This evaluation was conducted at a time when programme countries are grappling with COVID-19 pandemic which is threatening to reverse decades of development gains. The evaluation points out that the pandemic poses additional risks to the efforts to address drivers that induce conflict. The slow evolution of the COVID-19 notwithstanding, the intertwined security, humanitarian and climate challenges in the Sahel and Horn of Africa demand a comprehensive approach.

Cumulative impacts of multiple crises needed comprehensive strategies. Across conflict contexts, compartmentalized responses to different crises at country level had shortcomings in addressing cross-cutting and intersecting elements of the crises. The humanitarian development peace nexus provided a much-needed common direction in conflict contexts as a framework for international and national stakeholders to surpass the humanitarian/ development divide by collectively working toward outcomes based on comparative advantage over multi-year timelines. UNDP should prioritize support to conflict prevention at the global and country levels, develop its prevention offer with a focus on facilitating long-term structural change and a generational transformation agenda in conflict-affected countries.