Ethiopia launches Makatet Roadmap for refugee integration

The roadmap, whose name means 'inclusivity' in Amharic, aims to reinforce national ownership and integrate refugees into existing structures. Developed over two years with various stakeholders, it is designed to guide integration efforts until the end of the decade. The strategy targets over 1.2 million refugees and 1.6 million host community members, promising greater infrastructure investment in areas like electrification, education, and health, along with integration into the national ID system, employment, and development priorities.

This initiative builds on the 2019 Refugee Proclamation, which granted refugees rights to self-employment and wage employment, though full implementation has been a challenge. The roadmap's six strategic pillars include environmental protection, economic inclusion, protection, access to basic services, capacity development, and partnerships. Officials acknowledge risks such as insufficient resources, lack of coordination, and conflict, proposing solutions like joint resource mobilization and peacebuilding exercises.

Targets include registering 800,000 refugees under the national ID program by 2028 and supporting 20,000 through livelihood interventions within two years. Speakers at the launch, including Tagesse Chafo, speaker of Parliament, and Dorothy Mataboge, AU commissioner for infrastructure an