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United Nations Association of New Zealand

Special for Global Health.

By Jean-Paul Bizoza

05 Nov 2021

The concept of Global health was initiated by the United Nations (UN) with the world bank in 1945 and finally implemented by the World health organization (WHO) in 1948 after devastating epidemics that took thousand lives at the time. Since then, the United Nations health agency has taken measures to improve global health through research initiatives, monitoring, leadership and best practice standards among members of states. The concept of Global Health (GH) is not to be confused with international health, which is defined as the branch of public health focusing foreign aid efforts for developing nations. In contrast, global health emphasizes governance arrangements, development frameworks, social dynamics of health and international health systems.  As a new area of special expertise, I will mainly focus on COVID-19 implications on global health and advancement for a Framework Convention on Global Health (FCGH) including New Zealand  commitments to the World Health Organization, global health equity and sustainable development Goals in the Western Pacific Region.

The impact of COVID-19 on global health

The impact of a COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of deaths and global disruption to almost every part of life.  Amid a global health coronavirus crisis, there are questions as to how governments have responded to the pandemic. In the case of Aotearoa New Zealand, the government was initially praised for its elimination strategy, which successfully kept COVID cases out of the community in 2020. As the highly infectious Delta strain began wreaking havoc across Auckland in 2021, the Ministry of Health abandoned the initial strategy (elimination), and it approved a “COVID-19 Protection Framework” as a new pathway out of lockdown.

The Protection Framework, which became contentious (vague) and will be initiated when once 90% of eligible New Zealanders are fully vaccinated According to the NZ Ministry of Health. It is anticipated that the framework will open borders to the world and provide freedom of movements with less disruption. With the new approach announced by the NZ Prime Minister, there are now questions whether opening up the borders will hit the highest contagious Delta variant Covid-19 cases in the community leading to a potential overwhelming health system. The framework has also raised questions whether it adheres to WHO best available expert advice on COVID-19 response especially technical guidance on lockdown, vaccine equity, human rights and the importance of reliable information quality at a time when rumors are thriving.

To start with, the WHO recommends countries to open border restrictions cautiously, whilst keeping COVID-19 golden rules that encompass vaccination, physical distance of at least 2 meters from others, use of properly fitted masks and cleaning hands frequently and self-isolation for infected people. The WHO strongly advocates for health equity and protection of the most vulnerable people.    In addition, the WHO urges members of states to avoid a "global one size fits all policy", and it urges them to adhere to vaccine equity targets as this will substantially increase population immunity globally, protect health systems, enable economies to fully restart and ultimately reduce the risk of new variants emerging. One would then ask whether New Zealand has taken into account the recommendations above with regards to COVID-19 global response, particularly vaccine equity for our neighbor pacific nations through COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access also known as COVAX. As a country that supports the concept of global citizenship, one would also question New Zealand contribution vis a vis equitable vaccine for most vulnerable people in the western pacific nations.

 

What should United Nations Association of New Zealand  do?

UNANZ's role is mainly to help New Zealanders understand the UN and promote engagement with it. Thus, it should encourage New Zealand to promote the UN multilateral system, human rights on COVID-19 (individual liberty) and effective global cooperation. Threats to people’s livelihood and human survival, brought on by COVID-19 demonstrates that the pandemic is more than a health crisis, which requires successful epidemic prevention efforts from national, regional and global level. In the light of that, New Zealand needs to promote the Global Health Security Initiative. I.e., The effects of the pandemic between and within countries will be felt on a global scale for years to come.

Importantly, New Zealand needs to advance “health for all / best care for everyone policy”, build a world where people regardless of where they live, or who they are, have urgent access to vaccinations. As the pandemic has shown, no one is safe until everyone is safe and a global/complex threat requires global solutions. Vaccine equity is paramount as it is a powerful tool in stopping the vast majority of people getting sick, hospitalized and dying. While we encourage people to take vaccination, we should make sure that the Ministry of Health response to coronavirus is grounded in the principles of human right, public trust, transparency, respect and empathy for the most vulnerable. 

We are in this together, all have to play our part and will get through this together, He waka eke noa

End

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COVID-19 impact on the UN Humanitarian agencies, New Zealand role in the Pacific.

By Jean-Paul Bizoza Special Officer for Humanitarian Affairs (2020-21), The United Nations Association of New Zealand 

The World Health Organization (WHO) affirms that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic represents an international threat to humankind. The UN health agency reports that COVID-19 has affected 172 million and killed over 3 million people since it was first reported in Wuhan,Hubei province, in late December 2019.

