CRRI Refugee Livelihood Project In Nigeria
Towards February 2019 when CRRI visited the refugee settlements in Cross River and the Taraba States, they carried out needs assessments. From the assessments, amongst other needs, the gap in livelihood support was quite outstanding as expressed by the refugees.
After analyzing the various livelihood activities that are thriving in the localities where the assessments were made, CRRI resolved to launch the CRRI-RELIRP project that trains over 260 Southern Cameroonian refugees in vocational skills including Tailoring and catering, Hairdressing, Carpentry, Furniture, Glasswork, Car repair (General mechanics, motorcycle repair), general computing (ICT) in five (05) Local government areas (Ikom-Cross River, Calabar-Cross River, Ogoja-Cross River, Takum- Taraba State, Baissa-Kurmi LGA Taraba State, and Abong-Kurmi LGA Taraba) and an additional 100 youths (90 refugees and 10 host community youths) in Ogoja on advanced ICT skills ( hardware, Networking, Advanced ICT Skills for Freelancing, computer programming, web designing, digital marketing, computer networking, computer maintenance, graphics design, and video editing).
The livelihood programs at the six locations mentioned above began in November 2019, over 204 of them have completed the training period and graduated in April 2021 while others are still in course, most of whom should graduate by 2022. The graduated trainees are now waiting to be placed in CRRI-owned well-equipped workshops where these graduates will exercise and improve on their acquired vocational skills while paving a way for their individual livelihoods.
- OGOJA LGA-CROSS RIVER STATE
Besides the ICT training at the CRRI career and empowerment center, CRRI sponsored the vocational training of 72 refugees in Ogoja. The 5 vocational areas covered include Hairdressing, Tailoring, Furniture, Carpentry, and Glass Work (Alumaco). Â All these 72 trainees graduated in April 2021 with the CRRI Board chairman present for the occasion.
CRRI Glasswork trainees in Ogoja being introduced into the usage of a sophisticated glass cutting machine by an advanced apprentice- CRRI Tailoring trainees at work at one of the workshops in Ogoja  and CRRI Tailoring, Décor, and catering trainees on a mission to carry out decoration at the Ishibori Townhall in Ogoja in the prelude of a wedding ceremony
2. IKOM LGA-CROSS RIVER STATE
At Ikom, CRRI the training of refugees in five (05) different vocational skills. The vocational skills include ICT, Hairdressing, Tailoring, Carpentry/Furniture, and Glasswork (Alumaco). A total of 40 refugees were trained over a period of one year and they all graduated in April 2021, with the CRRI board chairman and the team being present to chair the ceremony. Â
3. CALABAR LGA-CROSS RIVER STATE
In Calabar, there are 6 vocational skills covered by CRRI and training a total of 53 refugees. The vocational skills include Auto mechanics, hairdressing barbing, Glassworks (Alumaco), furniture/carpentry, and ICT. In Calabar, each of the vocational skills includes a beneficiary from the host community to help reinforce integration. Â There is also a group of 16 southern Cameroonian refugee ladies trained and empowered by CRRI on catering and pastries in the month of March 2020. In April 2021, 38 of the refugees from the Calabar-based CRRI vocational training centers graduated from hairdressing, Tailoring, and ICT, while those for auto mechanics and glassworks are continuing with their training.
4. Â TAKUM LGA- TARABA STATE
There are 6 vocational training workshops operational in Takum. The workshops include tailoring, auto mechanics, Computer studies, hairdressing, and Barbing. Out of the 26 refugees being trained, 18 of them from Hairdressing, barbing, and ICT have completed their training and will be graduating soon.
5. BAISSA – KURMI LGA Taraba State
In Baissa there are 6 workshops. The workshops train a total of 32 refugees and the vocational skills include ICT, Hairdressing, Metal Works, tailoring, Motorcycle mechanics, and Furniture. Out of the 32 refugees being trained, 15 of them from metal works, Tailoring, and ICT have completed their training and will be graduating soon.
6. ABONG – KURMI LGA Taraba State
At Abong, CRRI sponsors the training of 25 refugees in 4 vocational skills including Welding, Carpentry/Furniture, Tailoring, and Motorcycle mechanics. Out of the 25 refugees being trained, 13 of them from motorcycle mechanics, and Tailoring have completed their training and will be graduating soon.
