Understanding nexus programming: An innovative approach from Ethiopia

By Vongaishe Changamire, Education Technical Specialist and Mirette Bahgat Hannallah, Grant Manager, World Vision Canada

Northern Ethiopia has been shattered by conflict and violence since war broke out in Tigray in November 2020 between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian federal government. For two years, Tigray and the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara were completely cut off from the rest of the country. Thousands of people lost their lives, and over five million people were forced out of their homes and displaced in other regions in Ethiopia.

In a recent visit conducted by World Vision Canada to Tigray, a group of internally displaced residents and participants of a World Vision humanitarian project recalled the horrors of war that stripped them of their homes, their livelihoods and their sense of safety. Many women and girls witnessed sexual violence. Parents gave their girls to early marriage to protect them from mandatory conscription. Local staff recounted how they survived off food assistance during the war as they lost all access to resources.

Yet there was a consensus that after the war ended in November 2022, people wanted to return to their homes and rebuild what was destroyed. The immediate need to access food and shelter coexisted with the need to resume schools, rehabilitate the infrastructure and get the region back on its feet while addressing the underlying ethnic and political conflicts through peacebuilding initiatives.

Responding to these multilayered priorities in a complex crisis setting such as in Northern Ethiopia entailed implementing a Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Triple Nexus approach to programming that provided the flexibility to shift gears and adapt to the cyclical nature of conflict and fragility. This moved away from the traditional development-humanitarian dichotomy approach to international assistance programming. Instead, it addressed the growing need to provide immediate access to urgent needs such as clean water, food and shelter while rebuilding the infrastructure and enhancing people’s and systems’ resilience.

Unpacking the nexus framework

Nexus programming represents a dynamic shift in humanitarian and development efforts, to address immediate and long-term crises with greater flexibility and context sensitivity. Unlike traditional programs, which often follow linear and sequential approaches, nexus programming integrates various sectors to optimize resource allocation and promote resilience in affected communities. This approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of humanitarian assistance, development and peacebuilding efforts, offering more holistic solutions to complex crises. While the concept faces challenges such as institutional and funding barriers, its importance is underscored by its potential to foster more adaptive and integrated responses. Ultimately, the success of nexus programming depends on the practical insights and actions of local actors, who must navigate shifting government priorities and narratives to address evolving crises effectively.

The necessity of agility

Reflecting on their experiences, World Vision Ethiopia’s nexus team has gained profound insights into the importance of funding flexibility and availability. They have emphasized the vital role of a flexible, multi-year funding structure in enabling better adaptation to the constantly evolving circumstances of fragile and humanitarian contexts. This flexibility fosters meaningful programmatic connections with other organizations and departments and facilitates broader stakeholder consultation.

However, the team has encountered challenges stemming from the rigid allocation of funding across sectors, which impedes the responsiveness essential for successful nexus programming. A glaring example lies in allocating funds between humanitarian and development sectors, where fixed percentages need to accommodate shifting needs. The linear approach to addressing these needs, with sequential implementation of humanitarian and development activities, underscores the inadequacy of traditional sector-based funding models in meeting the dynamic nature of conflict and contextual changes. An agile and comprehensive approach is crucial for effective nexus programming in the Northern Ethiopian conflict, where sectors seamlessly transition between humanitarian and development realms.

The path forward

Several key recommendations emerged to effectively advance the implementation of the nexus approach. Firstly, there’s a pressing need to explore adaptive funding structures with donors. This involves granting implementing partners autonomy to make swift decisions in response to contextual shifts, bypassing cumbersome hierarchical approval processes. Additionally, adopting multiyear timelines for nexus funding allows for thorough contextual analysis, iterative learning and comprehensive implementation of recovery, development and peace-building components. Collaboration between donors and implementing partners is vital to mitigate the hindrances of top-down approaches. Co-creation of policies or frameworks that align humanitarian assistance and development sectors is essential for resolving conflicting priorities and operational methods. Shifting toward non-binary, flexible data monitoring systems allows for continuous learning and adaptation, facilitating effective nexus implementation.

Advocating for funding that promotes multi-sectoral integration instead of segregated funds enables more versatile interventions tailored to multifaceted issues and needs. On a programmatic level, allocating resources for a robust design phase ensures alignment of nexus concepts across stakeholders. It is imperative to actively engage with government officials, community leaders, and participants and integrate their perspectives into project frameworks. Flexible platforms within monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems support ongoing adaptation. Lastly, integrating peacebuilding and community cohesion components into future nexus projects, especially in conflict-affected areas, contributes to sustainable outcomes.

We strongly encourage stakeholders to embrace a coordinated and inclusive approach to nexus programming. By fostering collaboration and adaptability across sectors, we can better address communities’ complex challenges in crisis. This inclusive approach ensures that diverse perspectives are considered and integrated into programming efforts, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

To explore the topic further, we invite you to consult the detailed nexus report , which provides valuable insights and additional data.