Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA)

The Challenges of Displacement

People affected by displacement often face the loss of their homes, livelihoods, and fundamental rights. They are frequently at risk of multiple displacements and may struggle to find sustainable solutions due to legal and institutional barriers. These challenges make access to information, legal assistance, and proper documentation critical in securing their rights and ensuring long-term stability.

Our Commitment to Legal Support and Protection

The Ireland Refugee Board (IRB) provides comprehensive Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced individuals. Our programs are designed to empower displaced people by equipping them with the knowledge and resources they need to claim their rights, access essential services, and integrate into society.

We work in alignment with international humanitarian protection standards and principles, ensuring that displaced individuals understand their legal rights and the responsibilities of duty bearers under national and international law. Our legal aid initiatives aim to prevent unlawful displacement and promote durable solutions for those at risk.

Our Expertise in ICLA

At IRB, we provide legal support and advocacy through multiple approaches, including:

Legal Information and Counselling – Helping displaced individuals understand their rights, legal procedures, and options for protection.
Direct Legal Assistance – Supporting individuals in obtaining legal documents such as identity papers, residency permits, and work authorizations.
Collaborative Dispute Resolution – Assisting communities in resolving conflicts related to land, housing, and property rights.
Capacity Building and Training – Strengthening local institutions, legal practitioners, and civil society groups to improve access to justice.
Public Interest Cases and Legal Advocacy – Pursuing strategic legal cases that can create systemic change and set important legal precedents.

Key Focus Areas

Our ICLA programs focus on the following six thematic areas to address the most pressing legal needs of displaced populations:

Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) Rights

Ensuring displaced individuals can access, reclaim, and protect their homes and land, reducing disputes and enhancing security of tenure.

Legal Identity and Civil Documentation

Assisting displaced individuals in obtaining critical documents such as birth certificates, national IDs, and refugee status papers, which are essential for accessing healthcare, education, and employment.

Refugee and Asylum Laws

Providing guidance on refugee status determination, asylum application procedures, and pathways to legal residency in host countries.

Government Registration and Legal Policies

Helping internally displaced persons (IDPs) register with authorities to access rights and social services.

Employment Laws and Labor Rights

Educating refugees and displaced persons about their rights in the workplace, ensuring fair treatment, legal work permits, and protection from exploitation.

Access to Essential Services

Providing legal support for displaced communities to secure access to healthcare, education, and social services, ensuring that legal barriers do not prevent them from receiving assistance.

ICLA in Action

At IRB, we implement on-the-ground legal assistance programs to support displaced communities. Here are a few examples of our work:

Ireland | Securing Identity for Refugees

Many asylum seekers and displaced individuals in Ireland face difficulties in obtaining legal identification, limiting their ability to access essential services. IRB’s mobile legal assistance teams work to facilitate the registration and documentation process, ensuring that displaced individuals receive legal recognition and protection.

Uganda | Resolving Land and Housing Disputes

In conflict-affected regions, displaced families often return to find their homes and lands occupied. Our legal teams mediate land disputes, advocate for property rights, and support community-led resolutions that prevent future conflicts.

Lebanon | Supporting Stateless Refugee Children

Children born to refugee families in host countries often struggle with statelessness, making it difficult to enroll in school, receive medical care, or access legal protections. IRB’s legal aid programs assist families in obtaining birth certificates and nationality documents, ensuring these children have a secure future.

A Call for Justice and Inclusion

At IRB, we believe in upholding the dignity and rights of all displaced individuals. Through legal empowerment, advocacy, and humanitarian assistance, we bridge the gap between displacement and stability, ensuring that every person forced to flee has access to justice, protection, and a future full of opportunities.

Would you like to partner with us, contribute to our legal aid programs, or learn more about our work? Get in touch with our team today.

📧 Contact IRB Legal Assistance Team

🌍 Visit our website: www.irb.org