Dear colleagues,
Greetings from the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS).
We hope that you and your families are keeping safe during this time. ReDSS is engaging with its members and partners to support adaption of programmes and is currently reviewing the work plan and priorities to include COVID-19 response. All meetings and learning events over the next few months will take place online, and we also reaching out to members and partners to coordinate how we can support. Feel free to contact us in case of any specific requests you may have during this time.
In this bi-monthly update, you will find updates on our new research synthesis paper, our area-based pilot training, policy workshop, some useful information on COVID-19 and other useful resources published over the last few months.
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Towards a common research agenda- A research synthesis paper to inform the implementation of the Global Refugee Compact: This synthesis paper aims at informing the development of a common narrative among the key refugee stakeholders in Ethiopia on how best to support displacement and durable solutions processes, informed by evidence drawn from existing literature. It was conducted in partnership with the Rift Valley Institute and guided by a technical advisory group that included ARRA, UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Bank, the British Government, the European Union, DRC, ACF and SOAS. ReDSS would also like to thank Alemu Asfaw Nigusie and Freddie Carver who were the main researchers on the study. Click here for the full report and here for the executive summary. ReDSS Ethiopia will be focused on the dissemination and uptake of this key research over the next few months to support a common agenda in Ethiopia moving forward around the CRRF and now GCR implementation.
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Roll-out of area-based technical pilot training for practitioners and policymakers, Jijiga, 11-12 March: ReDSS under the auspices of the European Union Trust Fund and in partnership with UNHCR and the Somali Regional State (SRS) government conducted a 2-day technical pilot training on area-based durable solutions planning and programming in Jijiga. The training was attended by 31 participants drawn from SRS regional authorities, UN agencies, NGO partners and academia. This training which is the first of its kind will first be piloted at the regional level in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia and then be rolled out at the Woreda level to support area-based solutions planning at local level. The modules will also be adapted and rolled out in Somalia and Kenya later in the year. Click here for the specific training modules and other useful resources. For more information on the tools kindly contact Shezane Kirubi (s.kirubi@regionaldss.org).
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ReDSS Ethiopia Policy Workshop, 3 March 2020: In 2020 ReDSS is reviewing and updating its policy agenda to support engagement in local, national and regional policy processes. To this end, ReDSS held a policy workshop for its Ethiopia members to support defining priority themes and processes and developing policy engagement strategies. This will allow ReDSS with its members to collectively engage in constructive and influential policy dialogue in Ethiopia. The discussions focused on both refugee and IDP-related policy engagement and identified key sub themes, policy processes and activities for policy engagement. ReDSS is now finalizing the policy engagement strategies which will form the basis of ReDSS policy work in support of members and partners. Please find agenda here and for more information contact Catherine Osborn (c.osborn@regionaldss.org).
Ratification of the Kampala Convention: On 13 February 2020 the Government of Ethiopia ratified the African Union (AU) Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa, known as the Kampala Convention. The Convention, a key regional legal instrument aimed at protecting, assisting and resolving the plight of IDPs, was unanimously passed by Ethiopia’s parliament. The Kampala Convention can support the development of national IDP policies to provide early and long-term solutions for IDPs. Ethiopia has one of the world’s largest IDP populations, estimated to be 1.78 million individuals, according to the 2020 UN Humanitarian Response Plan.
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UNHCR Multi Year Evaluation Workshop 19 February 2020: UNHCR shared an initial findings and new opportunities in the context of the multi-year, longitudinal evaluation which analyses UNHCR’s engagement in humanitarian-development cooperation. Ethiopia is one of the case studies of the evaluation, together with Jordan, Niger and Bangladesh. The findings of the evaluation, which is undertaken by Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) were discussed at a workshop held with key partners on 19 February in Addis Ababa. The discussion between UNHCR and partners focused on the initial findings and way forward in Ethiopia and potential global implications of the research. The evaluation team drafted a first global synthesis report, please find link here.
IOM, UNHCR announce temporary suspension of resettlement travel for refugees: As countries drastically reduce entry into their territories owing to the COVID-19 global health crisis, and restrictions around international air travel are introduced, travel arrangements for resettling refugees are currently subject to severe disruptions. UNHCR and IOM announced they are taking steps to suspend resettlement departures for refugees out of concern that international travel could increase the exposure of refugees to the virus. This is a temporary measure that will be in place only for as long as it remains essential.
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Upcoming webinars and online meetings
- ReDSS's webinar on community engagement during COVID19: Displacement affected communities (DACs) are particularly vulnerable, being in urban or camps settings and therefore it will be essential to see how to best communicate and engage with them on COVID19 prevention and protection measures. Following members’ requests, ReDSS is pleased to invite you to a webinar on Thursday April 9th from 3-5pm EAT on ‘How to effectively communicate and protect displacement affected communities during COVID19 emergency response? The invitation will be shared in the coming days. For more information kindly contact Shezane (s.kirubi@regionaldss.org)
- JIPS webinar on ‘Composite measures for analysing durable solutions I March 31st from 5.00pm-7.00pm EAT. Click here for more information.
- PHAP webinar on Operationalizing standards: Sphere and the COVID-19 response in camp settings I April 2nd from 1.00pm -3.00 pm EAT. Click here for more information.
- ReDSS Somalia Policy Workshop I April 2nd from 9am-1pm EAT. To RSVP or for more information contact Rufus (r.karaga@regionaldss.org). Call-in details will be shared with participants ahead of the call.
- ReDSS Regional Policy Workshop I April 8th 2020 from 9am-4pm EAT. To RSVP or for more information contact Cate (c.osborn@regionaldss.org). Call-in details will be shared with participants ahead of the call.
- ReDSS regional core group meeting I April 22nd 2020 from 9am-1pm EAT. To RSVP or for more information contact Shezane (s.kirubi@regionaldss.org). Call-in details will be shared with core group members ahead of the call.
- Thematic webinar on private sector engagement in forced displacement contexts I May 2020. For more information kindly contact Shezane (s.kirubi@regionaldss.org).
- ReDSS/UNHCR thematic webinar on socio economic inclusion of refugees in Kenya May 2020. For more information kindly contact Patience (p.kiara@regionaldss.org).
- Thematic webinar on measuring local integration and self-reliance I June 2020. For more information kindly contact Shezane (s.kirubi@regionaldss.org).
Specific resources on COVID-19
Other useful resources
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Copyright © 2018, Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat. All rights reserved.
Contact us:
Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat hosted at the Danish Refugee Council East Africa & Yemen
Lower Kabete Road, (Ngecha Road Junction)
P.O.Box 14762, 00800
Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (0)20 418 0403/4/5 (switchboard)
info@regionaldss.org
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