Guinea

Operational context

In 2017, the political climate in Guinea was partly affected by social tensions in relation to local elections. This was compounded by strikes by teachers calling for increased wages in February 2017, and by trade unions in November 2017.
 
UNHCR continued to work with the Government of the Republic of Guinea, along with one NGO (ODIC), and other UN agencies. UNHCR and two partners implemented projects in several areas, including protection, community services, health, livelihoods, education, WASH, camp management, security and warehouse management.
 
In order to increase the asylum space, UNHCR advocated with the Government for the adoption of a draft asylum law, accession to the Kampala Convention and to set up a national legal framework that would enable protection and assistance to internally displaced people (IDPs).
 
The implementation of local integration in Guinea was hindered by the lack of an efficient mechanism to define the legal and economic aspects of refugee integration.
 
The work on the new Civil Code relating to nationality proceeded. Once adopted, it will conform to the provisions of Statelessness Conventions of 1954 and 1961.

Population trends

By the end of 2017, the number of people of concern to UNHCR in Guinea was close to 5,300 people, consisting of some 5,160 refugees and 110 asylum-seekers (more or less the same number as of 2016). A majority of refugees came from Côte d’Ivoire (some 4,500), followed by Liberia (close to 300) and Sierra Leone (some 200).

Key achievements

• In order to facilitate medical coverage for illnesses not covered by refugee health facility, UNHCR and its partner put in place a referral system that aligned with the health monitoring system of Guinea.
• UNHCR, together with partners, introduced a tracking system for students to monitor their school attendance and drop-out rates.
• UNHCR continued livelihood and self-reliance activities with the goal of local integration. Substantial progress was made towards compliance with the minimum livelihoods criteria.
• Ivorian refugees in Kouankam 2 refugee camp benefitted from the ongoing sensitization campaign on prevention of HIV/AIDS. 16 individuals living with HIV (4 men and 12 women) continued to benefit from the free services provided by the National Programme against AIDS in Guinea.

Unmet needs

• Nutritional needs were not fully covered due to funding constraints.
• Self-reliance coverage was limited due to funding constraints.

Working environment

Successful presidential elections were held on 11 October 2015 and allayed fears of upheaval in the country.  Shortly after, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on December 29, 2015 the end of the Ebola outbreak in Guinea.

Since the outbreak began in March 2014, the socio-economic life of the country was disrupted.  While the health sector was particularly affected, other sectors, including education, air transport, mining and trade, also suffered serious consequences.

With the closure of the border with Côte d’Ivoire due to Ebola Virus Disease, the voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees from Guinea remained suspended till the first half of 2016.  

Guinea has also taken a number of steps to ensure that human rights are respected.  The Department of Justice continued the reform of the judicial sector, with the establishment of a Commission for the reform of criminal law and the Higher Council of the judiciary.  

Key priorities

In 2017, UNHCR’s operation will focus on:
•    Strengthening the legal framework in the country, following the adoption of the asylum law by the National Assembly and its promulgation by the President in 2016;
•    Working with the government to facilitate the local integration of refugees willing to do so;
•    Providing targeted assistance to Ivorian refugees voluntarily returning to Côte d’Ivoire in 2017;
•    Processing the resettlement submissions for some 500 refugees to third countries by the end of 2017, including Liberians in need of international protection, Sierras Leonean refugees and other refugees from other nationalities;
•    Strengthening the self-reliance of refugees through livelihoods programmes.