Publications

Click on the headings to see all the research reports, summaries, policy briefings and working papers.

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Research reports

DateTitleSummary
2023Examining the durable solutions
capacities in Kismayo and Afgoye
The study examined five thematic issues: assessment of durable solutions work being undertaken at federal member state level; the coordination mechanisms of durable solutions units at federal, state and local levels; priorities and experiences of displacement-affected communities; impact of climate change and environmental degradation on durable solutions work; involvement of nongovernmental, donor and private sector actors.
2023Operationalising a whole-of-society approachThe aim of this report is to show how the WoS approach is being implemented in programming on migration and displacement in the Horn of Africa, to identify its benefits and challenges, and to recommend ways in which these lessons can be applied to strengthen the WoS approach in programming.
2023Closing the environment-migration gap in climate policy and programmes in KenyaThis paper explores mobility and migration in the context of strategies of adaptation to dynamic environmental changes in Tana River County of coastal Kenya.
2023Bridging the gap: environmental change, mobility and policy in Ethiopia’s Somali Region and SomalilandThis study explores environmental change, mobility and policy in Ethiopia’s Somali Region and Somaliland.
2023South Sudan’s decades of
displacement: Understanding return and
questioning reintegration
This study explores the experiences of displacement, return and reintegration among South Sudanese refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The overall objective of the research is to understand the factors influencing displacement within and from South Sudan, and return to South Sudan from refugee hosting areas.
2023Conflict and displacement in Ethiopia: the case of Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State and Konso Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples RegionThe aim of this study is to investigate the causes of the current conflict in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State (BGRS) and the Konso Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) and thereby to examine the short- and long-term humanitarian responses, as well as durable solutions to these crises.
2022The pursuit of a livelihood: women migrant workers and gendered experiences of migration from Uganda to the gulf countriesThis report examines gendered labour migration in Uganda, the process of decision making leading to internal and/or international migration, and the impact thereof. It develops a body of knowledge from migrants’ viewpoint that was previously absent. It further analyses gender-specific experiences of return and reintegration into communities and families, in addition to capturing women’s unique accounts of their migration processes.
2022Asylum in urban spaces: The case of refugees in cities in UgandaBased on an exploratory fieldwork in Arua, Kampala and
Mbarara this rapid review brings into focus the case of urban refugees in Uganda as it examines the existing gap between the country’s hailed national refugee policies and strategies on the one hand, and experiences of urban refugees on the ground on the other.
2022The Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees: taking stock of progress and the way forward in the Horn of AfricaThis rapid desk review examines the responses to the signing of the GCM and the GCR in the HoA and focuses particularly on the ways in which the compacts have affected the programming undertaken by the EUTF in the region.
2022A review of disability inclusion for refugees in Ethiopia and recommendations for future practiceThis rapid review synthesises information on the experiences, protection needs, barriers to and opportunities for providing protection for refugees living with disabilities in Ethiopia, the second largest refugee hosting country in Africa, and identifies key gaps and future priorities for policy and programming.
2022 How does technical and vocational education and training (TVET) influence dynamics of mobility and conflict? Lessons from the Horn of AfricaThis study considers the assumptions underlying TVET and employment generation programmes funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) in Africa by examining the influence of these programmes on young people’s decisions around mobility and engagement in conflict.
2021Land, climate change and internal migration among the Wolayta youth of southwest Ethiopia This study investigates the combined impact of land scarcity and fragmentation, and climate change on the high incidence of migration of youth from the Wolayta Zone in Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region.
2021Mapping the refugee
journey towards employment and entrepreneurship: Obstacles and opportunities for private sector engagement in refugee-hosting areas in Kenya
This report presents the results of a study investigating the current pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for refugees in Kenya, and the actual and potential role of the private sector in creating economic opportunities in Kenya’s refugee-hosting areas.
