rights of LGBT+ refugees is highly deficient in
of Syria endured many hardships in Lebanon as protective legislation and is an important point to
approximately 174,000 Palestinians took refuge after evaluate when creating policies.
being displaced by Israeli settlers.50 They face many In the case of Palestinians, their situation is most
different deprivations including not owning their precarious due to the lack of legal rights. Although the
own property, not having a formal education which right to organize is protected in Lebanon, Palestinians
is required in most fields of work, lacking basic are effectively prohibited from founding organizations
health care, and being forced to settle in run down that protect and serve Palestinian refugees.58 In order
refugee camps. According to Lebanese authorities, the to register an organization with the interior ministry
Palestinians serve as a threat to the sensitive balance of the applicant must be a Lebanese citizen. This puts
religious and ethnic communities in their country.51 a heavy restriction on Palestinians from garnering
The status of their non-citizenship not only affects appropriate support and resources. In the case of labor
their way of life, but whether they are even perceived rights, Palestinians are restricted from working in many
as human beings. They are faced with the poor reality sectors. Their main source of income is remittances
of returning to their home state and possibly being from families not in Lebanon, agriculture (along with
harmed or discrimination in Lebanon. Syrian refugees), illegal work in Lebanese organizations,
These policies and their effects have been greatly and work with Palestnian organizations and the United
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nations.59 There is also a community of businesses
movement of refugees into urban areas and away built within the camps. However, these camps also
from marginalized communities and camps is slowed, have legal restrictions placed on them. Some camps
refugees are delayed or halted from obtaining work in south Lebanon require military approval to enter
permits, and curfews are imposed.52 These are all and this creates an atmosphere of ignorance relative
practices that strip even more of the legal and social to the camp’s conditions.60 Politicians themselves
status of refugees. Even prior to the pandemic, there are not aware of or are enabled in neglecting these
was a relatively common practice of confiscating conditions. This policy regarding camps adds to the
refugees’ identification documents if they could not anti-integration culture against refugees in Lebanon.
pay hospital bills. These sort of practices discourage Especially in the case of Palestinians, many Lebanese--
refugees from seeking medical help, which drives especially Lebanese politicians-- claim that integrating
up infection rates and worsens the conditions and Palestinians places an unfair burden on Lebanon and
restrictions of the pandemic. Some studies have also takes the responsibility away from the United Nations
shown that the imposed quarantines have increased and the international community.61 They also cite the
the reported cases of domestic violence.53 Other right of return initially bestowed to Palestinians in
studies have shown that families below the poverty initial agreements with the United Nations in Israel.
line are more likely to send their children to work as Some believe that by integrating them, it will make
well.54 These studies encourage us to think more about it impossible for future repatriation and take away
a subsection of groups marginalized within an already from the Palestinian cause for return.62 These are a
marginalized group. For transgender indiviudals few examples of the many legal barriers which prevent
in Lebanon, every one of the infrastructures we are
Afghani refugees in Pakistan, https://www.dw.com/en/new-hope-for-millions-of-afghan-refugees-in-pakistan/a-45543477.
Palestinians from getting the aid they need as refugees Pakistan has been generally receptive to the work the
in Lebanon. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees does,
Pakistan was traditionally perceived as a delegates should aim to answer what sort of policies
welcoming host to Afghan refugees for many years can make their work more effective and well received.
despite not having the legal infrastructure to recognize Another important question delegates can address is:
refugees until recently. The Pakistani government did to what extent should the international community
at first create a system and organizations to aid and bear the weight of an influx of refugees in Pakistan
educate Afghan refugees.63 But as governments and and how can they help? Implementing long term and
their views changed (and resources dwindled), borders effective strategies and policies in regional countries
began closing and reception to refugees decreased. may enable governments to narrow their focus on
This was coupled with the fact that Pakistan had no permanent integration or repatriation. In subsection
laws defining a refugee or regulating their entrance C we will examine what sort of policies and actions
into the country, so they were all considered illicit and have already been put into place that deal with legal
temporary inhabitants.64 Recently, Afghan refugees protections of refugees. We will also examine potential
received only proof of registration cards to identify resolutions.
their refugee status with the UNHCR.65 This changed Countries in the European Union and elsewhere
their status in terms of the law to people waiting to be have been more successful in creating a legal
repatriated (integrated back into their own country). framework to document and support refugees. The
However, even for those who are able to obtain majority of countries in the European Union have
registration cards, there are many restrictions. Similar varying statuses for forced migrants. If the person is
to the refugees in Lebanon, Afghan refugees are not not granted permanent stay with refugee status, they
permitted to work with their registration cards. They may still be granted the status of asylum seeker. Even
are limited to day jobs, menial labor, or to businesses if denied asylum seeker status, there are still means to
they do not own themselves.66 With the recent attain asylum for refugees. We will examine Germany’s
United States military withdrawal, there is even less framework and their definition of refugees, asylum
reception from Pakistan to the many who are seeking seekers, and what they call subsidiary protection.
