How Land Empowers Refugee Women and Builds Resilient Livelihoods in the Central African Republic
How Land Empowers Refugee Women and Builds Resilient Livelihoods in the Central African Republic
In Birao, members of the “Ya Rahamane” refugee association are cultivating in the field.
At dawn, the communal field slowly comes to life in the Korsi neighbourhood of Birao in Vakaga, Central African Republic. Women arrive in small groups, hoes balanced on their shoulders, shovels and rakes in hand. They are members of “Ya Rahamane” (“Oh merciful one” in Sudanese Arabic), a community association led by Sudanese refugee women, born out of displacement but rooted in solidarity, resilience and determination. These women have transformed a simple plot of land made available to them into a driver of self-reliance and empowerment.
Among them is Abdorahim Adam Mariam, in her late thirties, a widow and mother of eleven children, known for her energy and commitment. Most of these women, including Mariam, were farmers before the crisis in Sudan. Forced to flee, they lost their land, their crops, and their role as providers within their households. Upon arrival in Korsi, many found themselves involuntarily dependent on humanitarian aid. “We used to feed others. Losing the ability to produce food for ourselves was the greatest loss of all,” says Mariam.
Abdorahim Adam Mariam, 39, is a refugee and mother of eleven children. She fled the conflict in her hometown of Nyala, Sudan, to seek refuge in Korsi, Birao, Central African Republic.
A Communal Plot, a Simple Idea That Changes Everything
At first, “Ya Rahamane” was just a wish, shared during conversations among refugee women. The dream eventually took shape, thanks in part to the support of community leaders and local authorities who provided them cultivable plots of land. This marked the birth of the cooperative, which has since formalized its structure: a presidency, a treasury, a water manager, and a seed manager, laying the foundation for collective ownership and accountability.
Through a UNHCR initiative, 230 refugees and members of the host community received agricultural tools, seeds, fertilizers, and training to support income-generating farming activities. Using simple but effective techniques, such as composting, intercropping, and water harvesting, the women began cultivating onions, okra, cassava, maize, vegetables, and legumes. “Here, we work side by side with the host community, and we collaborate well,” explains Mariam.
The first harvest was modest but decisive, helping to improve families’ nutrition. Today, the field is greener and more productive. “This field has restored our dignity. We are not just receiving. We are producing,” Mariam emphasizes. For her and the other members, this regained autonomy represents more than hope, with many aspiring to cultivate larger plots and to sell surplus in the future.
Women of “Ya Rahamane” refugee association work together in the field towards a common goal of better livelihood and self-reliance in Birao, Central African Republic.
A Voice That Matters
Beyond agricultural production, “Ya Rahamane” strengthens women’s roles in community life. They now participate in local decision-making, raise awareness among youth about gender-based violence, and engage directly with authorities.
Cohabitation with the host community has also improved, with daily support to each other fostering shared hope for a stable and peaceful future.
Supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDSC), these refugee women have rebuilt their livelihoods and regained a measure of independence. The cultivated fields have become a symbol of resilience, self-reliance, and dialogue, allowing refugees and host communities to build a more dignified and prosperous future together.
