The refugee crisis in Africa is escalating, and pressures on host countries are mounting. The existing refugee response system thus already struggles to deliver acceptable outcomes for refugees; worse, it is under increasing financial pressure. Advocacy for refugee financing that keeps pace with the growing number of refugees remains crucial; however, the immediate challenge is to shift from a mindset focused on care and maintenance to one promoting development solutions to displacement. Sustainable Responses is anchored in host country leadership and premised on the promotion of refugee self-reliance. A new refugee response model will be needed to deliver better outcomes with the available resources. It is essential that the shift toward Sustainable Responses is accompanied by a coherent, measurable understanding of what self-reliance means.