Luiz Fernando Rocha is a UN Volunteer Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer for UNHCR in Nampula, north of Mozambique. He is responsible for promoting livelihood interventions and financial inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers and internally-displaced persons, supporting them in becoming more resilient to achieve self-reliance. In this photo story, he shares the work he partakes in and we see Nampula through his eyes.
Empowering persons of concern to develop strong economic, social, and cultural ties with their host communities is key to strengthen their capacity to lead autonomous lives.
Most of the work is focused on Maratane Refugee Settlement, the only reception centre for refugees in the country. The team also supports internally-displaced persons living in the Corrane IDP site and urban areas.
The objective of the projects and interventions is to provide sustainable solutions that are aligned with local market dynamics to enhance socio-economic resilience. Some of the activities focus on employability, through the provision of vocational and technical training, in accordance with the needs of beneficiaries and labor market demand. Another area is the promotion of learning opportunities through placements in local businesses and non-governmental organizations.
To support livelihoods, UNHCR provides cash grants/start-up capital to create and scale up income-generating activities. The organization also raises awareness of employers and the private sector on the positive impacts of hiring and establishing market linkages with persons of concern.
Access to financial services is another area we support. UNHCR personnel the foster economic inclusion of persons of concerns, including access to bank services, microcredits and other relevant activities. Interventions also include financial literacy and community-based approaches, such as village savings and Loans groups.
To advance social empowerment, we encourage the development of formal and informal community-based groups to support the creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities, and promote engagement with the private sector to establish stronger market linkages.
