August 1, 2019 (MOGADISHU, Somalia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Migration Programme today wrapped up a workshop in Mogadishu to validate a country-level report titled ‘Capacity and Institutional Assessment for Area-based Development (ABD) in Areas of Return and Reintegration in Somalia’.
The participants of the workshop were key relevant ministries including the Ministry of Planning, Investments and Economic Development (MoPIED), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Benedir Region Administration as well as relevant representatives from the Federal Members States (Jubaland, Puntland, South West State, Galmudug, Hirshabele), UN agencies, humanitarian and development actors, and civil society organisations in Somalia.
The overall objective was to review and validate the assessment report on:
- the realities of return and reintegration of refugees and IDPs in Somalia;
- the institutions responsible both at the federal, regional and local levels;
- the coordination mechanisms currently in place and their efficacy;
It was also aimed at reviewing the capacity priorities for the government of Somalia to take a lead and coordinating role for area-based development in support of return and reintegration, as well as broader durable solutions in select areas (Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa).
The participants discussed and debated the report in order to incorporate additional recommendations on wider context and emerging durable solutions and institutional arrangements.
The assessment undertook five tasks namely:
- The context in which return and reintegration is happening in Somalia;
- Mapping of the institutions charged with the responsibility of managing return and reintegration at both national and sub-national levels;
- An inventory and evaluation of the existing coordination mechanisms;
- Gap analysis of the Federal Government institutions to steer area-based development (ABD); and
- An appraisal of what works and what does not with regard to durable solutions in Mogadishu, and Kismayo which is the seat of the Jubaland regional administration.
The purpose of the assessment was to identify the existing gaps that need to be addressed in order for the Federal Government to plan and execute area-based development in areas of return and reintegration in order to attain cohesive and sustainable transformative change as opposed to the current disjointed and temporary instrumental change.
The Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project of IGAD which organised the workshop is supported by the World Bank.