The loss of human life on such scale presents an unprecedented challenge to global health, economic security and the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and wellbeing for all. Likewise, the negative impact of the outbreak is already visible on global health systems in the countries that are experiencing outbreaks spike of COVID-19 cases particularly Italy, Spain, South Africa, USA, Brazil and recently India. The virus has overwhelmed health systems and triggered direct mortality and indirect loss of life from treatable conditions. Thus, COVID-19 is not only a global pandemic and it has also negatively affected financial markets and the global economy.

While many countries' health systems are on the verge of collapse due to the pandemic, the WHO considers New Zealand as ‘pandemic leadership master on Coronavirus response specifically for its robust contact-tracing, consistent public communications and extensive testing. The WHO recognizes that leadership, communication that help stop the transmission of COVID-19 and health guidelines compliance are key to New Zealand's COVID-19 success. It has co-opted NZ former prime minister Helen Clark as one of panel members for probing WHO's andemic response.

Reciprocally, New Zealand commends critical roles that the UN global health agency plays in the fight against the pandemic particularly data sharing, guidance and expertise. Although New Zealand success has been recognized globally, questions have been raised as to what role New Zealand could play to assist pacific nations or prevent the spread of COVID-19 to Pacific nations, which are still relatively free of the virus.

There are global concerns around mandatory and mass quarantines to severe restrictions on the movement of people. This has raised concerns about how countries adhere to international human rights obligations, Bills of Rights and other UN conventions that establish responsibilities, rights, and limitations, which are directly relevant to coronavirus pandemic. i.e., Governments and health systems have an obligation to ensure, to the best of their ability, adequate provision of health care for all.

The challenge that the international community now faces is how each member of states will strengthen global action, cooperation and leadership or assist the WHO to fight against Covid-19. This will require a cohesion, global response, construction criticism, engagement and initiatives that aim to help nations find common ground. The WHO believes that countries should collaborate and discourage racist discourses associated with COVID-19 particularly linguistic discrimination such as “imported cases, Chinese virus, India Virus, UK virus, RSA Virus , Brazil Virus, Portugal Virus etc...”

The racist COVID-19 phrases create hatred, distracts countries from fighting effectively the pandemic, and they are not aligned with the UN health agency and its ideals. Thus, associating the virus with foreigners also plays cognitive bias against outsiders only create fear of contagion. The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reminds that "turning on each other or blaming does not help to fight the pandemic and the virus is the problem, not the people in order to fight COVID-19. He indicates that every country should focus on building more equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies that are more resilient in the face of pandemics, and the many other global humanitarian challenges we face."

COVID-19 from UNHCR perspective.

Many refugee camps suffer from insufficient hygiene and sanitation facilities, creating conditions conducive to the spread of free of COVID-19 particularly, social distancing, which seems to be physically impossible in many refugee camps or crowded urban areas. Deteriorated health conditions due to malnutrition, poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, and basic medical care means displaced populations are acutely vulnerable.

NGOs: Due COVID-19 lockdown or restrictions of the movement, charities and international non- governmental organizations have a limit access to field operations where essential interventions in terms of life saving is highly needed. COVID 19 has affected not only the humanitarian donations, and it has worsened poverty to countries where conflict, violence, natural disasters, climatic or economic shocks have been deteriorating the resilience capacity of the population.

World Food program: (WFP) reports that COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economic activities and triggered food insecurity especially in the countries that have experienced conflict and other disasters. In the Pacific the WFP collaborates with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in responding to emergencies through Food Security and Logistics. Currently, New Zealand provides 60% around $1.331 billion (2018-2021) of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding.

To recap COVID-19 is an international threat to humankind. Therefore, nations need to strengthen the WHO ideals. The WHO came into force on 7 April 1948 with the main goal to lead partners in global health responses and direct international health through the United Nations' system. The WHO currently monitors the COVID-19 worldwide, provides technical guidance and medical equipment to vulnerable countries. It also delivers epidemiological and operational updates and disseminates them to all nations.

Furthermore, the WHO is leading countries for COVID-19 containment and coordinating Solidarity Response Fund. As COVID-19 increasingly affects countries with under-resourced health infrastructure and services, the WHO will ensure that all people in all UN member states are able to access essential medicines especially potential vaccine.

