Inhospitable realities: Refugees’ livelihoods in Hitsats, Ethiopia

Until recently, Eritrean refugees in Hitsats refugee camp in Ethiopia did not have access to income-generating activities. This contributed to a sense of hopelessness and motivated secondary migration. Basic conditions for livelihoods have been inadequate – refugees have not had the right to work, to obtain a drivers’ licence or live outside the camps. However, there has been a political shift in Ethiopia, which has brought new and positive attention to refugee issues and a focus on harnessing their potential. Combined with recent developments in the political and policy streams in Ethiopia, such as the adoption of the Nine Pledges and revision of the Refugee Proclamation, it seems that a policy window may be opening for refugees’ livelihood issues to finally reach the agenda.