refuge from Taliban rule.67 The United Nations Each of these statuses comes with a set of regulations
High Commissioner for Refugees and other non- and benefits. Most notably, refugees in Germany are
governmental organizations offer vocational training offered unrestricted access to the labor market.68 They
in place of the Pakistani government. Although are granted permanent stay of residence and offered
travel documents. Those who have been granted
asylum seeker status are offered several benefits.69 They counseling and therapy is offered for the trauma
may bring spouses and children along with them; that refugees experience. There is situation-specific
minor children may bring their parents. Refugees counseling offered for asylum seekers if they were
and asylum seekers are entitled to unemployment persecuted or feared persecution in their home country
benefits as well and are offered assistance in seeking for their identity or sexual orientation along with the
work. Germany also offers integration courses and other circumstances they fled. They may be considered
vocational training.70 For forced migrants who were for a three year refugee residency. The trauma these
determined to stay in Germany for an extended period refugees faced from persecution for their identity and
of time, there is language training offered as well. This of another crisis like war often makes it difficult for
aids in receiving vocational training and successfully them to speak about their traumas or provide evidence
integrating into the labor market.71 While refugees are for their identity or sexual orientation. Despite this
undergoing vocational training, Germany has a system difficulty, refugees are encouraged to come out at
in place to offer benefits, some of which do not have the beginning of the asylum seeking process since it
to be paid back.72 Those granted subsidiary protection could play a factor in their determined status. If it is
do not meet the criteria for refugee, but have still revealed later in the process it is likely that it will not
been determined to be in danger should they return add grounds for approval of residency and refugee
to their home country. While not offered as many status. The situation of LGBTQ+ refugees is a delicate
benefits, subsidiary protection does offer the right situation for more reasons than on the surface. Even
to work, vocational and language training, as well as in their safe-housing they may face discrimination.
family reunification among several other rights. Those Overlooking this discriminatoin in Germany may
granted asylum protection receive their residency contribute to an “oversimplified imagination of
for three years, after which the status is reevaluated ‘vulnerable and passive’ LGBT refugees who depend
based on current circumstances of the person’s home on the support of German LGBT organizations being
country.73 If conditions are determined to still be protected from Muslim refugees as ‘hypermasculine
unsafe, then the residency will be renewed for another perpetrators’”.77 Conservative parties in Germany
three years. Subsidiary protection offers one year of use the persecution of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers as a
residency which can be extended for two years. platform against muslim asylum seekers and refugees.
Having examined what Germany’s legal Although Germany has developed an infrastructure to
infrastructure provides forced migrants, we can narrow support the most marginalized groups, there are still
the focus to the current situation of Syrian refugees. social barriers and political agendas which interfere
In the height of Syrian migration to Germany in with the humanitarian aid of marginalized refugees.
2015-16, the majority of applications for refugee
status were approved.74 As several years passed and by Job Resources:
2019, the amount of rejected applications significantly This section will narrow down the conversation on
increased. In 2016, a higher court ruled that Syrians financial supports to focus on the availability of jobs
no longer meet the requirements for a refugee, and are with which refugees may sustain themselves. It will
offered only subsidiary protection with the chance for be important to consider barriers to entry of the job
appeal.75 This significantly increases the disadvantages market, what kind of opportunities are available for
that Syrian refugees face. Many have to wait several refugees, whether high-skill workers are able to find
years before being reunited with family and undergo work within their trade, and if there is skill-training
a more arduous process in renewing their residency, and space for growth for refugees in the job market.
needing to do so yearly rather than every three years. Since we have taken a look at the overall capability
They must also wait at least five years before and need of a developing country to financially support
to prove their ability in speaking German before they refugees, we can now further examine which kinds of
are considered for permanent residence. jobs refugees are able to obtain. As discussed in the
Germany offers better LGBTQ+ protections previous section, a significant number of refugees
for asylum seekers than the regional host countries worked low-skill and low-wage jobs to try and make
we examined. Because there is a lack of research on ends meet. This section will take Lebanon as a case
this demographic, it is estimated that the LGBTQ+ study for the types of jobs that refugees work. We can
population of refugees is similar to that of the general frame the general financial support structure (or lack
population.76 There are resources allocated toward there-of ) in Lebanon to be similar to that of Pakistan’s.
asylum seekers which provide LGBTQ+ specific
housing for refugees and women. Along with that,
In this section we look at which jobs are get is a refugee registered with the UNHCR. This
available to refugees and the potential to move up almost insurmountable barrier to the workforce results
in the labor force. It is important to begin with the in many refugees resorting to menial and privatized
fact that refugees in Lebanon are severely limited labor. House servants, gardeners, and janitors are
by government regulations. Syrian and Palestinian among the occupations that refugees are frequently
refugees have a hard time making ends meet as found in. These jobs are mainly held by refugees who
it is illegal for them to work in as many as 36 job are trying to integrate into urban areas.82 Vocational
fields.78 The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in education for Palestinian refugees is offered mainly by
more difficulties and discriminatory restrictions NGOs and United Nations organizations. Even in the
placed on refugees, particularly Syrian populations. 1990’s they estimated that 40% of working Palestinian
The Lebanese government slowed the processing of refugee women were vocationally trained and that half
work permits and residencies during the pandemic of the working women were skilled workers. Despite
citing public health reasons. Other policies, such as this, women and refugees, and especially refugee
stricter curfews and fines on refugee communities women, are paid less than their Lebanese counterparts
made it even more difficult to access the formal labor with the same skill sets.83 However, there are still
market.79 Refugees then take up informal work which sectors where women find work. Agriculture is one of
increases their chance of exposure to COVID-19 and the largest sectors that refugees work in, and because
the cycle causes continuously worsening conditions. of the increasing need for women to head households,
Syrian refugees can only legally work in agriculture, there has been an increasing amount of women who
construction, and environmental clean-up.80 Syrian find themselves in the agricultural sector. Farmers in
refugees registered with the United Nations High agriculture are not protected under Lebanese labor
Council for Refugees must sign a pledge that they laws which makes the situation even more difficult
will not work outside of what is permitted to them. for non-Lebanese. However, a field study reveals that
With that, only forty-two percent of Syrian refugees some women find themselves enjoying fieldwork as it
were part of the labor force, with the majority being improves safety.84 It offers refugee women a chance to
men.81 The work situation is even more precarious for work in the day time with other refugee women and
Palestinian refugees. Because they have neither foreign connect with the opportunities offered by other farm
nor local documentation that is accepted, they are owners. Finding areas of strength in the system for
placed in a state of limbo where the only status they
Agriculture can provide a positive work experience for refugees, https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2017/10/16/farm-small-think-big-

how-agriculture-can-help-today%E2%80%99s-global-refugee-crisis.
