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Nigeria's displaced seek financial independence

Monday, October 03, 2016 - 01:42

People displaced by Nigeria’s rebel group Boko Haram are finding new ways to make money, after fleeing their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. Kate King takes a look at how those in displacement camps are getting back on their feet.

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More than one million people now live in camps like this around north-eastern Nigeria. They're were forced to flee their homes after attacks by rebel group Boko Haram. Many like Fadimatu arrive with no money and no possessions, but she's not letting that take away her independence. (SOUNDBITE) (Hausa) DISPLACED CIVILIAN, FADIMATU ABDULLAHI, SAYING: "We are learning this trade so we can help and support our families." The skills acquisition scheme was introduced here a few months ago And now dozens of women at Damare camp are finding innovative ways to make money. Mother of seven Aisha Adamu makes men's caps which she sells for up to 18 dollars each. (SOUNDBITE) (Hausa) OF DISPLACED CIVILIAN, AISHA ADAMU, SAYING: "Most of us in this camp lost our husbands in the conflict. We have many children who have daily needs and no money to take care of them. We depend on the food cooked by the National Emergency Management Agency to feed our children." Overcrowding has meant conditions at many camps are substandard. It's hoped this scheme will provide a sense of normalcy and allow residents to find customers outside the grounds. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA), COORDINATOR, ADAMAWA, SAAD BELLO, SAYING: "If they can have an outlet somewhere that would be very good so that they can easily take their materials into those outlets and then sell it in wholesome and then come back to the camp so that those out there will now retail it to the general public." More than 15-thousand people have been killed and 2 million displaced by Boko Haram. Many here aren't sure when they'll go home, but they know when they do, they'll be returning with more than just the scars of a deadly conflict.