In the Horn of Africa, our policy approach is guided by three strategic goals.
1. To improve the management of refugees in the region by increasing their protection and supporting their long-term development needs.
Our response to refugees takes account of the unprecedented situation in the Horn of Africa, which is hosting almost 4 million refugees, the largest number for any region in the continent. While many refugees find themselves in increasingly protracted situations of displacement, recurrent conflict, droughts and other crises are forcing new waves of refugees to flee their homes. We are spearheading a new approach that goes beyond immediate help for refugees, and seeks to find durable solutions for them that also support the socio-economic development of their host communities.
2. To prevent and fight trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling.
Whilst the majority of people in the Horn of Africa move within the region, a small portion of them move beyond it, northwards towards Europe, southwards towards South Africa, or eastwards towards the countries of the Gulf. Some do so by hiring the services of migrant smugglers, putting themselves at risk of grave danger along their journey. Others are exploited by trafficking groups, and in many cases suffer detention, torture or other human rights abuses. We are helping to disrupt these networks, through actions that increase the capacity of governments in the Horn of Africa to manage migration more effectively and afford protection.
3. To increase stability in peripheral areas.
The major migratory routes in the Horn of Africa region are also conflict-affected areas located in underdeveloped borderlands. Lack of resources and investment, absence of state presence, and general lawlessness offer ample ground for violent conflict, radicalisation, internal displacement and the operation of criminal networks. We are working in these peripheral areas to tackle these challenges by strengthening the resilience of communities in the areas of governance, shared natural resources, service delivery and economic and employment opportunities.