refugees, rare as they may be, could be a good starting limited to unskilled blue collar jobs such as fishing,
point for improved legislation. The same study offers manufacturing, waste management, and agriculture. 89
insights into what sorts of policies would protect Germany and France offer a greater degree of freedom
refugee workers and offer greater opportunities; this to asylum seekers through their application process,
will be explored in subtopic C. but there are still logistical and administrative barriers
Afghan refugees who search for labor face similar faced. In countries such as Ireland and Norway, asylum
conditions to refugees in Lebanon. Because of the seekers are not given access to the labor market as part
barriers placed on what kinds of work they can do, of the application process.90 In Turkey, which hosts
many end up making a living through informal means a large population of Syrian refugees, there is a law
such as trash collection and resale. Even in areas that states no more than ten percent of a staff may be
unrestricted by law, social attitudes create barriers to Syrian, except if positions have been vacant for about a
employment. Educated Afhgans who were able to find month.91 In other countries, there are time restrictions
employment with relief foundations and with United for which refugees cannot participate in the labor
Nations committees took what they learned back to market. After that time has passed they are given access
Afghan non-governmental organizations. This form to work. Although when granted refugee status there
of employment allows for the work of organizations are technically no labor restrictions in most European
to propagate throughout the refugee community. countries, the length of the administrative process
The argument of these organizations is that without often leads to periods of inactivity in employment.
first creating social change and removing the This makes it more difficult for refugees to integrate
institutionalized barriers to the workforce and equal into the labor market and the country. 92
protections, the work that the non-governmental In the case of Afghan refugees from the new
organizations and United Nations organizations do Taliban regime, Germany is hopeful that they will
will not penetrate deeply into the society. Delegates be better geared towards integration and successfully
should consider this when drafting resolutions. finding skilled labor. Germany has focused on rescuing
Continuing on from the last section, we will displaced Afghans who had previously worked in
examine what sorts of jobs are available to refugees public health, policy, science, education, with non-
as well as what sort of training the host countries governmental organizations, with allied troops, and in
offer in the European Union. There will again be a other skilled sectors. The Afghan refugee population is
focus on Germany as a case study. According to this faring slightly better than other large migrant groups;
study published in 2018, across multiple countries the employment rate was forty percent among the
in the European Union refugees faced worse labor Afghan population in Germany as of April 2021.93
market performance and employment rates than
other migrants; migrants in general faced worse labor Housing Infrastructure:
market conditions than nationals of each respective This section will focus on where refugees live in
country as well.85 This is attributed to the language a host country and the conditions they live in. We
barrier refugees experience, worse health conditions will discuss housing availability, pricing, location, and
(which are highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic), livability. There are twelve refugee camps in Lebanon
and the circumstances of forced migration (such as officially recognized by the United Nations. Forty-five
no preparation or choice of host country according to percent of refugees in Lebanon reside in these camps.94
the migrant’s skills and available markets).86 Despite However, in 2015 Lebanon no longer registered Syrian
this, the European countries offer forms of vocational refugees and many have no option but below standard
training and easier access to skilled labor markets housing in urban areas and villages; a significant
than regional host countries do. Before examining amount are housed in tents in informal camps.95 Within
which labor opportunities are offered, it is important each camp and area, there is a community of refugees
to note that refugees in European countries are still established there that tries to build a proper network
fifty percent less likely to be employed in skilled of businesses, housing, and schooling. For example,
labor markets than natives.87 We will briefly examine there is a large concentration of palestinian refugees
the barriers asylum seekers face in accessing the in Ein El Hilweh camp.96 However, these camps
labor market across European countries. In Austria, are characterized by overcrowding (which increases
asylum seekers are “ restricted de facto to working the risk of contracting COVID-19) and need major
in seasonal occupations such as agriculture and financial and social support. Although there are many
tourism”.88 In other countries, the hours per week they who have created lives in these camps and children
can work are limited. In Cyprus, asylum seekers are
who have grown up there, many have attempted longer considered unsafe by the government. There
to move to larger cities like Beirut and many more are an estimated 1 million unregistered refugees living
have resorted to means such as squatting in buildings in urban areas of Pakistan. It is more difficult for
without proper resources. They face a lack of water, these unregistered refugees to find housing since only
plumbing, and an even worse situation with electricity refugees with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards are
than others.97 Lebanon does not offer assistance to eligible to rent houses, attend school, work, and travel.
refugees when it comes to housing. As discussed in Some aid agencies believe that the UNHCR should
previous sections, the legal rights of refugees is limited have had a greater role and worked toward securing
at best and non-existent in some areas. This makes it more rights for refugees through the PoR cards.106
extremely difficult for refugees to find real housing, Although refugees possessing PoR cards are recognized
even though they are required by law to show proof of to some degree, the cards are not real legal documents
housing to gain refugee status.98 It is even more difficult and do not offer any actual legal protections. We will
for refugees who are LGBT+ or women. Some recount consider the actions taken by Pakistan, the UNHCR,
stories of having been denied access to housing by and other countries in subsection C. Delegates can use
landlords, evicted when their identity was discovered, this information to identify which points of housing
or chased out of neighborhoods by people with hostile infrastructure require legislation and begin to think
and unwelcoming views.99 Housing infrastructures are about what form this legislation will take.