Finally, COVID-19 is here for the long haul, and the UNANZ should strengthen New Zealand engagement to UN Health and Humanitarian agencies. It needs to encourage COVID-19 frameworks that mainly focus on the WHO recommendations, sustaining economies and global health security. Furthermore, COVID -19 fight requires international solidarity. Covid-19  is a global challenge that demands researchers, policymakers, and governments to address multiple dimensions that go far beyond the implications of this pandemic for health and wellbeing.    If the virus is allowed to move unchecked in some nations or regions, it will eventually resurge in others.

Click on the red colour link to view current Covid -19 live tracker around the world: cases , active and recovered people
Click on red colour link to see classfication -COVID-19  pandemic levels on emergency response
Click on th e red colour link to check WHO classification/ emergency response levels  World Health Organisation statistics
Click for red colour link to check COVID-19 live in Africa - case tracking in Africa

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Coronavirus disease COVID-19, 2019-nCov or 2019 Novel Coronavirus
 
by Jean-Paul Bizoza
Special officer on Humanitraina Affairs/ United Nations Association of New Zealand
 
 
On the 31st December 2019, Chinese officials in Wuhan reported a virus, which causes a respiratory illness (like the flu). The virus was identified as COVID-19 also known under the acronym of 2019-nCov or 2019 Novel Coronavirus. COVID-19 causes breathing infection just as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (EMC/2012) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS coronavirus, SARS-CoV). The World Health Organisation reports that COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. Its symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, tiredness and dry cough.  Likewise, early data suggests that COVID-19 causes more harm to older and disabled people than any cohort population. Since the outbreak, Europe particularly Italy and Spain have been an epicenter of the pandemic with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China. 
 
However, questions have been raised as how developing countries around the world especially in Africa will cope with the pandemic -given that the primary cause of death in some nations remains communicable – infectious – diseases, which can be prevented.  In the light of this concern, WHO has been working with developing countries to increase the capacity of national laboratories to detect COVID-19 by supplying reagents, essential personal protective equipment, testing equipment and training for staff. 
 
The World Health Organisation has also initiated a robust plan action, which consists of 8 pillars known as Preparedness and Emergency Response Plans. The pillars are indicated in various phases, and they include education about COVID-19, early detection, trace contact, quarantine/ isolation and appropriate care for affected for the virus. Furthermore, WHO recommends individuals to adhere to hygienic measures including (a) clean hands regularly with an alcohol-based rub or soap and water, (b) cover one’s mouth and nose with elbow when coughing or sneezing, (c) stay home when one is unwell (d) avoid unnecessary travel/ large social gatherings and finally (e) comply with advice from local or national health authority. It’s noted that countries have taken various approach in terms of levels, emergency response a and the fight against the virus .
 
How is the world copying with COVID-19: case of New Zealand
Like other Asian countries like Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, on 30 January 2020, the New Zealand Director-General declared that first COVID-19 cases were initiating a Public Health Emergency. On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In response to the pandemic, the Director-General of Health based in Wellington, Dr Ashley Bloomfield noted its National Health Emergency Plan (NHEP) .The initial plan namely level 1"keep it out was since initiated. While the strategy was commended, on 14 March 2020, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced additional travel restrictions to overseas arrivals for  self-isolation 14 days , she placed a ban on cruise ships entering New Zealand waters and eventually on 23/03/2020, it raised at label, maximum grade on Maximum emergency on COVID-19. The level four alert system specifies public health and social measures to be taken against COVID-19. i.e locking down everything excepts essential services, pending a review.
 
Where do the World Health Organization and United Nations stand on COVID-19?
The World Health Organization, which leads global health responses within the United Nations, reports that COVID-19 is an alarming pandemic as the number of confirmed cases worldwide are more 10 times higher than people who were infected by MERS and SARS. Not only Covid-19 is transmitted more rapidly between humans than SARS, it has high mortality, with 3.5% of all cases reported (WHO reports). i.e. COVID-19 mortality figure is higher than previous estimates and far above the seasonal flu's fatality rate, which stands at less than 1 percent.
 
Since the pandemic announcement, COVID-19 has captured the world’s media attention. As a part strategic response, the World Health Organization along with United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, launched the COVID-19 Solidarity Response, with the intention to raise funds that will be used to coordinate the emergency response and cover cost related to sources particularly masks, gloves, gowns and goggles for health workers and diagnostic tests. In addition, the World Health Organization aims to improve surveillance and invest in research. Furthermore, it has tirelessly mobilized members states to ensure their preparedness phase and emergency response based on local context and risk assessment of each nation.
 
