Introduction

The situation of refugees and migrants continues to receive considerable attention, both in the Netherlands and internationally. In countries and regions that host large numbers of refugees, such as the countries around Syria and the Horn of Africa, public services are under severe pressure. Many refugees have insufficient access to employment and basic services like education. Migrants often underestimate the risks of migration routes through countries like Libya. They often fall victim to serious exploitation, extortion, mistreatment and (sexual) abuse.

For this reason, the Netherlands is making efforts to improve prospects for refugees and host communities in the region, prevent irregular migration and risks associated with it, and protect the human rights of refugees and migrants. Special attention is paid to women and young people. These efforts focus on North Africa, West Africa, the Horn of Africa and the region around Syria.

Prospects, a partnership set up by the Netherlands with five international organisations in eight host countries, is a major instrument for investment in refugees’ and host communities’ prospects. The partnership is a new way of working together to find sustainable solutions to long-term refugee crises.

Results 2019

The Netherlands funded efforts to improve prospects for refugees and vulnerable host communities in countries around Syria and in the Horn of Africa. Tens of thousands of people gained access to employment and psychosocial care, and more than 200,000 people gained access to education. More than half a million people obtained personal documents, such as birth certificates, which are crucial for access to justice, education, employment and property and for building a future. In addition, more than a million people gained access to basic services, such as waste disposal and police protection.

Activities under migration cooperation helped prevent irregular migration and protect vulnerable migrants. People planning to migrate irregularly were informed of the risks involved. Countries received support in tackling human trafficking and smuggling of migrants more effectively through, for example, training provided to 182 people. With support from the Netherlands, more than 2,700 stranded migrants were able to return home from North Africa. The Netherlands also funded efforts to help 1,800 migrants rebuild their lives after returning to their homes.

Background

According to UNHCR, approximately 5.5 million Syrian people have fled to neighbouring countries since the start of the crisis. This is the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War. Additionally, there are currently around 3.7 million refugees in the Horn of Africa. The Netherlands is focusing on the situation of refugees in the countries around Syria and in the Horn of Africa. Our main focus is on contributing to efforts that improve prospects for refugees and vulnerable host communities in these regions.

In regions around Europe, many people are suffering from a lack of prospects, for both economic and security reasons. Some opt for irregular migration, usually in their own region but in some cases to Europe. These migrants are often vulnerable. They suffer from hunger and thirst and fall victim to violence, exploitation and abuse. The Netherlands is working to prevent irregular migration through awareness-raising campaigns, assisting governments in tackling human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, providing aid to migrants in need and supporting them in returning to the their homes and rebuilding their lives.

Glimpse into the future

In the coming year, the Netherlands will continue to work closely with multilateral organisations, NGOs and knowledge institutions to achieve its objectives. The policy priorities in regions of origin continue to be protection, education and employment. The largest programme, the Prospects partnership, focuses on a development-oriented approach to long-term refugee crises, with the aim of improving the prospects of refugees and vulnerable host communities. Our focus in the coming year will be learning from results and experiences, together with our partners. Ongoing and new programmes will be continually monitored and evaluated and where necessary modified.

The current priorities within migration cooperation – awareness-raising, protection, combating human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, and return and reintegration – will continue to apply in the coming year. Gender equality will receive extra attention within the programmes. In keeping our focus on results, the Netherlands will aim for larger, multiyear programmes and better monitoring, evaluation and learning.