Washington DC, USA – The role of diasporas across the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus from disaster risk reduction and poverty reduction to economic growth has been attracting considerable policy interest. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Africa’s Agenda 2063 for Sustainable Development recognize migrants as “agents of change” and “enablers for development in countries of origin, transit and destination.” As such, the Regional Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM - UN Migration) in the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) in close cooperation with the IOM country office in the United States, convened US-based diaspora associations and EHOA government stakeholders in Washington DC to explore partnerships that will contribute to development in countries of origin.

Key government officials, and diaspora leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda pledged collaboration and cooperation to create opportunities and foster engagement in their respective countries.

“Beyond financial support, the diasporas are also driving innovation and growth in a range of sectors,” said Mohammed Abdiker, IOM Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa. “From technology and entrepreneurship to services, education, agriculture, and healthcare, diasporas are making a significant impact in fields that are critical to our countries.”

Roseline K. Njogu, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya added, “The establishment of the State Department of Diaspora in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a clear indication of the importance the Government of Kenya attaches to diaspora engagement, because of its contribution to our economy through remittances and investment back home. ”

Contributions of diaspora communities that flow across borders are immensely varied and range from skills, knowledge and ideas to cultural capital, finance, and trade links. These contributions benefit not just governments but also private, technical, and academic fields and contribute to greater social equity, peacebuilding efforts and sustainable development.

In 2021, diaspora remitters contributed significantly to the GDP of EHOA countries as follows: Burundi (1.5%), Djibouti (2.4%), Ethiopia (0.6%), Kenya (3.1%), Rwanda (2.3%), Somalia (25.1%), South Sudan (29.8%), Tanzania (0.6%), and Uganda (2.8%). Most funds that are sent to EHOA originate from migrants in North America, Europe, (particularly France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council region are also among sending countries to the EHOA region.

Diasporas also play a key role before, during, and after crises in their countries of origin as well. IOM Washington has expanded its own diaspora engagement efforts to bolster coordination with US-based diasporas and harmonize humanitarian assistance in emergency situations.

“In recognition of the added value diasporas bring to the table, IOM has developed a framework on engaging diaspora organizations into humanitarian response,’ explained Vincent Houver, IOM Chief of Mission in Washington. “Components of the framework have been tested in real life applications through subgrants in Zimbabwe and Tunisia, among other contexts.”

The event was made possible through funding from the United Kingdom’s Federal and Commonwealth Development Office.