Strengthening Food Security Through Community Efforts by Refugees
Strengthening Food Security Through Community Efforts by Refugees
Cameroonian refugee Edmund sorts fingerlings on his fish farm in Adagom community, Cross River State
In the heart of Adagom community, Cross River State, Edmund Umenjoh, a Cameroonian refugee and father of five, brims with enthusiasm as he tends to his fingerlings. Despite the challenges, he's rebuilt his life and is lighting the way for others, proving that even the toughest challenges can turn into opportunities.
Back in 2023, when war erupted in his community in Cameroon, Edmund lost everything—his livelihood, his home, and his beloved cocoa and palm plantation. Forced to seek safety in Nigeria, he was registered by the Nigerian government and UNHCR, which allowed him to move freely, access essential social services, and open a bank account, all crucial steps towards self-reliance.
Driven by his passion for agriculture, Edmund founded the New Heaven Refugee Led Organization (RLO) in Adagom. Seeing the potential in the area, the RLO acquired land to cultivate over 3,000 fingerlings and develop nurseries for distribution to refugees and host communities.
“When we started the farm with the RLO, we faced big electricity challenges. Pumping water into the fishponds was tough and expensive with generators. So, I decided to learn about solar installations, both physically and online. Using solar systems for the fishponds is much more sustainable, and now, installing solar systems has become my new passion alongside agriculture,” Edmund shares. The group has also empowered 14 refugees and hosts with essential farming and solar technology skills.
In Nigeria, UNHCR is focused on supporting forcibly displaced people and host communities to become economically empowered and food secure. They are expanding into sustainable, large-scale agricultural projects using solar-powered irrigation systems on farmlands donated by the government and host communities.
This initiative ensures crops thrive year-round despite changing climates, improves production efficiency, and provides access to viable markets. Refugee-led organizations and cooperatives, including Edmund’s, are leading these large agricultural projects supported by UNHCR for refugees and host communities in Ogoja, Cross River State.
Many refugees like Edmund have valuable agricultural skills, such as crop production, livestock keeping, and fishing. With the proper support and resources, they can feed themselves and their families, tap into profitable markets, and thrive. This will drive local economic growth, benefiting both refugees and host communities.
“Water from the fishpond is used for irrigation on my farm, ensuring my family never lacks food. The agricultural market is lucrative, and I plan to establish a greenhouse vegetable farm for carrots, watermelon, cabbage, and snails to improve food supply for the refugee and host community,” he concludes.
Cameroonian refugee Edmund sorts fingerlings on his fish farm in Adagom community, Cross River State
