Al-Saadi: Three Options for the Return of Displaced Persons in Yemen
The Executive Unit for IDPs has launched a Study focusing on IDP Returnees, their needs, and the areas of return. As this is a first-of-its-kind Study focusing on returnees, we thoroughly examined it and delved deeper into key terms that captured our interest, including “durable solutions for returnees,” “The UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement,” and “the transition toward durable solutions.”
After reviewing various media outlets’ coverage of the Study and the details and figures it presented, we decided to approach this study and the issue of transitioning towards durable solutions from a different perspective that highlights these key terms, foundations, and the standards governing the transition towards durable solutions, and how they can be utilized to address internal displacement.
To delve deeper into the Study and the issue of transitioning towards durable solutions, we conducted a press interview with Mr. Najeeb Al-Saadi, Head of the Executive Unit for IDPs, who welcomed us warmly and was open to discussing all our questions.
To the dialogue:
Interview by: Abdulsalam Hail – Photography by: Zaki Al-Yousfi
Q: To begin, could you tell us more about the Study? Why was it conducted? What are the legal and humanitarian perspectives that the Executive Unit relied on in conducting the study? How was the study conducted, and Who carried it out?
Mr. Al-Saadi: First of all, welcome, and thank you for shedding light on the Survey Study conducted by the Executive Unit for IDPs.
The primary purpose of the study is to establish a baseline of data needed for planning durable solutions. It provides a vast amount of data and indicators necessary for durable solutions planning.
The Study was conducted by the Executive Unit’s field team, which is deployed across all areas. We also collaborated with various entities in some governorates, such as community committees in the temporary capital, Aden, the Executive Unit’s offices in the governorates also provided us with a vast amount of data regarding the level of services and contributed to verifying this information. The study is based on the legal mandate of the Executive Unit, as outlined in its establishment decision and the National Policy for Addressing the Internal Displacement, which assigns the Executive Unit the task of collecting data on displaced persons, as well as the data needed for implementing the National Policy.
Additionally, we relied on the directives and guidance of the government, led by Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, focused on restoring the role of State institutions. Furthermore, the Study aligns with the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.
Q: The Study discussed durable solutions. Can you elaborate on what durable solutions mean?
Mr. Al-Saadi: A durable solution is achieved when internally displaced persons no longer have any specific assistance and protection needs that are linked to their displacement and can enjoy their human rights without discrimination on account of their displacement. This requires a shift from emergency humanitarian action to sustainable and development projects and durable solutions.
There are three options for durable solutions: • Voluntary Return to the place of origin
- Integration in areas of displacement; • Resettlement elsewhere in another part of the country.
Q: Are these options absolute and not limited by conditions? Who determines which option to adopt?
Mr. Al-Saadi: These options are theoretical and their implementation is governed by several factors. First, they should be implemented voluntarily and chosen by the displaced persons themselves. For the second and third options, there must be approval from the host communities and local authorities. It is not acceptable to integrate displaced persons or resettle them in light of the rejection of local communities because this will create a new societal problem.
To further clarify, durable solutions mean that the State and its institutions must be the leaders, planners, and owners of these solutions. The solutions must begin with the rehabilitation of State institutions, either using available resources or through international community support.
Q: You mentioned that the plan aligns with the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement. Could you shed light on this Action Agenda?
Mr. Al-Saadi: This Action Agenda was launched by the UN Secretary-General in mid-2022 and was developed based on the report of the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, which is affiliated with the UN Secretary-General. The report accurately diagnosed the displacement crisis, identified the reasons for its lack of resolution, and offered a set of necessary recommendations for addressing displacement.
The Secretary-General’s Action Agenda leads to a radical transformation in the UN’s mechanisms and works to create effective mechanisms that lead to solutions for displacement, rather than merely addressing displacement as a reality without working towards solutions as has been done in the past. The Action Agenda emphasizes addressing displacement through an integrated approach across its three phases; as soon as displacement occurs, planning for durable solutions should begin. Additionally, the Action Agenda focuses on motivating national governments to fulfill their role in addressing displacement by supporting and building their capacities to manage the issue.
