UN-Habitat's Housing Approach in the Arab States region. The region is one of the most urbanized in the world, with over 60% of its population living in cities. Urbanization rates are driven by factors like population growth, rural-urban migration, and displacement due to political instability and climate conditions.
The Arab Strategy for Housing and Sustainable Urban Development 2030 identifies various challenges, including high population growth, rural-urban migration, and increasing poverty rates in urban areas. UN-Habitat aims to address these challenges by promoting adequate housing and sustainable urbanization.
The evaluation examined the impact of UN-Habitat's Housing Approach during the periods of 2008-2013 and 2014-2019. The report covers the Arab States region, along with other regional evaluations and in-depth country case studies.
Key findings indicate that the regional housing program is highly relevant and consistent with the UN-Habitat Housing Approach. The program received high ratings on all dimensions assessed, including consistency with country programs, technical assistance, and capacity building. Lessons learned from the Arab States region include the potential of the Housing Approach to benefit vulnerable groups, such as IDPs, refugees, and returnees. Engagement with key stakeholders also enhances policy formulation and implementation. The report recommends actions at policy, strategic, planning, and management levels to strengthen UN-Habitat's impact, knowledge management, advocacy, policy advice, technical assistance, implementation support, and monitoring and evaluation systems.
The evaluation underscores the need to capitalize on UN-Habitat's status and reputation while promoting comprehensive regional strategies and the triple nexus of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected countries. It also emphasizes the importance of evidence-based advocacy and policy advice, effective technical assistance and capacity building, and a focus on cross-cutting issues and poverty reduction. Sustainability, value-added, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems are also vital aspects to enhance the impact of UN-Habitat's Housing Approach in the Arab States region.
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