EHAGL Regional Knowledge Exchange Social Protection & Forced Displacement

Working Group Description
The social protection and forced displacement knowledge exchange is a forum for organisations working on this topic to come together to learn from each other and external stakeholders, to exchange information and best practices and explore opportunities for joint activities. Membership is open to regional NGOs/CSOs, UN agencies, IFIs, Bilateral Donors and Research Institutes across the humanitarian-development nexus in Eastern, Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes. The Exchange aims to stimulate discussion, research, and sharing of best practices related to the inclusion of forcibly displaced populations and vulnerable or marginalized host communities into emerging national social protection systems and programmes.
The Topic
Africa’s East, Horn and Great Lakes Region is experiencing increased frequency, severity and duration of crises creating a context of substantial and growing needs, with new conflicts swelling displaced and refugee caseloads. This is combined with the increasingly protracted nature of displacement , growing climatic shocks and inadequate humanitarian resources to meet the needs that these scenarios are generating.
However, despite these challenges progress can be seen in the establishment, strengthening and reach of social protection policies, systems and programmes across the region alongside increased investment in these systems. This is primarily development partner resources, but some countries are seeing a growth in government investment also. COVID-19 has accelerated efforts to scale up social protection systems.
There is wide acceptance of the role that social protection can play in reducing poverty and addressing lifecycle risks and vulnerabilities. Pilots are developing into government social safety net programmes, delivery systems are improving and there is an increased focus on developing the shock-responsive capacities of these systems. Coverage is growing despite challenges around fragmentation, capacity, coordination and resourcing. This links to the increasing use of cash transfers as a humanitarian response modality and robust evidence of the efficacy of social protection and social transfers in both development and crisis contexts.
Humanitarian assistance has been performing the same role as social assistance for many years. In contexts of increasingly protracted displacement and lack of durable solutions for most refugees, inclusion in social protection systems, backed by international development investments, can contribute to more predictable alternatives to humanitarian assistance. UNHCR is working with governments and international actors to implement an area-based approach promoting access to social protection programmes for displaced and host populations.
An increased focus on developing inclusive systems provides opportunities for broadening discussions on how Persons of Concern (PoC) can benefit from social protection to provide more effective, efficient and sustainable solutions to affected populations. This requires re-examining ways of responding to the basic and protection needs of forcibly displaced communities and exploring the role that government social protection systems can play in meeting the needs of PoC, accelerating the agenda of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), promoting area-based solutions, efficiencies, inclusion and sustainability.
Working Group Documents
Presentation - Bridging Refugees to the Global Digital Economy - July 2025
Document
Presentation by the AReL (Action For Refugee Life) on Bridging Refugees to the Global Digital Economy, showcasing a scalable model that connects trained refugees to global job opportunities through e...
Publish date: 3 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
Presentation - Konexio Africa – Digital Inclusion Programs - July 2025
Document
Presentation by Konexio Africa showcasing their impact in promoting digital inclusion for marginalized communities, especially women and youth in refugee camps and informal settlements. Konexio is a K...
Publish date: 3 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
Presentation - Digital Literacy Interventions - July 2025
Document
Presentation by the UNHCR Global Innovation Team on UNHCR’s new publication, Digital Literacy for Refugee Economic Inclusion: A Practical Guidance Note — a tool to support programs aiming to equip ref...
Publish date: 3 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
Re:BUiLD Year 4 Annual Report
Document
The International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for Livelihoods Development (Re:BUiLD) program is pleased to present the year 4 annual report. As we focu...
Publish date: 1 July 2025 (3 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
UNHCR - Digital Literacy for Refugee Economic Inclusion: A Practical Guidance Note
Document
Digital Literacy interventions – a guide for organizations working in forced displacement contexts. This tool supports programs aiming to equip refugees with digital literacy skills, an essential step...
Publish date: 30 June 2025 (4 days ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
Presentation - Bridging Refugees to the Global Digital Economy - July 2025
Document
Presentation by the AReL (Action For Refugee Life) on Bridging Refugees to the Global Digital Economy, showcasing a scalable model that connects trained refugees to global job opportunities through e...
Publish date: 3 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
Presentation - Konexio Africa – Digital Inclusion Programs - July 2025
Document
Presentation by Konexio Africa showcasing their impact in promoting digital inclusion for marginalized communities, especially women and youth in refugee camps and informal settlements. Konexio is a K...