further weakened by the economic crisis that Lebanon Delegates should research what sort of housing
is experiencing. There has been a surge of refugees protections and resources are available to refugees in
who are sleeping in the streets along with the poorest the European Union, particularly Germany. We have
of Lebanon.100 The lack of electricity and fuel makes already discussed in some segments that upon entering
even those within homes face hazardous conditions. the country, Germany offers many resources, one of
With COVID-19 worsening the economy, it is ever which is housing. Delegates should aim to research
more difficult for refugees to afford rent.101 Within and critically evaluate this infrastructure. It may help
the camps, there is much needed work to improve to research whether these countries have established
sanitation and accessibility to basic necessities.102 formal refugees camps, or whether refugees integrate
Before the recent resurgence of the Taliban in into urban and rural areas as they do in regional host
Afghanistan, sixty-four percent of refugees lived in countries.
rural areas in Pakistan and thirty-six percent lived in
camps.103 These camps are mainly along the border Educational Resources:
of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The interior minister This section will provide insight into which
of Pakistan stated that they will not allow Afghan resources are available for refugee’s for schooling. It will
refugees into the country, while another minister consider both schools for children and how accessible
said Afghan refugees will temporarily stay in camps higher education is for refugees. For many refugees
along borders. If this is to proceed, they will consider in Lebanon and Pakistan, their education is in the
a system labeled the “Iran Model” where refugee hands of the United Nations High Commissioner for
camps are strictly bound to the border of Pakistan Refugees or other non-governmental organizations.
and Afghanistan, even pushing into Afghanistan.104 The country’s themselves do not currently have the
This may contribute to the marginalization and infrastructure to handle the education of refugees.
vilification of refugees. The Afghan refugees who With dwindling resources available to the United
do try and move out into the communities do so Nations and other organizations, the educational
for many reasons. Some do so for cultural reasons, opportunities available to refugees become ever more
for reasons of privacy and overcrowding, and some difficult to create and pursue. The economic crisis
seek work or better conditions. Some of the refugees in Lebanon further exacerbates the inaccessibility of
who do remain in the camps do so because it is the education to refugees. Many Lebanese have withdrawn
only place they can receive international assistance. from private schools and entered the public school
However, they all face similar challenges. Interviews of system; this saturated the public schooling system and
Afghan refugees both in and out of the camps reveal allowed for less Syrian refugees to benefit from any
that they face difficulties with getting enough money established systems.107
to eventually get stable and safe housing. Refugees Another complex barrier to education is the
outside of the camp often move because of fluctuating compounding effect of the legal challenges previously
rent prices.105 They may also move to be able to get presented. Syrian refugees are by international and
aid from organizations if their place of origin is no
Access to education is a significant determinant of the well-being of refugee children, https://www.weforum.org/

agenda/2016/05/why-refugee-education-is-a-problem-and-six-solutions/.
local law permitted to attend public schools.108 There of education in Lebanon. To enroll, out-of-school
have also been advancements in educational rights such children may be required to pass literacy tests, provide
as public schools not requiring legal documentation of prior documentation of schooling in Syria (which
citizenship which make schooling more accessible.109 many refugees have no access to), and some school
But, with the limbo that most refugees are stuck in (not ministers ask for documentation which refugees
being able to go home and not having legal status in cannot reasonably provide.112 There are programs
their host country) they find it difficult to navigate the funded by international donors which tutor refugee
weak system of schools and educational infrastructure children for the placement and literacy exams,
that have already been established. In a survey done of although the ministry of education has prevented
Palestininian and Syrian refugees in Lebanon, it was the course from taking place for several years now.113
found that the majority of them believed they could Although the education infrastructure is undeniably
not afford schooling and the associated costs.110 Nearly in need of expansion, these systemic barriers created
just as many were not aware of the opportunities at by prejudices against refugees creates the illusion that
all. Despite there being international sources of there are absolutely no opportunities available for
funding available, almost all were not aware of the refugees even without expansion. This pushes the idea
sources of funding available for refugees whether they that refugee children should be earning income for
knew their child can attend schools or not. Delegates the household since there are no other opportunities
should attempt to address the lack of awareness of available. A large issue within host countries is that
opportunity which is just as large as the inability to where children can go to school, their parents choose
afford schooling. to have them work since their family is in extreme
An example of this is that only forty-two percent poverty.114 Another notable issue is that parents may
of Syrian refugee children were enrolled in school not send their children to school for fear of their safety.
during the 2018-2019 academic year.111 These Barriers in language dialect, culture, background, and
figures are not surprising considering the confusing the overall prejudice against refugees has led to many
and convoluted processes required by the ministry
refugee children dropping out or never pursuing in Germany seem to have been successfully integrated
education.115 into schooling systems. Refugee children are offered
To make matters more severe, the majority of courses for integration which focus on teaching the
these children’s education was detrimentally affected German language. There are also programs that allow
by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the onset of the adults to “go back to school to earn a basic German
pandemic--around February of 2020--about fifty secondary school diploma” . This enables adult
percent of Syrian refugees were not offered schooling. refugees to participate in vocational training programs
During the lockdown, only thirty-five percent of and eventually enter those trades.
enrolled school-age refugees had the resources to
commit to online schooling, while the remainder just Key Questions:
did not receive any schooling. 116 The predicament What are the key infrastructural elements which
refugees face when it comes to education is dire, so provide stability for refugees?
