Finding urban solutions for Ethiopia’s Eritrean refugees

Our research on Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia shows that while towns and cities offer more opportunities for refugee livelihoods than camps, numerous barriers limit urban refugees’ opportunities for creating independent livelihoods and integrating into Ethiopian society. In camps, the economy depends mainly on humanitarian aid, and refugees in Aysaita camp struggle with lack of employment and hunger.

In the town of Semera Logia, a more flexible approach by local authorities has allowed for some economic inclusion. In Addis Ababa, limited opportunities force refugees into poor-quality employment, and many are unable to use their skills. This situation wastes refugees’ economic potential, and we recommend practical steps to improve the economic and social integration of displaced people in Ethiopia.