Area-Based Durable Solutions Training for Somali Regional State Officials

In response to recurring displacement challenges in Ethiopia, the Somali Regional State Government partnered with the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) to deliver a two-day training on durable solutions in Dire Dawa in August 2025. Twenty officials from key bureaus participated, including Disaster Risk Management, Health, Education, and Finance. The training, grounded in national and international frameworks, used participatory methods—technical presentations, case studies, and peer exchanges—to build capacity in designing and implementing durable solutions.
Six modules covered principles such as voluntariness, safety, dignity, and non-discrimination, alongside area-based planning, multi-sectoral coordination, housing, land and property rights, and monitoring. Pre- and post-training assessments revealed significant knowledge gains: average scores rose from 37.7% to 70.8%, with all participants improving and 77% scoring 70% or higher post-training. Those with the lowest baseline knowledge showed the greatest improvement, demonstrating the training’s inclusivity and effectiveness.
The initiative fostered institutional ownership and encouraged integration of durable solutions into sectoral plans. While the training showed strong immediate results, limitations include the lack of a control group and the need for follow-up to assess long-term impact. Future progress will be tracked through indicators such as policy integration and inter-sectoral coordination.
Overall, the training marked a shift from aid dependency to government-led, development-oriented programming. It strengthened the foundation for sustainable partnerships, resilience, and social cohesion, advancing Ethiopia’s localization agenda and enabling displacement-affected communities to rebuild their lives with dignity and equality.