Ethiopia's Makatet Roadmap: No 2-Year Gap for Refugee Socio-Economic Inclusion

• The Government of Ethiopia has launched the Makatet Roadmap, a national framework that shifts policy from temporary camp relief to socio-economic inclusion of refugees.
• The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia commended the country's efforts to address recurring crises through sustainable solutions.
• More than 1,000 aid workers have been killed globally over the past three years while performing their duties.

The Makatet Roadmap is a result of partnership between the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), the UNHCR, and regional bodies.

The Government of Ethiopia has demonstrated its commitment to humanitarian action by expanding resilience-building programs, supporting durable solutions for displaced populations, and advancing refugee inclusion through the Makatet Roadmap. Launched in June 2026, the Makatet Roadmap is a national framework that shifts policy from temporary camp relief to socio-economic inclusion of refugees into national education, healthcare, legal documentation, and labor markets alongside host communities. This approach has been commended by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Ozonnia Ojielo, who highlighted the country's efforts to address recurring crises through sustainable solutions. The Makatet Roadmap is a result of partnership between the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), the UNHCR, and regional bodies.

Despite their crucial role in delivering life-saving assistance to communities affected by crises, humanitarian workers continue to face violence, insecurity, and obstruction. In the past three years, more than 1,000 aid workers, including 15 in Ethiopia, have been killed globally while performing their duties. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator emphasized the need for a renewed shared commitment to solidarity, protection, and partnership to safeguard humanitarian workers and support vulnerable communities. Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commissioner, Shiferaw Teklemariam, stressed the importance of strong cooperation among stakeholders at various levels to protect humanitarian workers.

The Makatet Roadmap's focus on socio-economic inclusion of refugees is a significant step towards creating opportunities for all. By integrating refugees into national education, healthcare, legal documentation, and labor markets alongside host communities, the government aims to address the root causes of displacement and promote sustainable solutions. The UNHCR and regional bodies have partnered with the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) to implement this framework, which has been commended by the international community for its innovative approach to addressing humanitarian crises.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the Makatet Roadmap's focus on refugee inclusion, which may impact their clients' businesses or operations in Ethiopia, particularly those related to labor markets, education, healthcare, and legal documentation.

Source: Original reporting via UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia