Countries: Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Livelihood Highlights UNHCR and its partners support livelihood interventions in Alemwach and Aftit settlements to strengthen refugees’ self-reliance, economic inclusion, and resilience while promoting shared economic opportunities with host communities. Interventions focus on skills development, business and financial literacy training, agricultural support, productive asset provision, cash assistance, and strengthening access to financial services and markets. In Alemwach, both refugees and host community have benefited from livelihood initiatives implemented through World Bank-funded projects and partner organizations. Key interventions include the Refugee and Host Community Integration through Safety Net (RHISN) programme, which combines public works, savings, and business development support; the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP), which promotes economic inclusion through Common Interest Groups and community infrastructure investments; and partner-led activities by RaDO and ORDA that support savings groups, microenterprises, vocational skills development, and income-generating activities. Through UNHCR direct investments and partnerships, both refugees and host community benefited from livelihood support aimed at fostering long-term economic self-sufficiency in Aftit. Interventions include the provision of agricultural inputs and livestock, productive assets such as tractors, grinding mills, tailoring machines, and three-wheel vehicles, TVET-based skills training, cash assistance, and initiatives that enhance access to formal financial services and credit. Environment Protection Highlights UNHCR continues to promote environmental protection and restoration in Alemwach and Aftit settlements to address the impact of displacement on local natural resources and support peaceful coexistence with host communities. Through advocacy and donor engagement, UNHCR mobilizes resources for sustainable environmental management and ecological recovery. As part of the Government of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, and with support from EU INTPA funding, UNHCR plans to plant 20,000 multipurpose trees in Aftit in 2026, with activities continuing through the 2027 rainy season. The intervention aims to restore vegetation cover, reduce environmental degradation, improve local microclimates, and generate long-term environmental and livelihood benefits for both refugees and host communities.
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