Addressing Internal Displacement as a Humanitarian-development Challenge and Opportunity Challenge in Africa: a Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

Internal displacement is a life changing event that results in the destruction of property, removal of persons from their habitual homes, loss of livelihood, family separation, and susceptibility to physical insecurity of victims during flight and in most instances loss of lives. The challenge with securing durable solutions for displaced-affected populations is that it is often a long-term process that entails resettlement and reintegration as well as ensuing vulnerabilities, while ensuring that IDPs enjoy their rights (socio-economic as well as political) without discrimination related to their displacement. This process is often complex and involves multiple challenges such as restoring the human rights of IDPs who have been affected by their being displaced; addressing their humanitarian needs such as proving them with temporary shelter, food rations and emergency health services; as well addressing their long-term development needs such as ensuring their access to basic services (education and health care), enhancing their self-reliance and resilience capacities through livelihoods. This study aims to make a case for the need for the government of Kenya, humanitarian actors, development actors, international and local NGOs to promote the conceptualization of internal displacement not only as a humanitarian and human rights challenge but also as a development challenge and opportunity. From the findings and analysis, the study concludes that Kenya has been able to enactment a comprehensive legislative framework on protection and assistance of IDPs and affected communities through the enactment of the IDP Act of 2012. This Act has a broad conceptualization of displacement and durable solutions as it mirrors the provisions of the Kampala Convention and the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. The study concludes that is a very positive step for Kenya towards anchoring facilitation of durable solutions and the prevention of internal displacement and protection of IDPs within a comprehensive policy architecture, however the main challenge remains on the implementation of the Act which threatens to scuttle the major gain Kenya has made as far as facilitation of durable solutions for IDPs and affected communities. The study has also found out that there has been a radical paradigm shift in the conceptualization of displacement as a humanitarian and development challenge and opportunity. Varied stakeholders including government officials, development donors and non-governmental practitioners have begun to embrace this conceptualization. However, key challenges still remain as relates to institutional multi-actor response and funding modalities among donors that would enable multi-year funding that incorporates development funding towards addressing internal displacement.