UN Refugee Chief Hails Ethiopia's 'Makatet' Inclusion Policy as Global Model

Addis Ababa, June 13, 2025 (ENA) -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, today lauded Ethiopia's "Makatet" refugee inclusion policy as a significant stride towards sustainable refugee solutions globally urging the international community to uphold its shared responsibility in supporting refugee-hosting nations like Ethiopia.

Speaking at a high-level event, Grandi emphasized Ethiopia's long-standing generosity and leadership in implementing forward-looking policies for refugees.

The High Commissioner, a frequent visitor to Ethiopia, acknowledged the country's unique position in a troubled region, consistently receiving significant refugee flows.

"Ethiopia has always been, I remember from my very young days when I was a field officer in this region... a very generous host, " he commended.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees also noted about Ethiopia’s evolution of approaches in hosting refugees. 

 

"I have seen not only the generosity continues, but I have also seen a very, very forward-looking policies and approaches towards refugees grow. And I have seen them grow in a very pioneering way," he said.

Grandi highlighted Ethiopia's instrumental role in the establishment of the Global Compact on Refugees in 2018, co-convening the first Global Refugee Forum in 2019.

Ethiopia has been an exemplary nation in applying the principles of the Global Compact, particularly through its inclusive 'Makatet' approach, he stressed.

"When you have this combination of resources and policies, it works. And this is what has happened in Ethiopia and this is what this approach that you call Makatet (inclusion) represents," Grandi affirmed.

The UNHCR commissioner specifically praised the breadth of the Makatet initiative, which extends beyond traditional services like health and education to include work opportunities, proper documentation, digital connectivity, and land allocations for settlements, moving away from conventional camp settings.

 

Grandi commended Ethiopia's "all-of-government" approach to refugee matters, noting the presence of various state ministers at the event.

While acknowledging the many challenges that remain, Grandi underscored the significant progress made, citing the 2019 Proclamation as a global positive example in refugee policies.

He shared a personal experience, recalling his visit to Melkadida in Ethiopia as one of his "brightest moments" in nearly ten years as High Commissioner. "

Melkadida is an extraordinary experiment in new approaches, on how to deal with refugees while supporting the host communities,  he stated.

The High Commissioner concluded by urging the international community to uphold its shared responsibility in supporting refugee-hosting nations like Ethiopia, emphasizing the need for continued financial and development support.

 

He particularly highlighted the World Bank's crucial role in this new track of aid, integrating refugee support into broader development initiatives.

"There is here a new track of aid that is emerging, which I think is very, very important," Grandi observed, emphasizing that the "nexus" between humanitarian and development aid is actively happening in Ethiopia.

He encouraged Ethiopia to share the 'Makatet' model with other countries and apply similar inclusive approaches to address its challenges of internal displacement.

Finally, he expressed his profound gratitude to Ethiopia: "Thank you very much, Ethiopia, and when I say Ethiopia, I say all of it, not just the government. Thank you very much, Ethiopia, for what you're doing".