Garissa, FAO host food fair to boost nutrition and self-reliance at IFO Refugee Camp
Exhibitions featured thriving enterprises in goat rearing, poultry, fodder production, and tomato farming—key sectors identified for their potential to improve household nutrition and resilience.
Garissa County, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), hosted a vibrant food fair at the IFO Youth Centre in the refugee camp, aimed at promoting better nutrition and strengthening local livelihoods.
Themed "Nourishing communities, building self-reliance," the event brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, and community groups to showcase various value chains and food innovations designed to enhance dietary diversity and income generation.
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Exhibitions featured thriving enterprises in goat rearing, poultry, fodder production, and tomato farming—key sectors identified for their potential to improve household nutrition and resilience.
Participants also enjoyed displays of traditional cuisines from South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, and Kenya, underscoring the region's cultural richness and shared commitment to food security.
Refugee youth from the IFO camp captivated visitors with their innovative handicrafts made from camel bone, demonstrating how creativity and skills can open new pathways for economic empowerment.
Garissa County Executive Member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Pastoral Livelihood, Milgo Dubow, during the food fair event held at the Ifo Refugee Camp Youth Center in Garissa. (Photo: Issa Hussein)
Aisha Aden, a refugee at IFO, said the event served as an important occasion to showcase their self-reliance as refugee youth. "We make Somali dried camel meat, locally known as nyiri nyiri, and sell it to customers within the camp. The expo will help us access markets outside the camp," she said.
Garissa County Executive Member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Pastoral Livelihood, Milgo Dubow, encouraged youth to improve their ability to enhance their self-reliance in the food system to address malnutrition.
"Let us ensure that vulnerable communities do not rely solely on dry food donations offered within the refugee camps and neighbouring host communities. We must ensure that we utilise available local resources for value addition," Milgo said.
She praised the collaboration with FAO as a practical step toward achieving self-reliance in food systems while addressing malnutrition among vulnerable communities.
"This initiative not only celebrates our local food diversity but also encourages communities to embrace sustainable ways of producing and consuming nutritious foods," said a county official during the event.
The food fair is part of a broader county effort to integrate agriculture, nutrition, and enterprise development under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), ensuring that communities across Garissa build resilience and thrive beyond food aid.
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