While some efforts have been initiated, WHO Director-General recognizes no country can thrive or solve all its challenges in isolation. This was echoed by the Chinese president who stated that “mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges.” Therefore, COVI-19 can no longer be resolved by any individual country.  This reinforced the United Nations core mission that urges governments not only to collaborate, but to also share tips and resources to contain the disease. So far, WHO has already initiated a number of projects that could help to overcome the pandemic. 
 
 
Further the World Health Organization initiated :
• Appeal of US$675 million to help protect states with weaker health systems as part of its Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.
 
• US$15 millions release from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help vulnerable countries battle the spread of the coronavirus. This was announced by Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock. 
 
• World Bank committed $12bn (£9.4bn) in aid for developing countries grappling with the spread of the coronavirus. The emergency package included low-cost loans, grants and technical assistance.  
 
• IMF made available $50 billion of this, $10 billion was approved at zero interest for the poorest members through the Rapid Credit Facility through its rapid-disbursing emergency financing facilities for low income and emerging market countries that could potentially seek support.
 
• China government that suffered the pandemic offered team of Experts and essential coronavirus supplies to Italy and Spain. The donation will be facilitated by the Red Cross Society of China and will directly make difference for the COVID-19 victims in various parts in Italy.
 
What are the most challenges on the COVID-19 fight  
Since COVID-19 Pandemic cases in China, in December 2019, there have been a number of reports related to racism and Xenophobia against Chinese people, South/East Asian descent and appearance around the world. As the result of this, WHO reinforced its message of solidarity and advised all countries to consider to “strike a fine balance between protecting health, minimizing economic and social disruption, and respecting human rights”. Likewise, Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General also has noted “the greatest enemy right now is not the virus itself. It’s fear, rumors and stigma. He reiterates that the greatest assets are still facts, reason and solidarity”. 
Similarly, World Health Organization's Emergency Committee issued a statement on 30 January 2020, advising all countries to be mindful of the "principles of Article 3 of the IHR (the International Health Regulations)," which gives a caution against "actions that promote stigma or discrimination," when conducting national response measures to the outbreak.
 
How does New Zealand comply/adhere to WHO guidelines?
• The Ministry of Health adheres to case definition for COVID-19 based on epidemiology of the virus as well as its clinical presentation under the WHO guidelines.  
• Like the neighbor Australia, New Zealand has closely monitored COVID-19 around the clock, and it recognizes the negative impact that pandemic has caused on world economy. Therefore, the Ministry of Health advice is under active review and is updated regularly.
• New Zealand has raided its full emergency response level as a means to fight aggressively the COVID19.
 
Recap: 
One of the United Nations missions is to improve the lives of poor people, humanitarian /emergency response on disease and promote cooperation among nations. That has to be a starting point for the fight against novel coronavirus 19 pandemic. It is also crucial to reflect on the World Health Organization Director-General’s call “no country can thrive or solve all its challenges in isolation”. In the light on that, we must agree that mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges.
 
As accentuated above, nations must work together as COVID-19 can no longer be resolved by any individual country. E.g. Singapore, Taiwan or Hong Kong and all nations who managed to revert the tide learnt and shared strategic plans. Again, this reinforces the United Nations fundamental mission “collaboration”. New Zealand fully adheres to the World Health Organization recommendations that require all Nations to act quickly, educate general public about COVID-19 /social distancing, trace contact and quarantine infected cases and appropriate care for patients in critical conditions (Both evidence and research-based solutions on COVID 19).
 
Furthermore, New Zealand aims to aggressively start an extensive testing. The country is well aware that  it’ll be hard to fight a disease if one does not know where it is located. Remember 80 per cent of those infected may have only mild or moderate symptoms.  New Zealand has decided to got alone first and hard on COVID-19. How/ what  does your government plan to fight the virus ? 
 
Click on the red colour link to view current Covid -19 live tracker around the world: cases , active and recovered people
Click on red colour link to see classfication -COVID-19  pandemic levels on emergency response
Click on th e red colour link to check WHO classification/ emergency response levels  World Health Organisation statistics
Click for red colour link to check COVID-19 live in Africa - case tracking in Africa

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What can world learn from New Zealand / COVID-19

2019-nCov initially started in Wuhan, China at a seafood market. But, the real origin of the virus is still mysterious (heaps of conspiracy theories are still flushing globally). Hundreds of thousands affected, dead, dying, critically ill although many recovered. Most death in the over 70 group or those with underlying health issue. Health Researchers noted that people who are infected with the virus may be asymptomatic or develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath. As of today, 1 May 2020, New Zealand has moved to stage 3 lockdown for 14 days, with global caes encompass 4000 000 expected May 2020.

