Following the launch of UNDP's Framework on Development Solutions to Forced Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa, the UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa has begun contextualizing the framework for operationalization in the East and Horn of Africa. Through a multi-country programme, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda, the framework's strategic vision is being translated into concrete, context-specific programming that responds to the region's displacement and mobility dynamics while supporting nationally-led development solutions.

At country level, it contextualizes both pillars and enablers of the framework, with particular emphasis on the contextualization and operationalization of the 2 pillars (resilience of displacement-affected areas and inclusive, sustainable governance of displacement-affected communities). Through area-based and locally-led approaches, the programme supports displaced populations, returnees, and host communities through access to services, climate adaptative livelihoods, social cohesion, and strengthening local governance.

The regional component complements these national efforts by placing a stronger focus on the framework's two enablers: development finance, and data, evidence and institutional capacity building. Recognizing the cross-border and regional nature of displacement, the regional actions will support policy dialogue, knowledge exchange and cross-border cooperation while mobilizing sustainable financing, strengthening evidence and institutional capacities and supporting greater policy coherence and learning across the six countries.

The operationalization process is being led by the UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa in close collaboration with the participating UNDP Country Offices and in coordination with the Regional Bureau for Arab States and the Crisis Bureau. The programme, furthermore, builds upon UNDP's existing strengths in governance, resilience, and development financing, while leveraging partnerships with governments, regional economic communities such as IGAD, UN agencies and development partners to strengthen nationally led and regionally coordinated development approaches to forced displacement.

By linking regional and country-level action and strengthening partnerships across institutions, the programme seeks to demonstrate how development solutions can transform displacement-affected areas into hubs of resilience, recovery and long-term inclusive growth.

A key milestone in the process was a meeting with Country Office leadership from the six participating countries on 1 July 2026. During the meeting, participants endorsed the proposed approach and agreed on clear next steps for the joint the multi-country programme, reaffirming the importance of moving beyond fragmented, project-based responses towards coordinated, long-term development solutions to forced displacement in line with existing programming and government priorities.