how can delegates create a patchwork, or even a new How do these different structures tie into each
system, to provide refugees with the right to education other? (e.g. how does accessibility to education lead to
as mandated by international law? Delegates should a more accessible labor market?)
ultimately aim to answer one of our key questions:
how will this address the refugee crisis at the core
of the issue and aid in successful repatriation of
SUBSECTION C - EXAMINING
refugees? To continue to answer this, we will take a RESOLUTIONS
look at countries with more developed educational
infrastructure to address these questions. Each of these subsections will explore different
The Afghan refugees in Pakistan face a similar realms of action taken on by different members of the
lack of education accessibility. Those who sought international community (such as the United Nations,
refuge from Taliban controlled areas in Afghanistan and the European Union) in hopes of providing
enjoyed greater degrees of freedom in education and delegates with a significant breadth of different policies
work, especially women.117 However, many Afghan that are in place in response to the refugee crises.
refugee women from Kabul and other urban areas These topics will also touch on proposed solutions that
are now limited in what they can access. Citizenship delegates may evaluate and utilize in policy making.
and finances continue to be an imposing difficulty
on many refugees; even though Pakistan declared
Humanitarian Aid
schooling to be free for children fifteen and older, the The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has pushed
costs of supplies and transportation was unfeasible the country towards a humanitarian crisis. In
for Afghan refugees. This contributes to the lower August 2021, the Taliban seized power, resulting in
overall education levels of Afghan refugees. Seventy immediate repercussions. We expect humanitarian
percent have no formal education, and of the kids aid to continue following the withdrawal of the
who attend school, thirty-nine percent are boys and United States from Afghanistan. However, many
eighteen percent are girls.118 The literacy rate is low humanitarian organizations are facing daunting
among Afghans with only thirty-three percent being challenges to provide relief because of the Taliban’s
literate, and only eight percent of Afghan women threat to national security. Directly after the Taliban
being literate. Many families place an emphasis on took power, the United States halted access to billions
boys’ education over that of the girls’ because of the of dollars in Afghan central bank reserves.121 The
negative culture around women being outside of European Union (EU) suspended funding for the long-
homes. Many girls are instead enrolled in religious term aid that supported developmental programs in
schools.119 However, a report by the UNHCR in 2020 Afghanistan. The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
shows an improvement in the number of children and the World Bank also stopped the release of funds
registered in schools. Through the UNHCR’s efforts, to the country to keep money out of the Taliban’s
54,111 Afghan children, with thirty-nine percent of reach. Freezing the aid and assets in Afghanistan has
them being girls, enrolled across 145 schools and 54 caused a major financial crisis in the country, which
refugee villages.120 could lead to the collapse of their economy.
In Germany, children under the age of eighteen The United Nations has recognized Afghanistan
are generally required nine or ten years of schooling. is under a major humanitarian catastrophe. Roughly
About one third of refugees are children under the 36% of the Afghan population is facing food insecurity,
age of eighteen and the majority of refugee children
and it is estimated this percentage will increase during a position of employment. After enough years, the
the winter. Furthermore, Afghanistan is experiencing door opens to them becoming permanent residents
a drought affecting the country’s agriculture, further of Germany. The 3+2 rule itself opened a door to
worsening food insecurity and shortage. Studies have employment and it in turn opened more doors for
estimated approximately 18 million Afghans—almost refugees and asylum seekers to gain safety through
half of the population—need immediate humanitarian permanent residency and income. Despite all these
aid in the upcoming months.122 Shortly after the developments, this rule still does not apply to those
seizure by the Taliban, members of the G20 met to under subsidiary protection. This could potentially be
discuss the dire humanitarian crisis of the country a factor that delegates may address in order to address
based on these statistics. issues of employment or refugees. 126 In order for these
Major donors agreed to provide immediate sorts of policies to even come into play, it is important
humanitarian relief to Afghans but are stopping that host countries develop a framework to integrate
short of agreeing to any policy that will support the refugees into their workforce. This starts by granting
Taliban directly. The violations that the Taliban has them permission to work as in the case of Germany.
committed against human rights have created a policy The difficulties that refugees Lebanon and
dilemma in terms of humanitarian aid. The G20 Pakistan face are almost inescapable because of the
recognizes that failing to aid in this crisis will lead to legal barriers to work. They must find unsustainable
a state collapse and mass displacement and migration, means to receive income. Building a pathway to
resulting in the suffering of millions. The EU has employment comes with recognizing that refugees can
provided a “humanitarian plus support” policy, which and should be included in the workforce and knowing
enables humanitarian aid in any form of assistance that it will improve the economy in the long term.