Government has closed the border to everyone but returning New Zealand nationals/residents and makes it mandatory to self-isolate for 14 days for anyone enters the country. Those without an isolation plan are put into lockdown in hotels with an arranged payment (win-win). Panic buying set in during stage 2, 3 and at the start of stage 4 people had no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel, no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer, no flour or yeast.  Self-distancing measures mean we must each stay in our "bubbles" consisting in households/people living together. on Wednesday 26th March people were given 48 hours’ notice.

Over 70's and those with underlying health issues or weakened immune systems told to self-isolate for the duration of the lockdown where possible. Till, tape on the floors at food supermarkets to help distance shoppers 2m (6ft) from each other. Limited number of people inside stores, therefore lineups outside the store doors. Non-essential stores and businesses, trades closed. Supermarkets, pharmacies, dairies only shops allowed to open. Drs and Vets open but must phone ahead, many consultations via phone/skype etc Those who are lucky enough to have a job that is able to be done from home without the need to have physical contact are able to continue to work.

  • Children's playgrounds, bush trails, water activities, visits to the beach, swimming pools, gyms are off limits.
  • Entire sports seasons cancelled.
  • Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.
  • Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.
  • Funerals limited to only those within the deceased's bubble. No religious services, churches, mosques, temples are closed. Schools/daycare/uni's are all closed. No gatherings permitted. Not allowed to physically able to socialize with anyone outside of your bubble.
  • When we are at supermarkets, we are to maintain a distance from each other minimum of 2m.
  • Allowed outside for walks/cycling but must stay within their neighborhood and observe the 2m rule.

Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers were somehow obvious. Around the World there is a shortage of respirators, hospitals, nursing staff and Dr's- chaos! Wuhan, Italy, Spain, Iran, UK and USA are the worst hit so far with over 1500 000 infected Worldwide, over 83000 deaths with the youngest victim 6 weeks old. The figures from around the World show a @10% mortality rate. China claimed only 3% mortality rate which is suspected to be incorrect possibly because many died before anyone knew what it was Covid-19.

In New Zealand over 1400 infected and a very small numbers of deaths,1 majority recovered. Back to the rule above, bubbles nominate someone as their designated shopper…Supermarkets limit purchase of certain items to 2 per customer. Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses around the World switching their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE. uhh, phone and email addresses are set up for the public to report anyone breaking isolation rules, not paying workers their government subsidized wage or for those price-gauging others.

Press conferences daily from the Prime Minister, similar like a president or head of state are provided. The future seems uncertain and one can notice daily life change: 

  • Barely anyone in the street or on the roads.
  • People wearing masks and gloves outside.
  • Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.
  • Medical workers are afraid to go home to their families.

What's the future of COVID-19? Three scenarios are possible:

Scenario 1: The first wave of Covid-19 in spring 2020 is followed by a series of repetitive smaller waves that occur through the summer and then consistently over a one- to two-year period, gradually diminishing sometime in 2021

Scenario 2: The first wave of Covid-19 is followed by a larger wave in the fall or winter and one or more smaller waves in 2021."This pattern will require the reinstitution of mitigation measures in the fall in an attempt to drive down spread of infection and prevent healthcare systems from being overwhelmed. This pattern is similar to what was seen with the 1918-19 pandemic."

Scenario 3: A"slow burn" of ongoing transmission. "This third scenario likely would not require the reinstitution of mitigation measures, although cases and deaths will continue to occur." So, let's hope that your country overcome COVID-19.  Remember to be thankful and do not take the things we dearly love for granted.

Let's know the scanario that applies  to your country, leave us comments?

 

Click on the red colour link to view current Covid -19 live tracker around the world: cases , active and recovered people
Click on red colour link to see classfication -COVID-19  pandemic levels on emergency response
Click on th e red colour link to check WHO classification/ emergency response levels  World Health Organisation statistics
Click for red colour link to check COVID-19 live in Africa - case tracking in Africa

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Refugee policy issues in New Zealand. 

