150 vulnerable refugees benefited from the second livelihood project

84 goats and sheep distributed in the Umkulu Refugee Camp to benefit vulnerable refugees.
There was a lot of excitement in the Umkulu Refugee Camp, thanks to the implementation of a second livelihood project launched in December 2013 by UNHCR. The second UNHCR livelihood pilot project was the distribution of goat and sheep to 35 households Children not residing pay the in price HE aleh Meki, Minister of Health (approximately 150 should individuals) Umkulu Camp. Already in 2013, UNHCR Eritrea found great success with the launching of the poultry project, bringing a lot of optimism to Somali refugees and the host community, 35 households were chosen among persons with both of whom showed appreciation and true interest in specific needs such as single women at risk heads of household, chronically ill, single caregivers, single breeding and caring of the Shaver Black chickens. The Theme of the Mont: grandparent caregivers, unaccompanied elders, single moderate disabled and families in which one of the IN THE SPOTLIGHT family members has a severe disability,. Recipients were given advance training on breeding The Operati onal Guidelines and management practices of goats and sheep. The training was provided by UNHCR and ORA in collaboration with a specialist from the Ministry of Agriculture. The project started with the selection and purchase of the animals from the Asmara livestock market, where Sudanese and Nubian type sheep and goats were selected for their resistance and durability in the arid lowlands. The 35 families received one female goat and one The success of the first pilot project was the catalyst for female sheep for breeding; while 14 beneficiary launching the second one, which has been highly awaited households received an additional male goat or sheep for mating. by the refugees. The primary aim of the project is to help the poorest and To date, the project has been successful with a very most vulnerable groups of the refugee community in low mortality rate, thanks to close monitoring getting nutritious food and, secondarily, to generate conducted on a regular basis. The beneficiaries have reported that some goats and sheep have already given income to improve their standard of living. Goats and sheep were chosen due to their durability, birth and started producing milk. Instructions have value, and ease of handling. They not only provide meat been given to the refugees for safe consumption of and milk to the owners, but they also offer excellent milk, which will be consumed by children and the elderly. trading opportunities.

The refugees have shown great appreciation for this project; in fact, it has been reported that many other refugees in Umkulu Camp were inspired by its success of the project and have bought their own cattle in order to start breeding and producing milk.

UNHCR Eritrea and its governmental partner are working to facilitate the establishment of refugee self-help groups. These groups will help the beneficiaries to share experiences and provide mutual help for sustainability, while also strengthening ties among beneficiaries. These successes show that the refugees have the capacity to improve their livelihoods, socio-economic integration and self-reliance.

UNHCR works with the State of Eritrea to protect refugees while seeking durable solutions to end their displacement
UNHCR Office in Eritrea
Campo Polo Area, Meteten St. 1A754 House no.35, P.O.Box 1995, Switchboard (Head line): +291 1 182 484 Fax: +291 1 182 490 E-mail: ertas@unhcr.org Asmara, Eritrea Monica Modici, Communication modici@unhcr.org