Executive Summary
Since the 1990s, persistent conflict, insecurity, and economic instability in the Great Lakes region have forced millions of people into displacement across neighboring countries. For many refugees, displacement has become protracted, with limited prospects for durable solutions. While voluntary repatriation has been pursued in several contexts, return has often proven fragile. Poor economic conditions, limited services, land-related challenges, and weak livelihood opportunities in countries of origin have compelled many returnees to re-enter host countries, resulting in cyclical and secondary displacement, as observed among Burundian returnees to Tanzania. These dynamics highlight the need for approaches that address both displacement and reintegration in an integrated manner.
At the same time, humanitarian assistance provided by UNHCR and partner organizations is steadily declining due to global funding constraints, while restrictive policies in many host countries continue to limit refugees’ access to livelihoods and socio-economic systems. Consequently, many refugees remain confined to camps, dependent on aid, and unable to fully exercise their rights or contribute to economic development. Returnees, similarly, often face reintegration challenges that undermine the sustainability of return and increase vulnerability.
The INUA Foundation Refugee Empowerment Programme responds to these realities by adopting a solutions-oriented, mobility-sensitive approach that promotes self-reliance, resilience, and socio-economic inclusion across displacement and return contexts. The programme focuses on equipping refugees and returnees with transferable skills, livelihood assets, education, and financial capabilities that enable them to rebuild their lives whether in host countries or upon return to their home communities.
Through integrated interventions in livelihoods development, vocational and life-skills training, youth and women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, and community-based reintegration, the programme supports refugees to transition from aid dependency toward economic independence while enabling returnees to reintegrate sustainably into their communities of origin. By emphasizing social cohesion, protection-sensitive programming, and inclusive community recovery, the programme reduces the risk of secondary displacement and strengthens peaceful coexistence.
Aligned with UNHCR’s strategic pillars on protection, self-reliance, inclusion in national systems, and durable solutions, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Refugee Empowerment Programme contributes to poverty reduction, decent work, reduced inequalities, and inclusive economic growth. Through partnerships with governments, UN agencies, civil society, and affected communities, INUA Foundation seeks to ensure that refugees and returnees are not left behind but are empowered as active contributors to resilient and sustainable societies.
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