Africa/Global: Look beyond humanitarian dimension for refugee solutions, Lubbers tells Human Rights Commission

Declaring it is not enough to focus solely on the humanitarian dimension of refugee problems, UN refugee agency chief Ruud Lubbers outlined a range of initiatives aimed at finding lasting solutions for the world's displaced. Ensuring a more comprehensive, predictable and effective response to refugee situations requires that their economic, social and political dimensions also be considered. UNHCR and a host of other partners – including the UN Development Programme and the World Bank – have developed a "Framework for Durable Solutions" which is already being implemented through specific projects in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka and Zambia.