Like every year, ICMC was involved in the preparation of this important consultation where 200 NGO's took part. These three days of dialogue serve as a very useful forum for NGOs to raise awareness of issues, network and exchange views with The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The theme of this year's Consultation pays tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution" (art. 14, UDHR).

ICMC has organized two of the twelve Consultations' Thematic Sessions. In the first one, participants discussed the theme titled: "First aid, recovery and referral for refugees and other migrants injured or traumatized crossing borders". The most urgent response gap lies in the distinct slice of time just after rescue or arrival, and just before asylum, refugee, victim protection, integration and/or return processes, as Alanna Ryan, Policy Associate of ICMC, explained during the panel discussion. During her speech she also stated: "We believe that ensuring first aid, recovery and referral services that are more than ad hoc during this time guarantees appropriate support and protection for asylum seekers, children, vulnerable women and victims of trafficking or torture who may currently be overlooked and/or not provided with needed medical, psycho-social, legal or referral assistance."

In a second thematic session organized by ICMC, participants explored "new areas of cooperation in resettlement between UNHCR and NGOs". Margarita Tileva, ICMC Regional Director, Middle East, provided an overview of ICMC's "Outreach and Identification project identifying Iraqi Refugees and families in fragile situations in an urban environment". The project assists UNHCR in identifying the most vulnerable persons of concern thus supporting the UNHCR resettlement efforts. During her speech she highlighted some of the outcomes of the project, explaining, "The project provided us with the opportunity to enhance our monitoring of the protection environment in Jordan, to better understand the overall humanitarian situation of Iraqi Refugees, and to improve the access to resettlement and assistance for the most vulnerable."

For further inquiries contact Mr. Marc Aellen, Head of Communications, +41 22 919 10 27