By: Binyam Alemayehu

International organizations are commending Ethiopia for its progressive and coordinated approach to managing forced displacement. As Africa's third-largest refugee-hosting country, providing sanctuary to over one million people, Ethiopia has been recognized for shifting its strategy from a traditional, humanitarian-led response to a more sustainable, development-driven model.

"Ethiopia should be lauded for its more sustainable, government-led development approach, which aims to provide refugees with greater autonomy and opportunities," Matt Stephens, the World Bank representative, told participants of the National Dialogue & Knowledge-exchange on Development Response to Forced Displacement in Ethiopia workshop that kicked off in Bishoftu town.

The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) pitched in the accolades, saying that Ethiopia's holistic and innovative approach has gone a long way to create an enabling environment for refugees.

''IGAD is committed to ensuring that refugees are contributors to national development,'' Abebaw Bihonegne, IGAD's Head of Mission in Ethiopia, pledged.

Ethiopia hosts refugees from 34 nations, the bulk of whom are Somalians, Sudanese, South Sudanese, and Eritreans.

For her part, Refugees & Returnees Service (RRS) Director Teyiba Hassan hammered out the significance of the Multi-Sectoral Inclusive Approach (Makatet) Roadmap by way of creating sustainable livelihoods for refugees.

Running until August 15, the event is expected to enhance synergy and coordination among stakeholders under Ethiopia's ''Whole-of-Government'' approach.