IIED: Participatory Forum on Protracted Displacement in an Urban World
IIED: Participatory Forum on Protracted Displacement in an Urban World

December 2023

Navigating the complexities of protracted displacement, our urban-focused study spans four countries: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Jordan. As part of a global consortium, Samuel Hall collaborates with academic and practice partners for in-depth research.

Our extensive engagement, including five participatory forums in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by displaced populations. Through a consensus-building approach, we've crafted a city note presenting key findings and recommendations. The project delves into crucial aspects like economic well-being, access to basic services, psychosocial well-being, and perceived safety.

The insights gained contribute to policy recommendations, emphasising local integration, employment opportunities, legal documentation, and infrastructure improvements. Our commitment extends beyond data collection; we aim to sustain the participatory forums, fostering collaboration among government authorities, NGOs, and UN/INGOs for lasting impact.

Read the city note here

Find the PowerPoint for the Closing Event: Participatory Forum on Protracted Displacement in an Urban World here

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Middle East &North Africa, East & Southern AfricaSamuel HallParticipatory Forum, IIED, migration, displacement, economic assessment, policy, UN
Equal Partnerships: African Intermediary Cities as Actors and Partners in Urban Migration Governance. City Report: Sfax, Tunisa
Equal Partnerships: African Intermediary Cities as Actors and Partners in Urban Migration Governance. City Report: Sfax, Tunisa

November 2023

The Equal Partnerships project led by Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Centre for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg, Research on Migration, Displacement, and Integration (MFI), United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa), German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and Samuel Hall with support from Robert Bosch Stiftung explores the opportunities and challenges of collaborative, urban migration governance in African intermediary cities.

As part of this project, Samuel Hall developed a city report exploring urban migration governance in Sfax, Tunisia.

Tunisia’s second-largest city, Sfax is an important economic centre connecting the north and south of the country. While the city experiences rural-urban, inter-regional, and international migration; the  increasingly difficult socio-economic situation, financial constraints, gender dynamics, the absence of a national migration strategy as well as the politicisation of mobility issues has resulted in unique implications on migration dynamics in Sfax. 

To create an overview of activities, partnerships, and cooperation gaps, the Equal Partnerships project developed participatory field research and organised a local workshop with the support of the municipality of Sfax in January and February 2023. 

The case study situates Sfax in the national and regional migration context, presents the outcomes of the stakeholder mapping, identifies opportunities and challenges of cooperative action on migration and concludes with concrete policy recommendations for strengthening multi-stakeholder action on urban migration and displacement.

Read the city report here
Find other city reports, developed as part of this project here.

Read our policy paper here.

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Middle East &North AfricaSamuel HallEqual Partnerships, Tunisia, Governance, case study, Urban Migration, urban displacement
Equal Partnerships: African Intermediary Cities as Actors and Partners in Urban Migration Governance. City Report: Garissa- Kenya
Equal Partnerships: African Intermediary Cities as Actors and Partners in Urban Migration Governance. City Report: Garissa- Kenya

November 2023

The Equal Partnerships project led by Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Centre for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg, Research on Migration, Displacement, and Integration (MFI), United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa), German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and Samuel Hall with support from Robert Bosch Stiftung explores the opportunities and challenges of collaborative, urban migration governance in African intermediary cities.

As part of this project, Samuel Hall developed a city report exploring urban migration governance in Garissa, Kenya. Home to approximately 500,000 inhabitants, Garissa is a major economic hub. It holds significance in urban migration and displacement, especially in relation to regional conflicts, economic dynamics, climate change, and environmental decline.

 We  conducted a stakeholder mapping exercise to take stock of actors addressing migration and displacement . Further, to explore partnerships and cooperation gaps and opportunities, we conducted participatory field research with the county of Garissa and organised a local workshop in June 2022 and February 2023. Our research found that multiple actors cooperate on migration and displacement-related issues. 

This report presents the outcomes of the stakeholder mapping, identifies opportunities and challenges of cooperative action on migration, and concludes with concrete policy recommendations for strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships to address migration in the urban context.

Read the city report here

Find other city reports developed as part of this project here.

Read our policy paper here.

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East & Southern AfricaSamuel HallEqual Partnerships, report, Migration, displacement, Kenya, Urban
MMCC: A Social Circus in Afghanistan - Building Courage & Growth in Afghan Children, Youth and their Communities
MMCC: A Social Circus in Afghanistan - Building Courage & Growth in Afghan Children, Youth and their Communities

October 2023

This year, Samuel Hall embarked on identifying interventions to scale and sustain in Afghanistan. What are initiatives that can be sustained, in a context of limited funding and widespread need? Our team found that social circuses are the right answer to building alternative education pathways, particularly for underserved communities, and social cohesion across Afghanistan.