Publish date: 3 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
Presentation - Digital Literacy Interventions - July 2025
Document
Presentation by the UNHCR Global Innovation Team on UNHCR’s new publication, Digital Literacy for Refugee Economic Inclusion: A Practical Guidance Note — a tool to support programs aiming to equip ref...
Publish date: 3 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
Presentation - Introduction to the Sustainable Human Settlements Multistakeholder Pledge - June 2025
Document
Presentation by UNHCR - an introduction to the Sustainable Human Settlements Multistakeholder Pledge
Publish date: 5 June 2025 (29 days ago)
Create date: 5 June 2025 (28 days ago)
Presentation - URA Refugee Settlement Profiling - June 2025
Document
Presentation by UN-Habitat on the Spatial Profiling of Ura Refugee Settlement, Ethiopia and its benefit for Socio-economic Inclusion
Publish date: 5 June 2025 (29 days ago)
Create date: 5 June 2025 (28 days ago)
Social protection responses to COVID-19 for forcibly displaced persons
Document
Refugees and other Persons of Concern (PoC)1 to UNHCR have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to serious health, socio-economic and protection impacts. Some governme...
Publish date: 30 November 2020 (4 years ago)
Create date: 24 February 2022 (3 years ago)
Sudan Regional Refugee Response - May to December 2023 (Revised August 2023)
Document
The 2023 Sudan Emergency Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) was launched in May 2023, revised in June 2023, and again in August 2023 reflecting the dramatic and ongoing increases in external displac...
Publish date: 4 September 2023 (1 year ago)
Create date: 4 September 2023 (1 year ago)
Nairobi County Refugee Integration and Community Building Strategy
Document
The Nairobi County Refugee Integration and Community Building Strategy (NCRIS) outlines Nairobi County’s commitment to providing refugees with a secure environment, access to essential services, and i...
Publish date: 29 April 2025 (2 months ago)
Create date: 13 May 2025 (1 month ago)
ILO-UNHCR Joint Action Plan 2023-2025
Document
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have complementary mandates and expertise in supporting forcibly displaced people’s access to ...
Publish date: 2 April 2025 (3 months ago)
Create date: 16 April 2025 (2 months ago)
Ethiopia - Country Refugee Response Plan 2024
Document
Under the co-leadership of the Government of Ethiopia’s Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and UNHCR, the Ethiopia Country Refugee Response Plan (CRRP) for 2024 is the interagency refugee response i...
Publish date: 30 April 2024 (1 year ago)
Create date: 22 May 2024 (1 year ago)
UNHCR - Strategic Plan for Climate Action 2024-2030
Document
UNHCR’s newly released Strategic Plan for Climate Action 2024-2030 builds on the Strategic Framework for Climate Action to operationalize its commitment to reduce and manage the effects of climate cha...
Publish date: 13 December 2023 (1 year ago)
Create date: 16 February 2024 (1 year ago)
UNHCR - Uganda: Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Strategic Directions 2023 - 2028
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UNHCR Uganda: Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion Strategic Directions 2023 - 2028
Publish date: 7 August 2023 (1 year ago)
Create date: 8 August 2023 (1 year ago)
INCLUSION OF REFUGEES IN GOVERNMENT SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS IN AFRICA
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INCLUSION OF REFUGEES IN GOVERNMENT SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS IN AFRICA
Publish date: 31 January 2022 (3 years ago)
Create date: 8 February 2022 (3 years ago)
Emerging Lessons from World Bank Group Social Protection Investments in Refugee-Hosting Areas
Document
Emerging Lessons from World Bank Group Social Protection Investments in Refugee-Hosting Areas
Publish date: 31 January 2022 (3 years ago)
Create date: 8 February 2022 (3 years ago)
UNHCR Mapping of Social Safety Nets for Refugees
Document
The aim of the mapping of social safety nets (SSN) was to explore the potential for alignment between humanitarian cash assistance and SSN in forced displacement situations. It considered various as...
Publish date: 31 December 2021 (3 years ago)
Create date: 24 February 2022 (3 years ago)
Leave no one behind: Promoting effective access of refugees in social protection systems in post-pandemic Europe
Document
The spread of COVID-19 has challenged all of us to question conventional wisdom, think differently and work together to find solutions to the defining crisis of our times. In Europe, COVID-19 has touc...
