Refugees Daily - Internal Global Press Review

Bishkek, 17 December 2015 – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugeesmarks five years of peace and stability in the Kyrgyz Republic, as this week it closesField Offices in Osh and Jalalabad cities.

"The closure of our offices in the Osh and Jalalabadis a testimony to the determination of the Kyrgyz government and the people to achieve peace and maintain stability," UNHCR's Representative Maki Shinohara said. "While we may not have a permanent presence in the southern provinces, UNHCR will continue to support the authorities and partners there, particularly in addressing statelessness, border management and emergency preparedness."

UNHCR re-opened its offices in Osh and Jalalabad in 2010, initially to help reconstruct over 1,500 houses and restore thousands of documents as up to 400,000 people were driven out of their homes. In the latest intervention, the Refugee Agency has completed its two year UN peacebuilding program coined, "Building Trust and Confidence among People, Communities and Authorities,"enabling 107 small-scale projects and resolving 200 legal cases related to land allocation, social welfare or registration. According to the final survey of UNHCR's peacebuilding project, there was a substantial increase in people's perception of trust between communities and local authorities.

"I leave Osh with a sense of satisfaction that UNHCR, together with its government and non-government partners made a difference in the people's lives," said Mr. Igor Ciobanu, outgoing Head of UNHCR Sub-Office Osh.

"UNHCR is grateful to the local authorities, government agencies and non-governmental partners for their excellent collaboration and friendship, which enabled such positive results. I am hopeful that the people themselves, together with the authorities, can continue to solve future disputesthrough administrative and legal means before they escalate into a larger conflict."

The UN Refugee Agency will continue to support the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in improving access to asylum, finding durable solutions for refugees as well as in the reduction and prevention of statelessness and emergency preparedness.

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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees leads and co-ordinates humanitarian action to protect refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless people in the Kyrgyz Republic. UNHCR provides assistance to the state authorities in establishing fair and efficient asylum systems, preventing and reducing statelessness.