• Shantha Wanninayake

This paper inspects the role of local integration and local settlement as a means of addressing and finding durable solutions to the problems of human displacement and settlement. Initially, an attempt is made to define the concepts of local integration and local settlement, as well as their relationship to each other. One of the “durable solutions” promoted by UNHCR in protracted situations is local integration, where refugees are offered permanent asylum and integration into the host society by the host government. This paper will seek to examine and highlight the role of local integration as a durable solution to refugee influxes in countries of first asylum and that of IDPs who are self-settled in host societies. It concludes that local integration is actually not a forgotten solution, but one that is unrecognized and not much practiced. It is also suggested that local integration has great potential as a solution where repatriation or resettlement are not viable options; particularly in protracted refugee situations. The paper uses existing research literature and evaluation reports, available from UNHCR and other depositories such as the Refugee Studies Centre at Oxford University. The paper goes on to suggest that voluntary repatriation is not an immediately attainable solution for many of the world’s refugees or IDPs, nor is it necessarily the most viable one. On the basis of this analysis, the paper concludes that a comprehensive strategy is required to effectively address and resolve problems of refugees and of IDPs, involving a revitalized approach to local integration, local settlement, and the promotion of self-reliance.

integration, settlement, displacement, durable solution, refugees, IDPs

"Local Integration and Local Settlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees: A Conceptual Analysis", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 5, page no.e864-e879, May-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2105647.pdf

"Local Integration and Local Settlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees: A Conceptual Analysis", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 5, page no. ppe864-e879, May-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2105647.pdf