World Refugee Day 2024: Celebrating Resilience and Solidarity with Refugees in Ethiopia 

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On June 20, 2024, Addis Ababa’s Hilton Hotel hosted a significant event commemorating World Refugee Day. This gathering, jointly convened by Refugee and Returnee Service (RRS), UNHCR, Addis Ababa University, the Netherlands Embassy, ReDSS, Jesuit Refugee Service, Inkomoko, and Agora Consulting, brought together key stakeholders to celebrate the resilience of urban refugees and address the challenges they face in Ethiopia.

Celebrating Refugee Voices and Culture

The event showcased the vibrant cultures and talents of urban refugees living in Addis Ababa through a diverse array of artistic expressions. The space featured art gallery displays exhibiting paintings, photographs, and sculptures created by refugee artists, offering poignant visual narratives of displacement, resilience, and hope. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed musical performances spanning various genres and cultural traditions, as well as cultural shows highlighting the rich heritage of refugee communities. 

A powerful keynote speech delivered by a refugee representative emphasized the critical importance of amplifying refugee voices in discussions and decision-making processes that directly affect their lives. This celebration of refugee culture and achievements served as a poignant reminder of the rich diversity and potential within refugee communities, challenging common narratives that often portray refugees solely as recipients of aid. 

Unveiling the Realities: UNHCR's Socio-Economic Report

UNHCR presented a sobering report on the socio-economic situation of refugees in Ethiopia, revealing stark realities about poverty levels and limited access to basic services. The study highlighted significant disparities between urban and camp-based refugee populations and drew attention to the particular challenges faced by vulnerable groups. The report emphasized the potential economic contributions refugees could make if given the opportunity, suggesting that addressing these socio-economic challenges could benefit both refugee and host communities alike.

Panel Discussion: Pathways to Integration and Economic Inclusion

A panel discussion featuring refugee representatives, RRS, UNHCR, and Inkomoko explored policy and practice for improving refugee support and integration, with a particular emphasis on livelihood and economic inclusion. Panellists discussed innovative approaches to skills training, microfinance initiatives, and private sector partnerships that have shown promise in enhancing refugee self-reliance. The discussion drew on concrete examples from various regions in Ethiopia, showcasing successful pilot projects and their potential for scaling up. The panel emphasized the importance of involving refugees themselves in the design and implementation of economic inclusion programs. 

Progress and Persistent Challenges

While the event acknowledged significant hardships faced by urban refugees in Ethiopia, it also recognized their exceptional resilience and the potential for positive change. Participants noted progress in areas such as documentation through the national ID project, resettlement efforts, and livelihood interventions. However, the discussion also revealed persistent barriers, including issues related to Refugee Status Determination (RSD), movement restrictions, and work permit challenges. Speakers shared concrete examples of successful interventions that have overcome some of these barriers, offering valuable lessons for future initiatives. 

A Call for Coordinated Action

The event underscored the critical need for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response to address the complex challenges faced by refugees in Ethiopia. Participants emphasized that piecemeal solutions are insufficient to tackle the multifaceted obstacles hindering refugee integration and self-reliance. Instead, they called for a comprehensive approach that addresses legal, social, and economic barriers simultaneously. 

Central to this coordinated response is the harmonization of laws relevant to refugees, ensuring inclusive access to basic services, easing mobility restrictions, expanding out-of-camp policies, and reducing restrictions on investment and employment. This comprehensive call to action emphasizes the need for a whole-of-society approach, recognizing that effective solutions require the involvement and coordination of multiple actors, including government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector. 

Promising Developments

A particularly promising development highlighted during the event was the draft directive on work and self-employment mentioned by RRS. This directive, currently open for public comment, could potentially mark a significant breakthrough in livelihood and economic inclusion for refugees in Ethiopia. If approved, it could pave the way for increased formal employment opportunities and entrepreneurship among refugee communities. The event also showcased plans for expanding Inkomoko’s interventions in Ethiopia, aiming to reach more refugees across the country and improve outcomes through enhanced coordination with governmental and non-governmental actors. 

ReDSS's Role and Future Directions

As part of its ongoing efforts to advocate for improved living conditions for urban refugees in Addis Ababa, ReDSS played a crucial role in organizing this event. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, ReDSS successfully facilitated discussions on durable solutions for refugees, with a particular focus on urban populations. This World Refugee Day event served as a platform for strengthening networks between refugee representatives, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations. 

This World Refugee Day event served as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by displaced populations in Ethiopia, while also celebrating their resilience and potential. As the global community continues to grapple with forced displacement, events like this provide valuable insights and foster collaboration among key actors. Moving forward, sustained commitment, increased cooperation, and a willingness to elevate refugee voices will be essential in shaping effective and lasting solutions for refugees in Ethiopia and beyond. 

About the author
Picture of Mehreteab Gebregergs

Mehreteab Gebregergs

Mehreteab currently leads ReDSS's work in Ethiopia as the Country Manager. He brings a wealth of experience in human rights, legal protection, and academia to his role. Prior to joining ReDSS, Mehreteab championed the rights of refugees, IDPs, and migrants at the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Danish Refugee Council. He also served as a law lecturer, fostering future generations of legal professionals.
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