Publish date: 31 December 2021 (3 years ago)
Create date: 24 February 2022 (3 years ago)
ALIGNING HUMANITARIAN CASH ASSISTANCE WITH NATIONAL SOCIAL SAFETY NETS IN REFUGEE SETTINGS
Document
The purpose of this document is to share learning and considerations on how operations have or could progressively align humanitarian cash assistance for refugees to national social safety nets (SSN)...
Publish date: 31 December 2021 (3 years ago)
Create date: 24 February 2022 (3 years ago)
CGD Working Paper - Cash and Small Business Groups for Ugandans and Refugees
Document
Constraints that inhibit small business growth are potentially amplified for groups with limited access to existing business networks like refugees and women. Programs that facilitate intergroup conta...
Publish date: 20 June 2025 (14 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
CGD Policy Paper - Urban Refugee Policies and Legislation in Kenya and Uganda: 2025 Stocktake
Document
Policy for urban refugees in Kenya and Uganda is rarely at the forefront of national discussions, leaving important gaps that could potentially be addressed with engagement from civil society. Based o...
Publish date: 20 June 2025 (14 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
OECD Policy Brief - Cuts in official development assistance OECD projections for 2025 and the near term
Document
The OECD projects a 9–17% drop in net official development assistance (ODA) in 2025, following a 9% decline in 2024. The projected decline is driven by announced cuts from major providers, and it woul...
Publish date: 26 June 2025 (8 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Can Social Protection Programmes Promote Livelihoods and Climate Resilience in Conflict‑Affected Settings? Evidence from Ethiopia’s Product...
Document
The paper discusses the growing interest in using social protection to address climate-related vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience, particularly in conflict-affected settings. It examines the Pr...
Publish date: 6 May 2025 (1 month ago)
Create date: 7 May 2025 (1 month ago)
Re:BUiLD Year 4 Annual Report
Document
The International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for Livelihoods Development (Re:BUiLD) program is pleased to present the year 4 annual report. As we focu...
Publish date: 1 July 2025 (3 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
Scenario planning for livelihoods, food security and migration in Tigray, Ethiopia
Document
This scenario paper explores the potential of the triple nexus, that is, the humanitarian–development–peace nexus approach – a policy concept that encourages stronger collaboration and coordination ac...
Publish date: 27 June 2025 (7 days ago)
Create date: 1 July 2025 (2 days ago)
OECD Global Outlook on Financing for Sustainable Development 2025
Document
The biennial flagship Global Outlook on Financing for Sustainable Development provides a comprehensive analysis of major trends impacting the global financial system and financing for the Sustainable...
Publish date: 26 June 2025 (8 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
CGD Working Paper - Cash and Small Business Groups for Ugandans and Refugees
Document
Constraints that inhibit small business growth are potentially amplified for groups with limited access to existing business networks like refugees and women. Programs that facilitate intergroup conta...
Publish date: 20 June 2025 (14 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
CGD Policy Paper - Urban Refugee Policies and Legislation in Kenya and Uganda: 2025 Stocktake
Document
Policy for urban refugees in Kenya and Uganda is rarely at the forefront of national discussions, leaving important gaps that could potentially be addressed with engagement from civil society. Based o...
Publish date: 20 June 2025 (14 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
UNHCR - Digital Literacy for Refugee Economic Inclusion: A Practical Guidance Note
Document
Digital Literacy interventions – a guide for organizations working in forced displacement contexts. This tool supports programs aiming to equip refugees with digital literacy skills, an essential step...
Publish date: 30 June 2025 (4 days ago)
Create date: 3 July 2025 (18 hours ago)
UNECA - Draft Kampala declaration on sustainable, inclusive, science-based and evidence-based solutions for driving job creation and economi...
Document
Draft Kampala declaration on sustainable, inclusive, science-based and evidence-based solutions for driving job creation and economic growth and for implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
Publish date: 11 April 2025 (2 months ago)
Create date: 25 April 2025 (2 months ago)
CALP - Minimum Standard for Market Analysis - May 2024
Document
With growing recognition of the importance of market analysis in the humanitarian sector, a plethora of tools and guidance has been developed to support such exercises. While this has provided an oppo...
