ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum / 4th PrepCom FFD4 Conference: Side Event - Addressing the Growing Gap in Financing for Solutions to Internal Displacement

29 April 2026 | ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up / Fourth Preparatory Committee for FFD4

The side event explored how to close the growing financing gap for development-oriented solutions to internal displacement. It brought together governments, development partners and the private sector to discuss how public, private and market-based financing can complement each other and how to unlock larger-scale investments in government-led solutions.
Speakers included Catalina Devandas, Representative of the Director General and Senior Director for Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications, IOM (Moderator); Corli Pretorius, Head of Research, Analytics, Learning and Innovation, UNDP Crisis Bureau; H.E. Dr. Abbas Al-Fatlawi, Chargé d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations; H.E. Mr. Mohamed Rabi A. Yusuf, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations; Andrés Rodríguez Durán, Head of Multilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia; Jade Ndiaye, Senior Operations Officer (Forced Displacement), Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group, World Bank; Suma Swaminathan, Independent Expert on Private Markets Impact Investment; Sivanka Dhanapala, Director, UNHCR New York Office; and Lasia Bloss, Head of Humanitarian Section, Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations.

The discussion underscored that closing the financing gap requires government-led solutions to be integrated into national development plans, budgets and broader financing strategies. Participants highlighted the importance of domestic resource mobilization and concessional financing, alongside catalytic, blended and market-based approaches to mobilize private investment.

The session also emphasized the importance of working through national systems, strengthening data and evidence, and ensuring that financing supports long-term investments in housing, infrastructure, livelihoods, social protection and inclusive public services. It called for internal displacement to be more systematically reflected in the broader financing for development agenda and for stronger partnerships to move from commitments to solutions at scale.

Organizers: UNDP, IOM, UNHCR, Global Solutions Hub on Internal Displacement, Germany

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