PUBLICATIONS
Statelessness is a global problem with serious ramifications. UNHCR estimates that at least 10 million people around the world are stateless. Yet, experience has shown that with sufficient political will, it can be resolved. Building on the increased awareness and commitment by States to address statelessness, in November 2014, UNHCR launched the #IBelong Campaign to End Statelessness by 2024.1 The achievement of the goals of the #IBelong Campaign is based on 10 Actions set out in the Global Action Plan (GAP) to End Statelessness. The GAP calls on States, with the support of UNHCR and other actors, to undertake a range of initiatives, from implementing legal and policy reforms to resolving the largest situations of statelessness and to improving data on the scope and situation of stateless populations. Progress against each of the 10 Actions will be publicly evaluated in 2017 and 2020 against a series of milestones set out in the GAP.
In this document, UNHCR has highlighted the financial requirements in 2017-2018 in 11 countries. Securing funding on a two-year basis is necessary as addressing statelessness requires sustained, multi-year efforts. The 11 countries included in this appeal host major stateless or at-risk populations, and significant progress in these countries in the next few years is crucial for achieving the goals of the #IBelong Campaign. The countries selected fulfil one or more of the following criteria:
- Strong momentum towards the eradication of statelessness already exists, but additional capital would permit an expanded response.
- The legal or policy framework to resolve statelessness exists, but implementation is lacking.
- Initiatives towards law reform to prevent statelessness need to be enlivened through dedicated and targeted response.