Closing the transition gap will require stakeholders to integrate relevant self-reliance components into all displacement phases. As an unintended consequence, the current model of prolonged humanitarian aid without self-reliance support increases the vulnerability of displaced persons and exposes them to exploitation and abuse to meet their essential needs.
Displaced people have lost their livelihood and property, which affects their psychosocial well-being and lowers their self-esteem. When opportunities are created for them to generate income and support their families during displacement, it not only improves their quality of life but also helps to boost their self-confidence and avoid prolonged dependency.
Displaced people can engage in locally relevant and marketable skills training and business activities based on current or estimated local market demand. When they are supported with business capital and equipment grants or financing, it helps them to grow their businesses, earn a living, support their families and meet essential education and health needs without relying on aid. The rationale for self-reliance is that it will generate multiple long-term benefits, including improving their confidence, self-esteem, and self-reliance.
Psychosocial interventions are needed to make vocational support more effective because it helps them to stop thinking, reduces their burden and improves their confidence. The introduction of psychosocial support as a tool to support all vocational and business endeavors for displaced people, recognises that vocational support by itself does not create the right conditions to achieve self-reliance and move people towards sustainable solutions.
A woman who received a combination of counselling, hairdressing training, and business grants said,
I started a business and opened a hair salon with my friend outside the camp. I now make good money and can take care of myself. I also now have a small house outside the camp.”
