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Advancing Refugee Inclusion in the Somali Region, Ethiopia (ARISR)

The European Union (EU), through INTPA, has committed EUR 12 million to strengthen refugee inclusion and resilience in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, particularly in Kebribeyah. The investment supports the Kebribeyah Inclusion Roadmap, focusing on education, health, housing, solid waste management and institutional strengthening, in line with the Government of Ethiopia’s commitments to promote inclusive services and durable solutions for refugees, host communities and internally displaced persons in Kebribeyah.

The project is part of a broader effort to advance refugee inclusion and socio-economic development in Eastern Ethiopia’s Somali Region. Co-funded by the EU and UNHCR, and implemented in collaboration with the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), the Somali Regional State (SRS), relevant sector bureaus, partners and local communities, it supports key pledges under the Makatet Roadmap, which promotes inclusion and equitable access to basic services. By supporting integration into national systems, the project contributes to stronger and more cohesive communities.

The funding will support priority interventions identified in the roadmap, strengthen local infrastructure, expand access to essential services and foster greater social cohesion and self-reliance among refugees and host communities. By translating policy commitments into tangible development outcomes, the initiative reinforces the EU’s commitment to inclusive development, sustainable solutions and long-term stability in the region.

Unlocking Opportunities for Refugees and Hosts in Kebribeyah: Building Sustainable Housing and Stron
© Delegation of European Union to Ethiopia

Ethiopia hosts over one million refugees and asylum-seekers and remains one of Africa’s leading refugee-hosting countries. In the Somali Region, Kebribeyah has hosted refugees for more than 30 years and is home to over 20,000 refugees living alongside a host population of more than 52,000. Despite strong social cohesion and progressive refugee inclusion policies, both communities face major challenges, including inadequate housing, overstretched health and education services, poor solid waste management and limited urban infrastructure.

The ARISR project aims to strengthen inclusive service-delivery systems, improve living conditions and accelerate the integration of refugees into national systems alongside host communities. It is aligned with Ethiopia’s Refugee Proclamation No. 1110/2019 and the Somali Regional State Multi-Year Resilience Investment Plan (2023–2028), contributing to resilient communities capable of achieving peace, stability and sustainable development for all.

The project focuses on improving access to essential services such as healthcare, housing, education, hygiene, solid waste management and urban infrastructure planning by strengthening the capacity of government institutions, municipal staff and local service-delivery personnel.

More specifically, the project seeks to:

• Enhance living conditions through sustainable housing, improved urban planning and inclusive settlement development.

• Improve access to quality and inclusive education for refugee and host-community learners.

• Strengthen integrated health services through upgraded facilities, equipment and government systems.

• Improve environmental sustainability through stronger solid-waste management infrastructure and services.

• Build the capacity of institutions and local authorities to deliver coordinated, accountable and sustainable services.

Project Activities

• Update Kebribeyah’s spatial profile and master plan.

• Conduct legal, landownership and household-mapping assessments to inform inclusive urban development.

• Support the construction of sustainable housing and access-road infrastructure.

• Procure essential medicines, medical equipment and ambulances to strengthen health-service delivery.

• Support renovation, rehabilitation and solarisation of the Kebribeyah Health Centre to facilitate accreditation and handover to the Regional Health Bureau.

• Co-finance construction of a Maternal, Child and Health (MCH) Building in partnership with the Regional Government.

• Support construction of classroom blocks, a library and related education infrastructure at Kebribeyah Primary School.

• Conduct capacity-building programmes and awareness-raising campaigns for government institutions, service providers and communities.

• Strengthen multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms through regular coordination meetings at regional, municipal and community levels.

• Support the progressive integration of refugee services into government-managed education and health systems.

• Strengthen solid-waste collection, management and disposal systems through infrastructure development and community engagement.

• Conduct capacity-building training workshops and awareness-raising sessions.

• Conduct coordination meetings in Jijiga, Kebribeyah and at camp level

Expected resuls

• Selected forcibly displaced persons have access to adequate and safe housing, while fostering inclusive, integrated, sustainable and climate-resilient communities.

• Access to primary education for forcibly displaced persons and host communities is enhanced through the progressive inclusion of refugee learners and stronger capacity to deliver inclusive and improved services.

• Access to health services for forcibly displaced persons and host communities is enhanced through the progressive inclusion of refugees into national health systems and stronger government capacity to deliver inclusive and improved services.

• Solid-waste management systems are improved to support environmental sustainability, public-health protection and proper collection, disposal and recycling practices.

• Governance is enhanced to support transparency, accountability, integrated service delivery and sustainable development.