that is necessary to meet the population’s needs.123 In Lebanon, for example, refugees can be granted
This policy will focus on paying healthcare workers’ legal residency first so that they may find work. The
salaries and other government support that would majority of Syrians over fifteen years old do not carry a
otherwise be blocked. The “plus support” policy legal residency. 127 Once that is accomplished then the
will allow humanitarian organizations to bypass the sectors that refugees already work in can be reinforced,
frozen sanctions in place. Furthermore, the United and vocational training and legal rights will make
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has more fields available for refugees to work in. Take
proposed the “people’s economy fund”. The fund the agricultural sector as an example. Revitalizing the
enables humanitarian organizations to distribute cash agricultural sector with an infrastructure that includes
to the community while avoiding Taliban government the protection of refugees is an example of creating a
assistance. Germany has pledged USD 58 million to pathway to employment. Syrian refugees can generally
this fund.124 offer expertise on agriculture so funding projects led
The escalating situation in Afghanistan has by refugees, especially refugee women, can secure
forced many people to leave their homes. The United the role of refugees in the labor market and create a
Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has called a bar positive social association.128 Ensuring better working
on forced return of Afghans to their country. The non- conditions and the protection of women against abuse,
return advisory will halt deportation of asylum seekers. and children against child labor, can open the door to
However, those who could not flee their country will new employment and increase refugee participation in
continue to receive aid from the UNHCR. Denmark, the work force. It can also enable the children to focus
Finland, and Norway have contributed USD 12.7 on education which provides more opportunities to
million, USD 3.5 million, and USD 4.1 million enter the skilled labor market. 129
respectively, to this initiative.125 Offering refugees work in humanitarian agencies
allows them to gain and share important skills which
Building a pathway to employment can alleviate the refugee crisis. In Pakistan, Afghan
The 3+2 rule in Germany allowed a pathway to refugees played a large role in creating and working
employment for even those who may have been denied for Afghan non-governmental organizations which
asylum but were still living in Germany. The person sought rebuilding and rehabilitation of Afghanistan
undertakes an apprenticeship for about two to three by Afghan people. This allowed Afghan refugees to
years and is guaranteed asylum for those years. Once seek work and this work in turn allows more refugees
the apprenticeship ends, it is possible for an asylum to take the necessary skills and experiences throughout
seeker to gain longer residence should they receive Pakistan and more organizations; allowing refugees to
take charge in their rehabilitation by giving them the
necessary training is a good way to increase workforce term.132 The refugees are able to focus on education
participation and ensure meaningful employment. An and eventually become self-sustainable, effectively
example of this is that the United Nations Regional integrating into the community.
Office For Central Africa offered training and Delaying refugee status or giving lower protections
resources to encourage the development of Afghan creates uncertainty which prevents integration and
non-governmental organizations which offer relief. participation in the labor force. This makes the return
The work of the United Nations to train refugees worse for the host country. Refugees who remain in a
in skills and propagate this training is essential to legal limbo as they wait for work permits face a great
effectively remedy the difficulties that refugees face. deal of uncertainty in their future. Even those who have
been denied asylum are not guaranteed to be deported
Human rights protections and have the chance to work. These uncertainties are
In Lebanon, we have seen minor steps toward the pushed by delays of processing refugee status and
improvement of social protections for at risk groups. when asylum seekers do not receive full protection of
Transgender individuals, particularly refugees, were the law. This makes it more difficult for refugees to
offered protections by a recent court ruling which ruled integrate into the society and fully engage in the labor
in favor of protecting the privacy of this community.130 force. This in turn lessens the return provided to the
Despite this ruling by a higher court, the social stigma host country, in this case Germany, and places a bigger
and violence against refugees and other marginalized burden on the government’s and humanitarian groups
groups needs to be addressed before the law can be finances.133
Evidence suggests that another policy
effectively implemented. The basis of the human which some countries have enacted may actually harm
rights protections comes from the definition of a the progress of integration; dispersal policies of ethnic
refugee. International law defines refugees as anybody enclaves attempt to evenly spread the population of
who faces persecution for any of their identities or refugees and fill vacant labor markets, both skilled
alignments; it forbids the forced removal of refugees and unskilled. But this prevents the natural flow
134
since it would place them in immediate and direct of information between refugee communities and
danger. Yet there are many instances where refugees prevents refugees from hearing of opportunities and
encounter difficulties in applying for refugee status receiving support from families and close communities.
and face the risk of deportation. Some political parties The overall reduced accessibility to opportunities and
in governments across Europe advocate for the closing support may outweigh any benefits to spreading the
of borders or quicker removal of displaced people. This workforce throughout a country. 135
may endanger the displaced people and it denies them The successful integration of refugees into the
of their right of safety. An example of protections offered host country has proven to be an effective means
is given by the crisis in Afghanistan. After the Taliban of a pathway to citizenship. This pathway is mainly
retook control, the UNHCR called on countries to paved by opportunities for work. Germany’s 3+1 rule
cease deportations and better process those seeking is instrumental in offering permanent residency to
asylum.131 Countries across the European Union refugees. In order for refugees to successfully obtain
heeded this call and worked to protect refugees in employment and fulfill their apprenticeship contracts,
accordance with the Geneva convention of 1951. Part it is vital that they receive appropriate educational and
of the reason refugees face such resistance is because vocational training.
of negative social perception and biases against them. Germany provides support to refugees
Delegates can seek policies which enable social change matriculating in higher education. Programs such as
in order to preserve human rights. the German Academic Exchange Service offer resources
such as counseling and academic advising for refugees.
Integration into the community Such programs also provide major specific language
and a pathway to citizenship courses which are essential for proper education and
job training while learning relevant terminology. By
Pakistan’s case study reveals that preventing pushing for more credentials from refugees’ home
integration creates a bigger burden on the countries to be accepted, more refugees can succeed
humanitarian aid and government that is providing in the college system and take part of the skilled labor
the resources. This is also demonstrated in the case of market.
