Module 10-13 Flashcards
(41 cards)
Define non-refoulement
you can’t be sent back to your country if you’re fleeing and this can’t be breached under any circumstances
Define cessation
you can be sent back to your home if the situation changes and it’s safe to return
How is the WHO funded?
Member states and voluntary contributions
Under the IHR, what is the responsibility of national governments in the event of a disease outbreak?
In the event of an outbreak national governments are required to report the outbreak in 24 hours of notice
How and why did the WHO reform after the Ebola crisis?
It took 5 months to declare a global emergency and no organization was in charge. WHO made a responding team since then. Gates thinks we should include the military in order to act fast
Explain why there is criticism of the WHO during the current pandemic. How does this relate to the U.S. & China?
There was criticism because it took a month for WHO to declare a PHEIC and the public thinks this was due to influence from China, without cooperation from member governments, WHO cannot take action.
The Trump administration had a 60 day freeze on WHO funding because of that and poor countries need WHO support to manage COVID and other diseases, but without the funding it’s difficult.
What was the position of the Trump administration on the WHO? How has the Biden administration changed this?
Trump withdrew from the WHO as he did not find the organization competent while Biden rented coalitions
How do disease outbreaks relate to state capacity in the developing world?
Disease outbreaks are significantly more difficult to manage in developing countries as they have a lower state capacity
Define refugee
a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster
According to global international law, would the following situations qualify for refugee status: civil war, economic disaster, natural disaster?
Civil war is recognized in refugee convention and by OAU/Cartagena & sometimes by the host nation. Economic disaster and natural disasters are unrecognized by international law
What is the UNHCR? How has the refugee problem changed since the creation of UNHCR?
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) facilitates resettlement, relocation of refugees from asylum countries to a third country, rights are similar to to citizens and in some cases this will lead to eventual citizenship. In 2016, UNHCR resettled less than 1% of 17.2 million “refugees of concern to UNHCR.” States are now not required to accept refugees for resettlement, 37 states do accept resettlement
Where do most refugees live and how does that make solving the problem harder?
85% percent live in the developed world and mostly near conflict zones. It is difficult for them to find safety and adequate shelter.
What is resettlement of refugees? How effective is this approach and what are the barriers to it?
The transfer of refugees from an asylum country to another state that has agreed to admit them and ultimately grant them permanent residence. Resettlement can be quite ineffective, there is no enforcement to accept refugees into third country, the resettlement rate is 1%, most are stuck in camps
What is repatriation of refugees? What are the barriers to this approach?
The return home, or country of origin. This is unlikely to work because of ongoing conflict.
What is local integration of refugees? Note that this is different from resettlement. What is the feasibility of this approach and where has it been tried? How can this help the condition of refugees in camps?
Local integration means to remain in the host country. Host countries are poor with high unemployment leading them to being exploited, leading to resentment against refugees, some shift in cultural/political balance
How does the problem of refugees relate to the developing world?
More crowded conditions which can cause more diseases. Movement of people was often in breach of domestic immigration legislation, visas are required before people legally migrate to another state
What is the Global Compact for Refugees?
Predicted by the UN to change the way the world looks at migration, 23 objectives but is not legally binding
What position did the Trump Administration take on the Global Compact?
The US is currently not a part of it since the Trump administration pulled out → refusal to collaborate/work with other countries
Discuss what happened in 1918 and its significance.
The influenza epidemic which killed millions of people, one of the first lockdowns
Explain what the WHO is, what it can and cannot do in the event of a disease outbreak?
WHO is the World Health Organization and it is the only comprehensive organization dealing with health.
Countries have to report outbreaks under IHR; PHEIC → allows them to declare certain diseases as public health emergencies of international concern, declared by WHO; however they have no power to enforce/make countries do anything; therefore they rely on national gov’ts to implement international health regulations instead.
What is a PHEIC?
Public health emergency of international concern → allows governments to declare certain diseases emergencies and use their resources
What potential reforms could be used to strengthen the global response to pandemics?
Strong sanctions, narrow mandate, increase united funding, open governance, broad technical expertise, cooperation from member governments
What is the difference between mitigation and adaptation?
Mitigation: reducing the severity of something (ex: preventing climate change, banning or reducing, efforts centers on different ways to reduce GHG emissions)
Adaptation: a changer or process where you become better adapted in the environment, learning to deal with it, harder for poor countries, efforts seek to improve the ability of human societies and local communities to adjust to a changing climate
Which countries were responsible for most emissions up to 2011? What about in 2013? Which will be responsible for most in the future (developing or developed countries)?
The top three greenhouse gas emitters - China, the European Union & the United States contribute to more than half of total global emissions, while the bottom 100 countries only account for 3.5%. Developed countries will be more responsible for emissions in the future since their economies are growing, and it’s harder for them to reduce future emissions because these countries need to grow and they need power so fossil fuels will be harder to give up and if they have to they will need help and money to do this.
