Social Protection Systems : For Forcibly Displaced Populations and Host Communities in Africa’s Great Lakes Region

Overview & Synopsis

This report analyzes the role of social protection as a key development response to the needs of forcibly displaced populations (FDPs) in the Great Lakes Region (GLR) - specifically refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees (both IDPS and refugees) and affected host communities in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda. It explores how national social protection systems in the GLR support displaced groups and host communities, and how development-oriented approaches are a cornerstone in protracted displacement situations. The report assesses the unique challenges faced by refugees, IDPs, returnees, and host communities throughout the displacement cycle, examines how national systems address their vulnerabilities, and considers future adaptations. It also identifies policy and operational opportunities for national governments, development partners, and humanitarian actors to coordinate responses and enable a transition to sustainable, government-owned development systems. The report is structured as follows: section 1 presents introduction. Section 2 outlines the conceptual framework; section 3 examines FDP trends and challenges; section 4 analyzes the role of social protection systems; section 5 presents the main support challenges; and section 6 offers concluding remarks and policy recommendations.