Founded in 2002, The Mobile Mini-Circus for Children (MMCC). MMCC and its local partner, the Afghan Educational Children’s Circus (AECC) has expanded into a countrywide education program focusing on teaching children to lead.

The MMCC is a reflection of what children in Afghanistan need today – a society that is suffering its most urgent humanitarian crisis as of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 and lacking in resources for both education and entertainment. It is also a reflection of what could have been in Afghanistan for the last 20 years, and the potential of what could be in the future.

Samuel Hall’s pro-bono evaluation of Mobile Mini Circus for Children measured its impact across various areas. We found that through its activities, MMCC has created an impact by empowering and encouraging youth leadership; inclusion & integration of Displaced Communities; facilitating trust and community building  and encouraging inclusive and safe spaces for young girls and women

Download Full Evaluation Here
Download Factsheets Here

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Samuel HallMMCC, Education, Social Circus, Afghanistan, education, Children
UNICEF Innocenti - As They Move: Child and Youth Experiences of Migration, Displacement and Return in Afghanistan
UNICEF Innocenti - As They Move: Child and Youth Experiences of Migration, Displacement and Return in Afghanistan

October 2023

What has happened to the thousands of children who fled Afghanistan since the fall of Kabul 2021, and what awaits those forced to return? At Samuel Hall, we have been documenting post-return outcomes for 14 years. This latest collaboration with UNICEF Innocenti seeks to amplify the voices of Afghan children who recount difficult journeys, hardship, and neglect as well as resilience.

Thousands of Afghan children have been forced to return to Afghanistan to a situation either similar to or worse than the one they left. One 17-year-old boy we spoke to said, “To me, coming back to Afghanistan means struggling with life and living a poor life because there are no employment opportunities and a proper governance system to support you.”

Samuel Hall led the data collection at one of the most challenging times in the country’s history - after the fall of Kabul - and a team of scholars authored the final report. Our combined efforts underscore the urgent need for child-sensitive interventions and a call to uphold the rights of Afghan child migrants, first and foremost as children who need access to safer pathways both in and out of Afghanistan. No child, no adult, should be forced to return to Afghanistan at this time. UNHCR has made clear that those who do not wish to return to Afghanistan should not be forced to return.

Download Full Report Here

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Samuel HallAs They Move, Child Migration, Reintergration, Afghanistan, Migration
IOM, UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, NRC: Documentation and Legal Identity in Afghanistan
IOM, UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, NRC: Documentation and Legal Identity in Afghanistan

August 2023

Access to legal identity is essential for Afghans to overcome mobility and protection challenges. Yet, the majority of Afghans do not possess passports or other vital civil documents like tazkiras. Since August 2021, it has become even harder to obtain identification and civil registration documents due to rising costs, office closures, staff shortages, and confusing procedures.

To assess the current civil documentation and identity management landscape in Afghanistan and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the protection of all Afghans across the country, Samuel Hall worked with the International Organization for Migration,UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, and NRC and the Interagency Working Group on Legal Identity (TWG) to publish a research study that provides the latest updates on this issue of rights in Afghanistan. 

The study investigated civil documentation and identity management in Afghanistan, with a focus on accessibility to essential services and the acceptance of legal documents within Afghan society. It also aimed to identify opportunities for addressing these challenges and supporting the Afghan population.

Download Executive Summary Here

Download Full Report Here

Download Research Brief here

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Samuel HallAfghanistan, Civil rights, UNICEF, civil documentation
IOM : Mapping and research to strengthen protection and assistance measures for migrants with diverse SOGIESC
IOM : Mapping and research to strengthen protection and assistance measures for migrants with diverse SOGIESC

August 2023

The study was commissioned by IOM under the Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions initiative (COMPASS) to Samuel Hall who conducted a study in the Asia & Pacific region, European Economic Area, MENA, South America and West & Central Africa to support the development of inclusive measures for migrants with diverse SOGIESC to benefit from protection programming across their migration journey, as well as in return and reintegration. 

The results are clear: Migrants with diverse SOGIESC have unique protection needs. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge, services, and appropriate responses for these migrants, partly due to stereotyped expectations about their lifestyles and behaviours. The study also indicates that transgenders are the most vulnerable across different stages of the migration cycle.

