Resilient Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment Initiative (RLEEI)
Our Household Economic Strengthening (HES) program is designed to restore dignity, resilience, and self-reliance among men and women affected by insurgency, particularly those residing in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Through a comprehensive, value chain–driven approach, we provide tailored livelihood support that enables beneficiaries to rebuild sustainable sources of income.
For men, particularly those with farming capacity, we facilitate access to rented farmland based on their individual capabilities. We equip them with improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides, while also providing training on modern agricultural practices to enhance productivity. Beyond production, we ensure market integration by linking farmers to off-takers, traders, and agro-companies supporting them across the entire agricultural value chain. In addition, we empower men with non-agricultural livelihoods such as grocery retail and carpentry/furniture production through startup support and skills development.
For women, our interventions focus on practical, income-generating activities that are adaptable within camp settings. We provide grinding machines to support food processing businesses, enabling women to offer essential services such as grinding beans and tomatoes. We also provide seed capital for small-scale food enterprises, including the preparation and sale of local staples such as kosai da koko. Furthermore, women receive training and support in vocational skills such as fashion design, soap making, and petty trading.
A key strength of our approach is the creation of a localized, self-sustaining economic ecosystem within IDP communities. Beneficiaries both produce and consume goods and services within the camp fostering internal circulation of income, strengthening interdependence, and promoting community cohesion. For example, food vendors rely on local grinding services, while households access tailoring services from trained fashion designers within the same community.
Through this integrated model, we empower both men and women to achieve economic independence, improve household incomes, and meet their basic needs. Ultimately, the program contributes to enhanced well-being, social stability, and long-term resilience among displaced populations.
