Rebuilding the livelihood of the resettled community from the Gich plateau (core area) of SMNP is the key and humanitarian issue to be addressed. Solving livelihood gap of this community is one of the major objectives of AWF program in the Simien mountains landscape and has significant implication for participation and benefit of overall local community leaving in and around the park. These peoples were resettled as they were at key site of the park and very risk for movement wild animals, degradation of their habitat. With this relocation, the 252 households provided significant contribution to management and conservation of the park resources. With budget support from KFW, AWF and EWCA committed to provide awards for this community by restoring their livelihood at the new resettlement areas.
Before two years, the phase one program (Gich LRP I) achieved three business projects and benefited 37 households organized under three enterprises. As per the strong need and claim from the remaining community to be part of the phase two program, AWF and EWCA forced to revise the LRP II project and budget securing from the donor. After two years, the phase II Livelihood Restoration Program (LRP II) was realized in June 2024, and it was implemented from July 2024 to end of June 2025.
The program achieved Construction of 23 Sheds for the livelihood business place and establishment of 11 different livelihood Businesses (2 Diary Farming, 3Grain wholesale, 2 Coffee Whole shale, 2 Grain and chili mill service and 2 Construction materials whole selling) for 104 households organized under eleven Enterprises.