Urgent action is needed! Through our report, we are pushing for inclusive shelters, accessible healthcare, and protection procedures to ensure NO ONE gets left behind. We are also encouraging good practices like partnerships between international organisations, local municipalities and civil society groups should be scaled up to ensure support and care for the community.

Download Executive Summary Here

Download Global Report Here

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Samuel HallSouth america, Central africa, Migrants, Migrations, Community focused
War Child UK: Children in Distress - An Afghan Child Focused Needs Assessment
War Child UK: Children in Distress - An Afghan Child Focused Needs Assessment

July 2023

Samuel Hall in collaboration with War Child Afghanistan conducted a needs assessment in Herat, Ghor and Badghis to contribute towards closing the knowledge gaps on the situation of children’s rights and well-being in western Afghanistan. The study brings to light, new evidence – including from children – on the challenges they face in previously inaccessible districts.

The findings show that children need informed and trained advocates to access support and overcome negative coping mechanisms. It is also important for households to address risks and bad choices while also creating safe spaces for children. The research underlined the potential for informal forms of support within the household. Home-centred models of support hold a potential for broader reach benefiting at risk children. It further suggests the need for safer home environments to facilitate these.

We suggest integrating child protection services into existing health and other programming, with a focus on child-friendly PSS work. There is an urgent need to influence local decision makers and build their understanding of children’s rights and also revive the Child Protection Action Network (CPAN).

Download Research Brief Here

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Samuel HallAfghanistan, children, CPAN, Child rights
British Red Cross: Onward Bound — Evaluating Cash and Voucher Assistance for Migrants on Sahel's Migration Trail
British Red Cross: Onward Bound — Evaluating Cash and Voucher Assistance for Migrants on Sahel's Migration Trail

July 2023

Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) can play a significant role in migration programming by providing support and empowering individuals or families who are migrating to meet their needs.

Recognising the value of granting migrants greater autonomy in meeting their immediate needs, humanitarian actors are increasingly turning to cash assistance. Its flexibility has proven effective in supporting migrants' ever-changing circumstances, but its use remains limited.

To better understand the opportunities and challenges of integrating CVA into migration programming, Samuel Hall, in collaboration with the British Red Cross, conducted a study focused on transit migration in the Sahel region—Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania.

Despite their relevance, targeted cash assistance programmes for transit migrants are scarce, resulting in limited impact on their livelihoods. This is partly due to the perception that CVA would influence migrants’ decisions - a perception that evidence collected as part of this research strongly debunks.

To address these challenges, a shift is urgently needed from a country-based approach to a journey-based approach in planning CVA interventions in the Sahel region.

Download Report Here - EN, FR

Download Annexes Here - EN, FR

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Migration & DisplacementSamuel Hallevaluation, Redcross, Financial infrustructure
MIGNEX: Comparative Experiences of Transit Migration Management
MIGNEX: Comparative Experiences of Transit Migration Management

June 2023

As part of the MIGNEX (Aligning Migration Management and the Migration–Development Nexus) consortium, Samuel Hall contributed to a background paper on ‘Comparative experiences of transit migration management’. 

The text engages critically with the concept of transit migration and identifies key patterns of transit migration management at global, regional and country level. Through comparative analysis it examines the transit migration routes and policies of four countries: Turkey, Tunisia, Ethiopia and Pakistan.

According to Samuel Hall’s findings, transit migrants face a number of challenges, including exploitation, violence, detention, and lack of access to basic services.

 As a way forward the background paper invites more research into discerning  the impact of transit migration management on individual countries, on state and non-state actors, and on migrants themselves along migration routes. 

Devising policy suggestions that will lead to a fairer distribution of responsibility to address protection needs in so-called ‘transit countries’ is also crucial.

Download Here

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Samuel HallEurope, transit migration, Turkey, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Migration management, policy
IOM: Monitoring the Reintegration of Trafficking Survivors - Study & Toolkit
IOM: Monitoring the Reintegration of Trafficking Survivors - Study & Toolkit

June 2023

Samuel Hall in collaboration with IOM - UN Migration – presents findings from a study undertaken with 100 trafficking survivors and 40 individuals across Bangladesh, Nigeria, Republic of Moldova and Tunisia with ties to or expertise in reintegration programming. Through this study, we introduce a toolkit to monitor, and not evaluate, trafficking survivors’ reintegration experiences. 