2021Borderland infrastructure and livelihoods: a review of implications for the development of formal border crossings in Mandera County, KenyaThis paper examines the impacts of the development of formal border crossings on the economy of borderlands, especially in remote, rural areas of Africa, where local people’s livelihoods often depend on informal cross-border trade and exchange.
2021REF 2020 feedback and impact surveyResults and analysis of stakeholder survey to evaluate REF's impact and engagement.
2020Circular refugee returns between Kenya and SomaliaA review of circular return dynamics between Kenya and Somalia.
2020Moving in contexts of environmental change: a rural-urban livelihoods perspective from Laikipia, KenyaThis paper explores the physical movements, and the translocal connections that accompany them, through the perspective of rural-urban livelihoods in Laikipia County, Kenya.
2020Information and communication technologies and mobility in the Horn of Africa: a review of the literature
This review examines how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) affect intentions and behaviours relating to mobility within the Horn of Africa.
2020Resilience in Action
Local practices and development/humanitarian policies
This review investigates the adoption of ideas of resilience in the drylands of Turkana by the development and humanitarian sector.
2020Localisation and participation within the rollout of the Comprehensive refugee Response Framework in KenyaThis rapid review analyses the extent of localisation and participation in the rollout of the CRRF process in Kenya.
2020COVID-19 and mobility, conflict and development in the Horn of AfricaThis briefing paper brings together emerging information and analyses on COVID‐19 in the HoA, with a particular focus on how these relate to mobility, conflict and development.
2020Migration and migration management on the Ethiopia–Sudan borderThis research project examines the interests of a range of stakeholders in different forms of migration in Metema, Ethiopia, in particular those who are indirectly involved in designing migration responses.
2020Comprehensive Refugee Responses in the Horn of Africa: Regional Leadership on Education, Livelihoods and Durable SolutionsThis report analyses the ways in which the Nairobi Process and CRRF are being implemented in Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda.
2020Migration and conflict in the Horn of Africa: a review of recent literatureAn overview of new literature related to migration in the Horn of Africa published between 2017 and 2019.
2019The impact of Youth Training and Employment on Migration Dynamics in the Horn of AfricaExploring the relationship between technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Ethiopia and Uganda and changing patterns of migration.
2019Disrupting the Finances of Criminal Networks Responsible for Human Smuggling and TraffickingWhat approaches undermine the capacities of criminal to undertake smuggling and trafficking networks?
2018Darfuri migration from Sudan to EuropeDocumenting the experiences of young Darfuris fleeing Sudan for Europe to understanding the drivers migration.
2018Return and (Re)Integration after Displacement; Belonging, Labelling and Livelihoods in Three Somali CitiesExamining the factors that shape displacement, return and (re)integration in Somalia.
2018The Lure of the City; Synthesis report on rural to urban migration in Ethiopia, Kenya and UgandaExamining rural to urban migration in Dire Dawa, Eldoret and Gulu.
2018Eldoret, a City on the Move; Drivers, Dynamics and Challenges of Rural to Urban MobilityExploring the drivers and dynamics related to rural to urban migration in Eldoret.
2018Mobility and Crisis in Gulu; Drivers, Dynamics and Challenges of Rural to Urban MobilityExploring the drivers and dynamics related to rural to urban migration in Gulu.
2018Expectations and Belonging in Dire Dawa; Drivers, Dynamics and Challenges of Rural to Urban MobilityExploring the drivers and dynamics related to rural to urban migration in Dire Dawa.
2018A Rapid Review of the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa Research and Evidence FacilityA review of the REF’s outputs and impact
2017Migration Between the Horn of Africa and YemenAre smuggling and trafficking networks driving the growth in migration from the Horn of Africa to Yemen?
2017Migration and Conflict in the Horn of Africa; A Desk Review and Proposal for ResearchThe Desk Review examines the state of research on migration, displacement and conflict in the Horn of Africa.
2016Cross Border Analysis Report SummaryThis is the summary of all four cross border analysis reports exploring Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan.
2016Cross Border Analysis Report Cluster 1: Southwest Ethiopia and Northwest KenyaThis report examines the border dynamics concerning Southwest Ethiopia and Northwest Kenya.
2016Cross Border Analysis Report Cluster 2: Kenya Somalia EthiopiaThis report analyses the cross border dynamics of Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia.
2016Cross Border Analysis Report Cluster 3: West Ethiopia and East SudanThis report which provides a mapping and analysis of Western Ethiopia and Eastern Sudan.

