In March 2019, the Kampala Declaration on jobs, livelihoods and self-reliance for Refugees, Returnees and Host Communities was signed by IGAD Members States.
Inclusion of refugees in the 2022 National Development Plan, and development of National Financial inclusion strategy to allow refugees to open free bank accounts. 2017 Refugee Law and the two implementing decrees grant refugees same treatment as nationals in national labor and social security legislation.
Adoption of the 2019 new refugee law with progressive rights for refugees, and directives on out of-camp, right to work and grievance facilitate the enabling environment. The 2020 Investment Proclamation promotes private sector led development. A below-market rate investment was launched fund by African Entrepreneur Collective (AEC) and Dashen Bank to support refugee and host community entrepreneurs in Assosa and Jigjiga refugee camps.
6 out of 7 IGAD Member states have drafted and adopted National Action Plans on inclusive Refugee Education to domesticate the Djibouti Declaration in national legislation. These Costed Plans contextualize the provisions of the Djibouti Declaration to challenges faced at the local and national level, and significantly contribute to the inclusion of refugee education in national education systems.
Adoption of National Durable Solutions Strategy 2020 – 2024 (NDSS) by Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development guides the implementation of durable solutions programming and policies in Somalia. The National Durable Solutions Strategy and the State level Development Plans are aligned to the National Development Plan.
The South Sudan Durable Solutions Strategy and Plan of Action includes refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities. Provision of land for refugees and returnees in the area of return. Promotion of market-based skills approaches with the formation of the TVET, a draft vocational training policy and harmonization of the curriculum and vocational training centers in the ten states and three administrative areas of South Sudan.
Establishing of a mechanism for integrating refugees and returnees in local development plans for urban and other areas hosting refugees. The government promotes land-based settlement allowing refugees and host community to share land. Policies and labor laws being reviewed to attract private sector.
Jobs and Livelihoods Integrated Response Plan (JLIRP) launched in April 2021, and establishment of the National Steering Committee for the Jobs and Livelihoods Integrated Response Plan. The 2006 Uganda Refugees Act and Refugee Regulations 2010 guarantees refugee rights to work, education and own property. Digitalizing cash transfers through agency banking and mobile money, financial literacy trainings; infrastructural investment of putting telephone signals in refugee settlements by private telecommunication network service providers.
