ReDSS Ethiopia bi-monthly update May 2020

Dear colleagues,

Greetings from the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) Ethiopia Unit.

We hope that you and your families are keeping safe during this time. In this bi-monthly update, you will find updates on the ReDSS research synthesis paper webinar, ReDSS briefing to the Refugee Donor Group, regional updates, some useful information on COVID-19 and other resources published over the last few months.

ReDSS Ethiopia webinar on research synthesis report and relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic, March 27^th : ReDSS held a webinar on the findings of the synthesis paper (shared last month), and the relevance of key issues in the context of COVID-19 crisis, and possible ways forward. More than 40 participants joined and contributed to a very fruitful discussion and ReDSS Ethiopia would like to thank all stakeholders for their engagement. Please click here for the agenda, presentation, and other materials from the webinar, and for any inquiry on the synthesis paper or ReDSS’ research plans in 2020, please contact Solomon Hassen: s.hassen@regionaldss.org.

Development of Area-based training curriculum: Following the development of an area-based training package which was piloted with key stakeholders in Jigjiga in March 2020, ReDSS developed a training guide and curriculum for this training, which can be adapted and used in various contexts. Please click here for the training curriculum, and for more information on ReDSS continued capacity development plans in Somali Regional State, contact Amin Yusuf at a.yusuf@regionaldss.org.

Introduction of ReDSS Ethiopia IDP Solutions Coordinator: ReDSS Ethiopia is pleased to welcome Anna Geller to the team, who joined in April as ReDSS Solutions Coordinator. Anna specifically focuses on the IDP durable solutions agenda in Ethiopia, while supporting ReDSS members' coordination at regional levels and with other durable solutions initiatives in other countries. Anna has already been in contact with most of you, but please do not hesitate to reach out to her directly: a.geller@regionaldss.org.

ReDSS Ethiopia COVID-19 policy brief: To leave no one behind and mitigate impacts for displacement-affected communities: ReDSS has developed and shared with its members and a wide range of stakeholders a set of key messages related to the long-term impact of COVID-19 on displacement affected communities in Ethiopia. They may be used to inform and adapt responses and support strategic engagement including in coordination forums and with key stakeholders. These key messages have been developed specifically for the Ethiopia context, and is complemented by the broader ReDSS regional key messages. Please click here for the Ethiopia policy brief.

Refugee Donor Group briefing and presentation on long-term impact of COVID-19 on the CRRF agenda in Ethiopia: ReDSS facilitated a discussion through the Refugee Donor Group looking at implications for the longer-term CRRF/post-GRF/GCR agenda in light of the impact of COVID-19. Key messages include: (1) importance of working through existing coordination structures and support to locally led approaches; (2) need to maintain a dual focus on both emergency response to COVID-19 and linkage with longer-term planning for protracted displacement issues; (3) rights and protection concerns of displacement-affected communities and need to ensure continued access to basic services and protection. Please find link here to the presentation shared and for any inquiry on this, please contact Jason Bell at j.bell@regionaldss.org.

Upcoming webinars and online meetings

ReDSS Ethiopia will host a webinar on Integrated programming for COVID-19 response as part of long-term focus in Ethiopia. The webinar will look into on how to bring COVID-19 response into long-term programming - learning from partners’ programme adaptation, good practices and existing tools to use/ replicate. The webinar will seek to learn from early solutions and resilience, key risks and how to manage them, and how to maintain a dual focus on emergency response will contributing to long-term planning and processes to sustainably address displacement. The agenda and date of the webinar will be shared shortly.

IPSS Virtual Policy Dialogues | Local Governments and the Sustainable Integration of Refugees in Ethiopia | 9 June 2020 from 10am-12pm EAT. Click here to register.

Concern Worldwide webinar on COVID-19 and Conflict | Containing a pandemic in fragile and conflict-affected states: the importance of peace | 9 June at 2pm EST. Click here to register.

Oxford University Refugee Studies Centre and Global Refugee Led Network | Limited room to maneuver: Refugee-led responses in camp settings | 10 June from 5-6:30pm GMT. Click here to register.

Oxford University Refugee Studies Centre and Global Refugee Led Network | Affecting change from within: Refugees in international humanitarian organisations | 17 June from 5-6:30pm GMT. Click here to register.

COVID-19 Related Resources

Other Resources