Germany. One study estimates that proper language These highlight that many of the essential
and vocational training result in less fiscal spending infrastructures that are needed to support refugees
by the government on refugee programs in the long cannot or should not be evaluated alone. Put simply-
-education and training provides work-- and work These are the essential questions delegates should
provides a means to citizenship. Delegates should aim to answer with their resolutions. A good resolution
recognize that these infrastructures are intertwined does not have to strictly limit itself to these questions
and carefully examine how they can support each other and the issues discussed previously; a resolution
as well as stand alone to provide support to refugees. created by delegates can expand upon given research
With proper infrastructure in place, delegates can and provide examples of issues or what the delegate
then attempt to tackle the refugee crises at their roots believes to be a core infrastructure.
through legislation and United Nations action.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER
Key Question:
RESEARCH
What combination of these various resolutions
will lead to the most effective solution to the refugee Delegates can access the webpage for the United
crisis in the Middle East. Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in order to
gain a general understanding of the refugee crises we
QUESTIONS A RESOLUTION are discussing. These websites offer relevant and up
to date statistics on many of the infrastructures we
MUST ANSWER highlighted (such as number of children enrolled in
school). You can access from a web browser a plethora
Recognizing the Origin of the Issue, of government or privately funded research on this
Preventing Repetition of Original topic. There are many pdfs available of manuscripts,
Issues theses, and research publications with a quick search. I
found that these publications offered plenty of statistics
In the two case studies of Lebanon and Afghanistan, and deep insight into the situation of refugees, such
which countries and elements have played the largest as how accessible labor markets are to them. These
role in creating the conditions that have led to a publications usually dedicate a section or mention
refugee crisis? To what degree are they responsible for in their conclusion possible solutions and goals that
aiding in the solution? governments and humanitarian organizations can
Factors Exacerbating the Issue, atstrive https://dsp-syria.org/sites/default/files/2020-05/
toward. An example of this is the document
Targeting Key Infrastructure to W h a t % 2 0 Ne x t % 2 0 f o r % 2 0 L i v e l i h o o d s % 2 0
Improve Programs%20Lebanon.pdf.
What are the key infrastructural elements which You can use the citations of student master theses
provide stability for refugees? published online as a way to gather trustworthy
How do these different structures tie into each sources. These theses often provide unique insights
other? (e.g. how does accessibility to education lead to into the topic. Of these available sources, delegates
a more accessible labor market?) should aim to utilize scholarly and impartial sources
such as research funded by a university or a trusted
Working Towards Solutions humanitarian organization. For information on the
most current events, delegates can access articles such
What are some solutions that may help alleviate
as those from the New York Times or Washington Post.
the refugee crises in the case studies of Lebanon and
Afghanistan?
What combination of these various resolutions POSITION PAPER
will lead to the most effective solution to the refugee REQUIREMENTS
crisis in the Middle East?
Once you have completed your preliminary
Addressing the Core of the Issue, research, you are ready to write your position paper.
Preventing Future Crises Unless otherwise indicated in the respective committee
background guide, HMUN requires delegates to
How will this address the refugee crisis at the write a one single-spaced page position paper. These
core of the issue and aid in successful repatriation of papers should be submitted on MUNBase no later
refugees? Can the issue be addressed in the refugee’s than January 15th. Your Director’s email address can
country of origin? be found either in your Background Guide, or the
HMUN website. Each position paper has three basic B. Position taken by your delegation
parts: your country’s national interests, your country’s What are your national interests in the situation?
national policies, and your opinion on potential What are your nation’s policies on the topic?
resolution components. National interests are what a What steps would you like to see taken to deal
country would like to see happen in the world (e.g. with the problem?
Cameroon, a lesser developed country troubled by C. Proposed Solutions
terrorism, wants to reduce the incidence of terrorism What does your nation believe needs to be done
to stabilize its government). These interests are not to solve the problem?
subject to compromise, but instead generally idealized What do you predict will be the main opposition
goals or methods of solving specific problems. to your proposals?
National policies are the country’s attempts Position papers should roughly adhere to the
to secure its interests (e.g. Cameroon, in an effort above form, with the Country, the Committee, and the
to combat terrorism, has sought to enter into new Topic included at the top. Please limit your paper to
extradition treaties). These policy positions are usually one single-spaced typed page. A sample position paper
open to negotiation. Your opinions on potential may be found in the Guide to Delegate Preparation.
resolution components are your responses to the
“Proposed Solutions” and “Questions A Resolution CLOSING REMARKS
Must Answer” sections of the Background Guide.
Although these sections provide flexibility, you need I hope that this guide has been instrumental in
to keep in mind the interests of your nation. Possible your understanding of the current refugee crises of the
resolutions must be consistent with your country’s Middle East and Central Asia. As I was writing this
national interests and current national policies (e.g. guide, catastrophic events unfolded in Afghanistan
Cameroon feels that any resolution on the prevention with the resurfacement of the Taliban. The situation
of terrorism must assign to the injured state the right in Lebanon continues to deteriorate and violent
to try the terrorists. In addition, Cameroon would protests continue. Earlier this year, the situation with
not be averse to the establishment of an international Palestinians and Israelis flared over the events that
information network on terrorism. Cameroon, unfolded in Sheik Jarrah. These contemporaneous
however, will not support any resolution that allows events prove that this topic is ever more pertinent to
terrorist acts to be protected from extradition under today’s international community and relevant to many
the political offense exception doctrine). people across many nations. I have confidence that you
Writing position papers benefits you in many all will use this information and further research this
ways. The staff reads over the position papers topic in order to create humane resolutions and address
and summarizes them in order to gauge what the the issues at their very center. To be an understanding
committee will be like and to see which delegates have and functioning member of international discourse
done a good job preparing for the conference. Most regarding displacement of people, it is important to
importantly, writing a position paper makes you think keep discussions, and more importantly, proposed
about the information you have researched and helps solutions of these crises centerstage. These crises have
you to express ideas concisely and clearly, making you been ongoing for many years now; the Afghanistan
better prepared for the conference. crisis has been ongoing since the Cold War and the
The structuring of the position papers is intended crises in Syria since the early 2010’s. There have been
to elicit responses from the delegates that provide a many examples where politicians have failed to address
clear picture of a nation’s stance on a particular topic these issues because of underlying agendas or biases
area. By providing an outline of a position paper, interfering with humanitarian goals. As members
we hope that delegates will be able to illustrate clear of the model UNHCR, I look forward to working
knowledge of their country’s policies and interests with you all to further the goal of humanitarian aid.
