Hargeisa was the town in the region where caravans of traders would bring the harga or animal hide to cure it and export it. The city’s tradition as a place of transit, settling, and trade is still vivid today. Over the past three decades, thousands of migrants have settled here.

Unlike ongoing unconstructive rhetoric towards migrants in receiving communities, Hargeisa stands out because of its welcoming stance. Whether in the form of a settlement for displaced people, a primary school, a hospital, or in the streets, migrants are welcomed.

Hargeisans’ openness may be due to the fact that most migrants come from Ethiopia and Yemen, two places where culture and traditions are historically linked to this place—aren’t other places with similar commonalities divided by beautiful fences and walls?

Regardless of contexts and of the many social, economic, and political challenges that shape Hargeisa, there is a solid case study going on that international organizations are overlooking. It is a good time for them to focus more on the ground, including Hargeisa’s social components, and less time where policies are designed.