An initiative to strengthen social cohesion between refugees and host communities has taken root in Garissa County, bringing together diverse stakeholders for collaborative peacebuilding efforts.
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Kenya Programme, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), local authorities, and community leaders, has launched the "Integrating Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion into Refugee Management" project with an inclusive community kick-off meeting.
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Kenya Programme explained that the engagement session gathered refugees, host community representatives, women and youth leaders, elders, and government officials to establish a shared vision for sustainable peace.
Participants worked to identify key conflict drivers while exploring locally led solutions tailored to Garissa's unique context.
Discussions highlighted the community's strong commitment to leading peacebuilding processes that address displacement-related tensions.
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Kenya Programme said the initiative marks a strategic shift toward empowering affected communities as active agents of change rather than passive recipients of aid.
By focusing on localized solutions and inclusive partnerships, the project aims to transform traditional refugee management approaches into opportunities for mutual understanding and conflict prevention.
The Garissa meeting demonstrated particular enthusiasm from women and youth leaders, whose participation is seen as crucial for long-term success.