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Yesterday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Danish Refugee Council Secretary General, Andreas Kamm in Geneva. The agreement builds upon a previous strategic partnership and since the scope and volume of collaboration has grown significant, underlining the importance of strategic partnership between UNHCR and DRC.
A strategic partnership agreement was signed yesterday by UNHCR and DRC involving the parties and building upon existing agreements which had to be updated due to the expanded cooperation between the organizations and not least the growth that DRC has been through since the precious agreement was signed in 2007. It is a strategic partnership committing the parties to work together in creating solutions for refugees and displaced persons around the world.
“We are very pleased that with the new agreement our partnership with UNHCR has grown and with this renewed MoU it has been acknowledged that DRC is a preferred strategic partner for UNHCR. The process has been comprehensive and many staff members and management in DRC and UNHCR has been involved. We are very happy that the agreement is signed. Overall we are each other’s largest partners and this agreement confirms the collaboration,” says Andreas Kamm, Secretary General, DRC.
The agreement will strengthen the partnership at global, regional and national levels, namely in areas such as protection, Emergency response, Solutions and Livelihood. The number of displaced persons is at a record high since World War II and hence there is more than ever a need for focusing on how to assists these vulnerable persons in the best possible way.
“Both parties seek to protect and assist refugees, IDPs and affected communities at all stages of displacement and hence these areas are of utmost importance as reflected in the agreement. Additionally we are pleased that this agreement involves key areas of operation for DRC. The value of strategic collaboration allows our teams on the ground to work together in more efficient and proactive manner,” says Andreas Kamm.
DRC works to ensure that no refugees or other persons of concern are in need of help to find protection and durable solutions. DRC works in 36 countries around the world and is a leading humanitarian actor in all three Level 4 emergencies at the moment; Syria, Iraq, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
The Memorandum of Understanding will enter into force on the date of its signatures, October 13, 2014 by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres and DRC Secretary General, Andreas Kamm
