Advancing Localized Solutions: CSOs and Stakeholders Convene on Displacement in Ethiopia’s Somali Region 

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On June 25, 2024, the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) convened a significant consultation in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Somali regional state government. This event focused on the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in addressing forced displacement in the Somali region. ReDSS organized this consultation to explore localized approaches to one of the region’s most pressing challenges, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss and develop strategies for durable solutions.

The Importance of Local Expertise

The consultation emphasized the crucial role of CSOs in developing effective, sustainable solutions for displaced populations. These organizations, with their intimate knowledge of local contexts, are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between international aid efforts and the specific needs of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In the Somali region, CSOs are actively engaged in various sectors, including humanitarian aid delivery, peacebuilding initiatives, human rights advocacy, community capacity building, and coordination with government agencies. The work of these CSOs underscores the potential for locally driven approaches to create more responsive and culturally appropriate interventions in displacement contexts. This was underscored by Mr. Kalil Ibrahim Abdi (photo below in a blue jacket), the External Resource Mobilization Director at the Bureau of Finance, who encouraged CSOs to be key partners in the localization agenda and work with international stakeholders on the Solutions Pathways in the region. 

Challenges and Opportunities

The consultation addressed significant challenges faced by CSOs in their work within the Somali region. Participants highlighted key obstacles including bureaucratic complexities, funding constraints, security concerns, and coordination challenges among various stakeholders. These issues often impede timely responses, limit program scope, restrict access to volatile areas, and lead to potential duplication of efforts or service gaps.

Despite these difficulties, the consultation reaffirmed the substantial potential for positive impact that CSOs possess. Their unique position within communities allows them to leverage local knowledge and established networks effectively, enabling them to identify nuanced needs and foster trust. The discussion emphasized that by engaging CSOs more fully in the process of developing and implementing durable solutions, stakeholders can create more effective, culturally appropriate, and sustainable interventions for displaced populations in the Somali region.

Towards a Collaborative Approach

A key outcome of the consultation was the recognition that effective solutions require a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach. This involves collaboration between government agencies, international NGOs, UN organizations, donors, private sector entities, academic institutions, and displacement-affected communities. The participants emphasized the importance of integrating diverse perspectives and resources to address the complex challenges of forced displacement. 

Moving forward, CSOs committed to increasing their participation in key platforms such as the Durable Solutions Working Group (DSWG) and the CRRF coordination platform. This enhanced engagement aims to bring localized perspectives to the forefront of decision-making processes, ensuring that solutions are grounded in local realities and responsive to the specific needs of displaced populations in the Somali region. 

The Significance of Localization and Next Steps after the Workshop

The consultation underscored the significance of localization in addressing global displacement. Participants recognized that the shift towards localized solutions is not merely a trend but a necessary evolution in humanitarian response. Traditional top-down approaches have shown limitations in addressing the complex, context-specific challenges faced by displaced populations. By empowering local actors, the potential for more nuanced and sustainable interventions increases, offering better-tailored solutions to the unique needs of each community. 

The event concluded with several actionable outcomes, including continued periodic consultations between CSOs, ReDSS, UNHCR, IOM, and NRC, increased CSO participation in durable solutions platforms, expanded engagement of CSOs in development and human rights sectors, and strengthening of CSOs’ role as key stakeholders in localized durable solutions. This consultation marks an important step in ReDSS’s ongoing efforts to achieve durable solutions through a whole-of-society approach, fostering collaboration between local and international actors to create more effective, sustainable responses to forced displacement in the Somali region. As the global community continues to grapple with displacement challenges, the insights from this consultation offer valuable lessons for other regions facing similar issues. 

About the author
Picture of Guled Ali

Guled Ali

Guled is the ReDSS Durable Solutions Specialist based in Jigjiga, Somali Region of Ethiopia. He is a seasoned Forced Displacement and Durable Solutions Specialist with over 9 years of experience. He leverages his expertise in protection and humanitarian crises to champion sustainable solutions for displaced populations across East Africa and Great Lakes. Guled's in-depth understanding of displacement complexities, honed through field experience, allows him to effectively support programs that address the needs of affected communities.
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