Publish date: 4 May 2024 (1 year ago)
Create date: 30 May 2024 (1 year ago)
UNHCR - Cash and Shelter: Access to sustainable housing through cash assistance – key considerations and learning
Document
This recently published guidance document focuses on the use of cash assistance to enhance shelter solutions. It emphasizes the importance of unrestricted cash for sustainable housing, covering aspect...
Publish date: 30 April 2024 (1 year ago)
Create date: 30 May 2024 (1 year ago)
Implementation Guide – Good Practices For Ensuring Data Protection And Privacy In Social Protection Systems
Document
This Implementation Guide is aimed at practitioners involved in the design, implementation, and expansion of social protection systems and programmes at the country level, especially regarding non-con...
Publish date: 31 August 2022 (2 years ago)
Create date: 17 November 2022 (2 years ago)
Brief - DREEM Project Overview
Document
DREEM is an exciting partnership between WUSC and the Mastercard Foundation where WUSC plays a unique role as a technical assistance and strategic learning partner to the Mastercard Foundation and its...
Publish date: 3 October 2024 (9 months ago)
Create date: 3 October 2024 (9 months ago)
UNHCR Sudan - Solutions and Livelihoods Factsheet - November 2023
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UNHCR Sudan - Solutions and Livelihoods Factsheet - November 2023
Publish date: 1 November 2023 (1 year ago)
Create date: 6 November 2023 (1 year ago)
UNHCR - Sudan Crisis: Socioeconomic Profile Overview - January 2025
Document
The sociodemographic and economic characteristics of registered Sudanese refugees vary by location and time. UNHCR proGres registration records for over 1.8 million registered refugees across the seve...
Publish date: 31 January 2025 (5 months ago)
Create date: 4 February 2025 (4 months ago)
OECD Policy Brief - Cuts in official development assistance OECD projections for 2025 and the near term
Document
The OECD projects a 9–17% drop in net official development assistance (ODA) in 2025, following a 9% decline in 2024. The projected decline is driven by announced cuts from major providers, and it woul...
Publish date: 26 June 2025 (8 days ago)
Create date: 2 July 2025 (1 day ago)
IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection
Document
This Policy Framework on Refugee Protection is a consolidation of the key findings and recommendations that reflect the IGAD Member States’ commitment to providing a safe haven for refugees, ensuring ...
Publish date: 31 January 2024 (1 year ago)
Create date: 5 March 2024 (1 year ago)
UNHCR Policy on Cash-based Interventions - 2022-2026
Document
Building on the Policy on Cash-Based Interventions (CBI) 2016-20211, this Policy sets the overall direction for UNHCR’s use of CBI from 2022 to 2026 inclusive, with the aim of scaling up and strengthe...
Publish date: 5 September 2022 (2 years ago)
Create date: 6 September 2022 (2 years ago)
Working Group Key Contacts
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Clare Gardner
UNHCR Regional Bureau for East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes, Nairobi, Kenya Senior Social Protection Officer -
Shana Hoehler
ILO Technical Officer – Social Health Protection for Refugees and Host Communities
Links
Social assistance in crises roundtable: knowledge gaps and policy challenges | |
BASIC (Better Assistance in Crises) Research is a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded programme examining why, how and when to use social protection approaches in different crisis contexts, to deliver more effective social assistance so that vulnerable people cope better with crises and meet their basic needs. This online roundtable discussion will be a dialogue with other researchers and practitioners on the ground. | |
Fragility Forum: Emerging Research on Social Protection in Contexts of Fragility and Displacement | |
Fragility Forum, a podcast summarising UNHCR studies and the ongoing WB-DFID Trust Fund and OECD studies on inclusion of refugees in SP systems and a roundtable with representatives from Mauritania, Republic of Congo and Yemen. | |
Guidance Package - SPaN resources | |
The European Commission (EC) created the Guidance Package (GP) on Social Protection across the Humanitarian-Development Nexus (SPaN) to provide concrete and practical guidance to social protection as an effective short- and long-term response to multivariate shocks, protracted crises and displacement based on the current body of knowledge, including brief definitions, and processes of social protection approaches in most challenging settings. The variety of contexts covered by the GP also includes countries where social protection systems are nationally led and those without any structures in place. |