instead of simply reiterating parts of the Background I also look forward to seeing the well thought out
Guide. research and resolutions you will procure. I am here
A position paper should include three sections, to support you all and am open to any questions you
outlined below: may have, feel free to reach out to me! I will see you all
A. Background of the Topic at the conference--until then research hard and enjoy
In your country’s opinion, what are the main yourselves.
elements of the problem? Best,
What are the roots of those elements? Alex Elamine
ENDNOTES
1 Vora, Anchal. “‘Afraid of Return’: Palestinians Fearful of Life in Yarmouk Camp.” Al Jazeera, 30 March 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/30/palestinian-
syrians-bear-the-brunt-of-syrias-war.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Yahya, Maya and Marwan Muasher, “Arab Horizons: Refugee Crises in the Arab World,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, https://carnegieendowment.
org/2018/10/18/refugee-crises-in-arab-world-pub-77522.
6 “Syrian Refugees Profoundly Hit by COVID-19 Economic Downturn,” UNHCR, The Refugee Agency, https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/briefing/2020/6/5ee884fb4/
syrian-refugees-profoundly-hit-covid-19-economic-downturn.html.
7 Ibid.
8 “Taliban Retake Afghanistan’s Capital After 20 years in Shadows,” 15 August 2021, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-15/taliban-retake-Afghanistan-
s-capital-after-20-years-in-shadows.
9 Ben Hubbard and Bryan Denton, “Collapse: Inside Lebanon’s Worst Economic Meltdown in More Than a Century,” The New York Times, August 4, 2021, sec. World,
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/04/world/lebanon-crisis.html.
10 Human Rights Watch, “Yemen: Events of 2020,” in World Report 2021, 2021, https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/yemen.
11 Human Rights Watch.
12 Human Rights Watch.
13 “Lebanon,” UNRWA, accessed November 26, 2021, https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/lebanon.
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lebanon-collapse-corruption-refugees-europe/.
16 Anne Bayefsky, Human Rights and Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrant Workers (Netherlands: Koninklijke Brill NV., 2006).
17 Sarah Hucal, “Afghanistan: Who Are the Hazaras?,” AlJazeera, June 27, 2016.
18 Steve Coll, Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 (New York: Penguin Press, 2004).
19 Luciano Monzali and Paolo Soave, eds., Italy and the Middle East: Geopolitics, Dialogue and Power during the Cold War (London: I.B. TAURIS, 2021), https://doi.
org/10.5040/9781838606947.
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23 Ibrahim, “Lebanon Is Europe’s Most Urgent Challenge.”
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www.cgdev.org/blog/us-withdrawal-rights-afghan-refugees-pakistan-hang-balance.
25 Yousaf Ali, Muhammad Sabir, and Noor Muhammad, “Refugees and Host Country Nexus: A Case Study of Pakistan,” Journal of International Migration and Integration
20, no. 1 (February 1, 2019): 137–53, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-018-0601-1.
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30 Hubbard and Denton, “Collapse.”
31 Cathrine Brun and Ali Fakih, “The Economic Impact of the Syrian Refugee Crisis in Lebanon: What It Means for Current Policies,” World Refugee & Migration
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32 “EU to Boost Afghan Humanitarian Aid, Press G7 on Refugee Resettlement,” POLITICO, August 21, 2021, https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-call-on-g7-for-
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33 “EU to Boost Afghan Humanitarian Aid, Press G7 on Refugee Resettlement.”
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35 “G7 Leaders Statement on Afghanistan.”
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37 d’Albis, Boubtane, and Coulibaly.
40 Micheal Nienaber, “Germany Spends Record 23 Bln Euros on Refugees: Document,” Reuters, May 20, 2019, sec. U.S. Markets, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-
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42 Siobhan Dowling, “Germany Welcomed Refugees. Now It’s Reaping the Economic Benefits,” Al-Jazeera, June 20, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/6/20/
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45 Khatib.
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51 Khatib, “Lebanon’s Politics and Politicians.”
52 Shelly Culbertson et al., “Rethinking Coordination of Services to Refugees in Urban Areas: Managing the Crisis in Jordan and Lebanon” (RAND Corporation, April
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57 “‘Don’t Punish Me for Who I Am.’”
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59 Raunsgard.
60 Raunsgard.
61 Raunsgard.
62 Raunsgard.
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64 Ali, Sabir, and Muhammad.
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69 “Germany.”
70 “Germany.”
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Harvard Model United

A Background Guide for

Letter from the Secretary-General................................................................................ 3

Statement of the Problem.............................................................................................6

Position Paper Requirements..................................................................................... 23

INTRODUCTION In the UNHCR committee at HMUN 2022,

Afghan people flee to airports during the Taliban takeover, https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/taliban-retakes-afghanistan-

Afghani refugees in Pakistan, https://www.dw.com/en/new-hope-for-millions-of-afghan-refugees-in-pakistan/a-45543477.

Agriculture can provide a positive work experience for refugees, https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2017/10/16/farm-small-think-big-

Access to education is a significant determinant of the well-being of refugee children, https://www.weforum.org/

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