The Action Agenda clearly outlines the responsibilities and obligations of the UN and its agencies, emphasizing that durable solutions must be led by national governments. Furthermore, it calls on UN agencies to build their capacities and develop their mechanisms to align with the shift towards durable solutions.
Q: You mentioned in your responses that there is an international transition towards durable solutions and the integration of humanitarian and developmental work. Does the Yemeni side, specifically the government, have the desire for this transition?
Mr. Al-Saadi: Yes, Yemen indeed has a sincere intention to shift from emergency response to durable and developmental solutions. This is very evident in the speeches of the Prime Minister and the emphasis placed by all officials in their meetings and discussions. This orientation has also been elucidated through communications between Yemen and the United Nations, including, for instance, Yemen’s statement before the UN General Assembly delivered by the Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah al-Saadi, in March 2024.
Q: Are there requirements or conditions for transitioning towards durable solutions?
Mr. Al-Saadi: Yes, there are requirements or conditions for implementing durable solutions outlined by the UN Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Robert Piper. These include a genuine orientation from national governments to address displacement, the existence of a national strategy approved by the government, and an institutional body responsible for addressing displacement. Yemen has a sincere orientation, as we have clarified, along with the National Policy for Addressing Internal Displacement and an institutional body dedicated to durable solutions, which is the Executive Unit for IDPs.
Q: Well. Does the government have a clear vision for this transition and how to benefit from it?
Mr. Al-Saadi: Currently, in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, we are working on formulating a clear vision for this transition towards durable solutions, engaging all the concerned authorities in this regard.
Q: However, there is a financial challenge. How can the implementation of durable solutions begin amid a decline in international support and assistance to Yemen?
Mr. Al-Saadi: Funding is indeed a significant challenge facing humanitarian efforts and finding durable solutions. However, it is crucial for everyone to understand that donors, after realizing that the funds they provide for addressing displacement have not made a significant impact or created necessary solutions for displacement crisis, find it essential to shift from emergency responses to long-term solutions. This approach aims to tackle displacement through an integrated approach that addresses all three phases simultaneously. Thus, the idea of durable solutions is attractive and convincing for donors to provide more support for sustainable and developmental projects that align with the goals of sustainable development.
Q: As the Executive Unit responsible for addressing displacement, do you have a clear vision for addressing displacement? Can you elaborate on this vision and your plans?
Mr. Al-Saadi: Displacement has significantly spread, affecting nearly every area, with approximately three million displaced persons and two million, three hundred thousand returnees. Our vision for addressing displacement must be comprehensive and commensurate with the scale of this spread. In brief, our vision is that addressing displacement is the responsibility of the entire government and local authorities. The solutions should follow a participatory approach involving various government authorities, displaced persons, host communities, and the private sector, where all government authorities fulfill their roles. There should be strategic, sectoral, and local plans based on sustainable development, which are then compiled into a general plan with defined costs and timelines, built on realistic data. This plan must encompass the technical, human, and financial needs of the authorities to enable them to fulfill their roles, as well as the requirements for addressing displacement. Furthermore, the support and backing of international organizations and donors for government efforts are essential for addressing displacement.
Q: This is a broad vision… Does the Executive Unit for IDPs possess the necessary human, technical, and financial capacities to implement this vision?
Mr. Al-Saadi: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” In the Executive Unit, we have a well-qualified team deployed across all areas, along with some technical capabilities. However, we still need to build our institutional, human, and technical capacities, as well as financial resources that match the role entrusted to us and the nature of our tasks. We also possess the will and determination to achieve our goals and overcome all challenges.
Q: You mentioned that your vision is based on a participatory approach with government authorities and international organizations. What does this approach entail? How can it be implemented given the current situation, which is characterized by a lack of resources and the administrative weakness of institutions?
Mr. Al-Saadi: The participatory approach means that all governmental authorities collaborate in addressing displacement, while international organizations also engage according to specific and clear roles and responsibilities. There should be an effective coordination mechanism to ensure the smooth execution of tasks and facilitate access for displaced persons to services. We are currently working on forming a technical team composed of representatives from various relevant entities. This team will define the roles and responsibilities of different entities based on the National Policy for Addressing Internal Displacement and then establish an effective coordination mechanism. We look forward to completing this phase during this year to submit it to the government for approval.
