Community Stabilization – An Approach for Facilitating Progress Towards Durable Solutions and Operationalizing the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus: Lessons from Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Somalia

Authored by Sam Grundy and Sarah Zingg, this Migration Research Series paper discusses the role of the community stabilization approach to transition away from humanitarian crises in order to lay the ground for attaining durable solutions for displaced persons and, ultimately, operationalize the humanitarian–development–peace nexus. The paper focuses on the multidimensional destabilizing impacts of displacement crises and the factors limiting opportunities for communities to transition away from acute vulnerability and aid dependence, and defines the community stabilization approach as a means to overcome these challenges. It then presents the community stabilization core programming principles framed through a community-based planning methodology – a practical community-driven, local government-led process intended to support the transition of impacted communities from displacement crises through improved stability – drawing on examples from Zimbabwe, Somalia and Ethiopia.