This monitoring report and toolkit aim to identify factors impacting the reintegration of trafficking victims. The report provides best practices for effective support provision, capturing individual understandings and reintegration priorities. The toolkit equips organisations with tools to strengthen the evidence base on successful reintegration, addressing a critical gap in supporting VoTs.

Download Here

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Samuel HallILO, trafficking, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Republic of Moldova, Tunisia, human trafficking
MIGNEX: The Implications of (Mis)Managing Transit Migration
MIGNEX: The Implications of (Mis)Managing Transit Migration

May 2023

Samuel Hall conducted research with MIGNEX (Aligning Migration Management and the Migration–Development Nexus)  a collaborative research effort to tackle the challenges of global migration with a long-term vision for better outcomes.

According to Samuel Hall’s findings, Tunisia's migration policies need to be more comprehensive in order to effectively manage migration and promote development. The report, found that Tunisia's current migration policies are fragmented and lack a clear vision for how to manage migration in a way that benefits both Tunisia and its migrants.

The paper authored by Herve Nicolle recommends developing a comprehensive migration strategy that takes into account all aspects of migration, including economic, social, and security dimensions and strengthening the capacity of Tunisia's migration management institutions to effectively implement migration policies. 


Download Here

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Samuel HallTunisia, migration policies, destination countries
FAO: Toolkit & Global Lessons Learned for the Sustainable Reintegration of Return Migrants in Rural Areas
FAO: Toolkit & Global Lessons Learned for the Sustainable Reintegration of Return Migrants in Rural Areas

April 2023

Samuel Hall conducted a research study for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to undertake a two-part effort to inform policy and programming on sustainable reintegration in rural areas in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The two outputs of this collaboration include the present lessons learned report that offers the framework, and the associated Rural Reintegration Toolkit that presents the tools for practitioners to improve policy and programming on sustainable reintegration in rural areas.

The aim of the global lessons learned report is to provide a roadmap for collective action in support of returnees in rural areas and rural communities across a range of development settings. While the toolkit aims to support local stakeholders and actors in agrifood systems to integrate rural returnees into programmes and other initiatives to develop the agrifood sector. It provides resources to design and implement programmes and projects to facilitate the reintegration of returnees in rural areas. 

Download Global Lessons Learned Report Here

Download Toolkit Here 

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Global, Implementation Research, Migration & DisplacementSamuel HallPandemic, COVID-19, Reintegration, Rural areas, agricultural sector
ADSP: Research and Learning Partnership for Trends Analyses Related to Afghan Displacement (2022 - 2023)
ADSP: Research and Learning Partnership for Trends Analyses Related to Afghan Displacement (2022 - 2023)

April 2023

Despite the reduction in conflict after August 2021, many drivers of displacement in Afghanistan persist or have been exacerbated, leading to Afghans moving in search of protection or remaining in protracted displacement. At the same time, discussions led by the De facto Authorities (DfA) on durable solutions continue to centre on returns. 

ADSP in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council and with the support of Samuel Hall have produced a brief that seeks to highlight prospects for local integration in Kandahar, one of the urban areas in Afghanistan that remains a hope for protection for many displaced. 

Samuel Hall in partnership with ADSP have also produced an Expert Commentary Series that seeks to analyse under-explored elements of protracted displacement on the Afghanistan displacement axis. 

Local integration has long been championed as one of three possible durable solutions to displacement. However, despite a concerted push for increased recognition of, and support for local integration, it is frequently overlooked by governments and policy makers, who favour return as the preferred solution. 

Download Full Brief: Local Integration for IDPs in Kandahar? Insights from the field

Download Full Brief: Local Integration? Insights from the field, and from a local NGO working on improving the resilience of displacement affected communities

Download Expert Commentary #1: Afghan refugees in Pakistan – Protracted displacement or protracted settlement

Download Expert Commentary #2: Rethinking Durable Solutions in Peri-Urban Areas in Pakistan

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Samuel HallAfghanistan, Danish Refugee, local integration
Education Commission & Aga Khan Foundation - The Innovative Pedagogies Project - Kenya Country Brief
Education Commission & Aga Khan Foundation - The Innovative Pedagogies Project - Kenya Country Brief

April 2023

The Innovative Pedagogies Project (IPP) – spearheaded by Education Commission and funded by the Lego Foundation – serves as a response to the Save Our Future campaign, championing the call to make education inclusive, engaging, and adaptive in Kenya. 

Samuel Hall conducted a Rapid Research (observations and interviews) at system, school, and classroom levels, and Policy Dialogues with stakeholders. The Policy Dialogues discussed the Rapid Research findings to inform policy recommendations.

