Berdaale Strategic Urban Plan for Durable Solutions to Displacement

The displacement crisis in Somalia is a longstanding problem exacerbated by natural disasters, floods, droughts, and continued conflicts throughout many parts of the country. The persistent influx of displaced persons continues to impose challenges on urban areas while hindering social, economic, and environmental development. The issues extend beyond just humanitarian concerns. Cities and towns in Somalia must quickly absorb large numbers of newcomers, putting pressure on the existing resources and often leading to the creation of informal settlements that only perpetuate displacement and inequality by leaving IDPs in crowded and precarious conditions.

The Berdaale Strategic Urban Plan for Durable Solutions to Displacement was elaborated through a partnership between UN-Habitat and the Danwadaag Consortium, led by IOM. It aims to support cities and local authorities in enabling durable solutions for displaced-affected communities (DACs) and trigger long-term city development through inclusive, displacement-sensitive, and sustainable urban planning processes.

The report is a first step toward challenging the status quo in Somalia by shifting from humanitarian and emergency interventions to more permanent responses to displacement in terms of land tenure, housing provision, livelihood opportunities, infrastructure delivery, and basic services accessibility. Furthermore, it provides a clear roadmap and framework to facilitate decision-making regarding potential urban development actions and attract capital investments to implement specific interventions.