22. In support of national arrangements, host countries would be able to seek the activation of a Support Platform.11
23. The Support Platform would enable context-specific support for refugees and concerned host countries and communities. In a spirit of partnership and in line with host country ownership and leadership, its functions would include: • galvanizing political commitment and advocacy for prevention, protection, response and solutions; • mobilizing financial, material and technical assistance, as well as resettlement and complementary pathways for admission to third countries, in support of the comprehensive plan (para 21), where applicable, drawing on Global Refugee Forum pledges; • facilitating coherent humanitarian and development responses, including through the early and sustained engagement of development actors in support of host communities and refugees; and • supporting comprehensive policy initiatives to ease pressure on host countries, build resilience and self-reliance, and find solutions.
24. Upon the request of concerned host countries or countries of origin, where appropriate, a Support Platform could be activated/deactivated and assisted by UNHCR, in close consultation with relevant States that have committed to contributing in principle, taking into account existing response efforts and political, peacekeeping and peacebuilding initiatives. Criteria for activation would include: • a large-scale and/or complex refugee situation where the response capacity of a host State is or is expected to be overwhelmed; or • a protracted refugee situation where the host State(s) requires considerable additional support, and/or a major opportunity for a solution arises (e.g. large-scale voluntary repatriation to the country of origin).
25. Each Support Platform would benefit from the leadership and engagement of a group of States to mobilize contributions and support, which may take different forms (para 23). The composition of this group would be specific to the context. Other relevant stakeholders would be invited to engage as appropriate.
26. Support Platforms would not be fixed bodies or undertake operational activities. They would draw on pre-announced expressions of interest (including at the Global Refugee Forum) and standby arrangements. They would complement and interact with existing coordination mechanisms for humanitarian and development cooperation. In consultation with participating States, UNHCR would ensure regular reporting on the work of the Support Platforms to its Executive Committee, the United Nations General Assembly and the Global Refugee Forums, including to facilitate exchange of information, practices and experiences between different platforms.
27. The strategy for support by a Platform could draw on a wide range of options. It could initiate a solidarity conference to generate support for the comprehensive plan, where this would add value and not duplicate other processes, bearing in mind the call for humanitarian assistance to be flexible, multi-year and unearmarked in line with para 32 below. A solidarity conference would be situation-specific, providing a strategic vehicle to garner broad-based support for host States or countries of origin, encompassing States, development actors, civil society, local communities and the private sector, and seeking financial, material and technical contributions, as well as resettlement and complementary pathways for admission.