Download Full Report Here

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Samuel HallIPP, Education, Aga Khan, Policy recommendations
ILO: A Road to Decent Jobs for All Afghans
ILO: A Road to Decent Jobs for All Afghans

April 2023

Samuel Hall conducted a final independent evaluation to promote accountability and learning within ILO’s teams which undertook the programmatic interventions for R2DJ4ALL. The evaluation aimed to understand why and to what extent intended and unintended results were achieved and analysed the implications of the results.  A critical approach was adopted to conduct the evaluation as previous learnings from R2J were also factored into the design and methodology of the evaluation. 

According to Samuel Hall’s findings, R2DJ4ALL is considered relatively successful in coherence and market systems development, creating safe employment opportunities and effectively reaching gender objectives. The project was effective in achieving its objectives with positive changes in income and working conditions. However, its efficiency needs significant improvement due to issues with fund allocation. There is a need to provide more support to traditional and non-traditional businesses with innovative and technological approaches and initiate deeper collaboration with different stakeholders to achieve systemic changes and sustainability of the enterprises. 

Download Executive Summary Here

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Samuel HallAfghanistan, women, ILO, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
USAID: Evidence of Impact Study on Livelihoods
USAID: Evidence of Impact Study on Livelihoods

March 2023

Samuel Hall conducted a study to identify key issues impacting the effectiveness of CVA, including digital modalities, and formulate recommendations to improve it. This study focused on the International Rescue Committee (IRC)’s CVA programming in the Diffa region, Niger. 

This study was commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)-funded Strengthening Capacity in Agriculture, Livelihoods and Environment (SCALE) Award. 


Download Full Report Here

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Samuel HallCash and Voucher Assistance, Niger, gender dynamics, Financial literacy
MIGNEX: Migration Relevant Policies in Tunisia
MIGNEX: Migration Relevant Policies in Tunisia

February 2023

Samuel Hall interviewed 14 policy experts between May and October 2021. as a part of our research with MIGNEX (Aligning Migration Management and the Migration–Development Nexus)  a collaborative research effort to tackle the challenges of global migration with a long-term vision for better outcomes. Expert interviews highlighted that there is no official migration policy in Tunisia.

The paper co-authored by Samuel Hall analyses migration management regulations and practices in Tunisia and identifies opportunities for improved approaches, drawing upon the data collected from the MIGNEX policy review.


Read Here

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Samuel HallCOVID-19, Libya, Tunisia, MIGNEX, MIGRATION
IOM: Returning to Debt - Examining the Effects of Indebtedness on Reintegration Outcomes
IOM: Returning to Debt - Examining the Effects of Indebtedness on Reintegration Outcomes

February 2023

Samuel Hall in partnership with EU- IOM Knowledge Management Hub and the University of Sussex funded by the European Union conducted a study that builds on previous research on debt and reintegration by analysing migrant returnees’ and their households’ experiences with debt in five countries - Bangladesh, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ghana, and Iraq.

Our findings show that debt impacts all aspects of the migration cycle and experience and can take diverse forms. Debt and indebtedness are common in migrants’ and returnees’ lives and are not inherently negative for reintegration, but specific debt characteristics can be. There is a need to advocate to reduce costs of migration while also making structural legal changes to ease the burden of indebtedness on migrants.

Download Executive Summary Here

Download Full Report Here

Listen to the ‘Returnees' indebtedness: Addressing barriers to sustainable reintegration’ episode on the Exploring Migrant Reintegration Podcast

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Samuel HallDEBT, Reintegration, EU-IOM, University of Sussex, Bangladesh, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ghana, Iraq, Migration
REF: South Sudan’s Decades of Displacement: Understanding Return and Questioning Reintegration
REF: South Sudan’s Decades of Displacement: Understanding Return and Questioning Reintegration

February 2023

Samuel Hall in collaboration with Research and Evidence Facility (REF) in this study, explores the experiences of displacement, return and reintegration among South Sudanese refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The overall objective of the research is to understand the factors influencing displacement within and from South Sudan, and return to South Sudan from refugee hosting areas. The study proposes to integrate provisions for cross border mobility, invest in area-based, community-based and locally driven peace and development initiatives among others.

Download the Full Report Here

Download the Policy Brief: Leveraging Cross-Border Cooperation Here

Download the Policy Brief: Youth Conflict Here

Download the Policy Brief: Gendered Experiences Here

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Samuel HallSouth sudan, displacement, REF, COVID-19