Research summaries and briefings

Date Title SummaryDownload
2023Inclusion of youth in conflict analysis for improved programming and policy responses to displacement in South Sudan
This policy brief discusses the fundamental principles of conflict analysis and how they can translate into practice. It highlights the need for a participatory, youth-sensitive conflict analysis. It also underlines primary areas of intervention for humanitarian and development actors to acknowledge when designing and implementing programmes targeted at South Sudanese refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities.
2023Gendered experiences of return and displacement in South Sudan: developing gender-sensitive policies and programmingThis policy brief discusses the rupture that displacement and return constitute in the lives of women and argues for a more gender-sensitive approach to policy design and programming around mobility in South Sudan
2023Leveraging cross-border cooperation: a durable solutions approach to the South Sudan displacement crisisThis policy brief discusses long-standing traditions of cross-border mobility in the region and existing efforts towards regional cross-border cooperation at the policy and programming level. We propose a way forward through harmonisation of policies among national governments, reorientation of border policy to facilitate safe movement rather than securitisation, and more flexible funding mechanisms with longer time horizons.
2022Disability Inclusion of Refugees in Ethiopia and Recommendations for Future PracticeThis policy brief presents the findings and recommendations from a study, on disability inclusion for refugees in Ethiopia. The study examines the experiences, protection needs, barriers to, and opportunities for providing protection for refugees living with disabilities in Ethiopia, and ways to institutionalise better practices of inclusion.
2021Mapping the refugee journey towards employment and entrepreneurship: obstacles and opportunities for private sector engagement in refugee hosting areasThis research brief presents a summary of a research study exploring the current pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for refugees in Kenya, and the actual and potential role of the private sector in creating economic opportunities in Kenya’s refugee hosting areas.
2021Youth vocational education/training and migration in the Horn of AfricaThis research brief presents the results of a study investigating the link between involvement in TVET programmes and potential for migration among youth in Uganda and Ethiopia.
2021Information & communication technologies, mobility and migration in the Horn of AfricaThis research brief presents the key findings and recommendations of an extensive literature review on how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) affect intentions and behaviours related to mobility within the Horn of Africa (HoA).
2019 Comprehensive Refugee Responses in the Horn of Africa: Regional Leadership on Education, Livelihoods and Durable Solutions: summary of findingsA study which considered the implementation of the CRRF and IGAD initiatives in four countries: Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda
2019Changing Places: Migration and Displacement in the Horn of AfricaA summary of discussions from REF's 2019 forum in Nairobi
20182018 Update of Research Activities & PublicationsResearch activities, initiated research and preliminary findings.
2018Darfuri migration from Sudan to Europe: from Displacement to DespairThis report summary looks at the experiences of young Darfuris fleeing Sudan for Europe.
2018Assessing the impact of migration management systems on livelihoods and migration: Evidence from PuntlandExploring the actual and potential impact of migration management initiatives on sustainable development.
20172017 Update of Research Activities and PublicationsResearch activities, initiated research and preliminary findings.
2017Perilous Journeys, Migration between the Horn of Africa and YemenKey policy implications on movement between the Horn of Africa and Yemen.
2017Migration Between the Horn of Africa and YemenExecutive summary: understanding what is driving the growth in migration from the Horn of Africa to Yemen.
2017Taking Stock: Recent & Upcoming ResearchResearch activities, initiated research and preliminary findings.
2017Migration Between the Horn of Africa and YemenA summary of preliminary findings on our research exploring migration between the Horn of Africa and Yemen.
2017Migration and Conflict in the Horn of Africa: Desk Review BibliographyBibliography examining the state of research on migration, displacement and conflict in the Horn of Africa

Working papers

DateTitleAuthorSummaryDownload
2021Rural–urban migration, urban informality and the challenges of promoting inclusive development in EthiopiaGetahun Fenta KebedeThis paper explores the causes and types of informality in Ethiopia and identify barriers that hinder young people from formalising informal businesses and launching and running new businesses.Paper
2021COVID-19 and forced immobility in the Horn of AfricaOliver BakewellThis paper will explore the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on mobility compared to the impact of other crises. Paper
2020A state-incorporated business: the migration economy along the Ethiopia–Sudan border town of MetemaKiya GezahegneThis paper explores how some members of the state, and brokers, are involved in the business of migrant mobility, including in human smuggling and trafficking. Paper
Blog
2020Baidoa Municipality initiatives on population displacement and urbanisation: key lessons learned and the way forwardAbdullahi Ali Watiin This paper focuses on the security of Baidoa City, on durable solutions for the challenges facing displaced people, on urbanisation and on private sector engagement with the help of development and humanitarian partners operating in Baidoa, South West State of Somalia. Paper
Blog
2020Migration barriers and migration momentum: Ethiopian irregular migrants in the Ethiopia-South Africa migration corridor Yordanos Estifanos and Tanya ZackThe key factors driving a persistent aspiration among Ethiopians to migrate to South Africa, despite intensifying restrictions and hostility. Paper
Blog
2018En route to Exile: Organizing Refugee journeys from the Horn of Africa towards EuropeTekalign AyalewExplores the emergence and role of irregular migration infrastructures that support and sustain east African migratory mobility towards Europe.Paper
2018Close and Yet Far; Lived Experiences of Ethiopian Maids in DjiboutiMeron ZelekeThe experiences of Ethiopian female migrants working as maids in Djibouti.Paper
2017Somali Networks in UgandaGianluca Iazzolino and Mohamed HersiThe transformation of Somali entrepreneurship in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.Paper


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