SO Humanitarian Affairs report by Jean-Paul Bizoza - UNA NZ National Council Meeting November 2019

Current refugees and Asylum seekers’ situation in New Zealand 2019. New Zealand is one of 37 countries that resettle refugees under a regular quota program, which was established in 1987 in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR).
 
The refugee quota program is generally decided by the New Zealand Government in three-year cycles in collaboration with Minister for Immigration and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Currently, 1000 refugees are annually resettled in various regions along with 150 asylum seekers who are approved after a refugee status determination process.
 
Both quota and convention refugees generally share similar challenges. They have fear of harm or persecution in their home countries, cross international borders in search of protection and seek a brighter future. While New Zealand continues to assist UNHCR to deal with humanitarian crises around the world, former refugees and stakeholders share concerns about the intake refugee selection and resettlement policies.
Concerns around family link policy 2009
 
Although New Zealand provides resettlement and protection to the most vulnerable refugees, there have been red flags about the government approach composition and resettlement preferences. Some refugee’s advocates argue that there is possible discrimination in the selection process.
 
When the National government introduced a family link policy for Africa and Middle East intakes in 2009, refugees from these regions were required to have an existing link to New Zealand in order for them to be eligible for resettlement. In addition, it is noted that the
government aimed to bring so-called “refugees who have potential to resettle well in New Zealand”. The policies were criticized by UNHCR, former refugees and stakeholders.
 
Why is the “family link requirement” a discriminatory policy?
 
The number of people who flee conflict in Africa and the Middle East has increased in recent years. New Zealand refugee quota resettlement policies have not reflected on global realities and refugee’s resettlement policy as required the UN refugee agency. For example, in 2017/18, only 1.2 per cent of refugee quota came from the Middle East and 5.3 per cent from Africa, while Africa and the Middle East have the most complex and challenging humanitarian situations worldwide, with 31% and 13% global refugees respectively.
 
Therefore, restrictions imposed on refugees from Africa and the Middle East particularly family link and resettlement success requirements are unjust. Because they create barriers for most people from these two regions to be included in the refugee quota and they are against UNHCR guidelines that recommend governments uphold international obligations, resettle and integrate refugees based on the humanitarian needs not potential successful integration.
 
Refugee quota versus refugee convention discrepancies in New Zealand.
  
There are concerns that refugees are treated unfairly in New Zealand both in process and assistance in the mainstream. For instance, Asylum seeker’s protection status is determined by immigration New Zealand after a rigorous process, which does not always adhere to the 1951 UN refugee conventions.
 
Despite both refugee categories being recognized as New Zealand residents visa, “only people with Quota refugee status receive accommodation, employment and education for the first 12 months of their life in New Zealand.”Furthermore, convention refugees are denied similar support. They struggle to adjust in the mainstream and it is reported that the current Labour government has imposed additional restrictions. Including, Immigration New Zealand requiring police certificates from applicants country of citizenship (the country they are trying to escape persecution in) and any other country they have spent 5 years in, as well as a medical check.
 
In the light of this, refugee advocacy groups believe that the restriction will significantly affect rights to work or legally get involved in any activities that generate income. Unless it is well checked, the police certificate requirements could be a breach of UN refugee inventions and Human rights as it could be unfair even impossible to get police reports from the country, they fled persecution.
 
 
What UNA NZ should do?
 
UNA NZ should collaborate with other stakeholders in order to encourage New Zealand to Government to fully support UNHCR process especially refugee’s intake is referred to Immigration. National Council needs to approve a resolution to support the new approach, which has been recently (August 2019) approved by the current government. The approach includes the following steps:
 
● Remove racist refugee policy, increase quotas from Africa and Middle East.
 
● Government nudging the refugee allocation from Africa and the Middle East up from 14 to 15 per cent.
 
● Refugee Resettlement Strategy be extended to people who have been granted legal status as Convention refugees.
 
● Increase to the overall quota, from 1000 to 1500 a year.
 
● Adjust Half of the refugees NZ takes will be from the Asia-Pacific region with a spot set aside for large-scale refugee crises will double, to 200 in 2020.
 
● To set up a community sponsorship trial, an initiative to complement Refugee Quota Program.
 
On national level, UNA NZ needs to educate the public that New Zealand has signed an international convention that supports the right of people to seek asylum. New Zealand is also a signatory to:
 
● 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
● 1984 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
● 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
  1. UN Global Compact for migration, NZL
  2. Why multilateralism matters?
  3. Broadcast / media
  4. What's on?