Durable Solutions in Displacement Crises

Somalia, for over 25 years has grappled

with the challenges of both political and climate induced shocks, this

has resulted in demographic shifts due to the combination of climate

change and urbanization. As recent as the end of 2016 and into 2017,

Somalia has experienced severe droughts which displaced almost a

million people across the country.

South West State of Somalia (SWS) and its capital city Baidoa, are one

of the main nodes in central Somalia, and the breadbasket of the

country. Currently, they have the highest record of drought related

displacement and the cumulative urban population has more than doubled

in the last year. These numbers are compounded by an already high

number of IDP's settled in towns, and an urban population in dire

constraints, with already high pressure on resources, settlements and

livelihood options.

The need of a programme with the aim to sustainably resolve the

chronic crisis in the country has brought the Government of South West

State to provide a multi-stakeholder framework for engagement and

roadmap at policy, coordination and implementation levels to provide

comprehensive solutions.

The SWS Strategic plan, the Drought Intervention Recovery Plan and the

urban profiling carried out with local and international partners will

showcase the spatial development approach developed by the SWS

Government in addressing urban crisis, displacement and development,

focusing on the attainment of durable solutions.

This event seeks to give a new perspective on Somalia and its effort

towards a more sustainable urban future, and to trigger a discussion

on the impact of migration, conflict and climate change. It will

present a networking platform to build synergies, improve the current

approach, share with other city leaders and the public best practices

and examine possible ways forward with an aim of attaining the SDGs in

crisis countries.