Sustainable livelihood for IDPs in Manipur : A call for action

Nirmala Konjengbam
The ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, has displaced thousands of families, forcing them into temporary relief camps across the State. Among the worst affected are individuals who once lived with dignity, supported their families through honest livelihoods, and contributed meaningfully to society.
Today, they find themselves stripped of their homes, sources of income, and in many cases, their identity. While food, clothes, and temporary shelters may serve their immediate needs, what they truly need is dignity through sustainable livelihood.
The Role of the Government : Moving Beyond Symbolic Support
It is time the Government of Manipur, with the support of its various departments, steps up to provide long-term livelihood solutions to these internally displaced persons (IDPs). Among the most effective ways is through the Transport Department—by offering driving training and employment opportunities.
Instead of simply donating kits or organizing events for media coverage, the Government must take tangible, policy-backed steps that empower these individuals. Driving training is a practical, income-generating skill that opens up employment in both Government and private sectors.
Driving Training as a Sustainable Path
The Transport Department of Manipur can lead the way by-Organizing certified driving training programs near relief camps.
Offering learning licenses, road safety education, and hands-on training.
Providing subsidized or free access to training for displaced persons.
More importantly, upon successful training, priority should be given to these IDPs for driver roles across Government departments such as Health (ambulance drivers), Education (school vehicle operators), PWD, Logistics, Agriculture, and Emergency response units.
Employment as the Ultimate Rehabilitation
Providing employment is the most respectful and sustainable form of support. When an IDP becomes a driver for a Government department, it:
Restores dignity and purpose.
Provides a stable income to support their families.
Reduces long-term dependency on aid or charity.
Allows them to rebuild their lives as contributing members of society.
This approach also lessens the financial burden on the Government in the long term, as fewer people remain dependent on relief services.
Encouraging Skill-Based Support from the Public and Civil Society
The public and civil society organizations must also reflect and realign their approach. Donations and symbolic events, while well-intentioned, often serve more as photo opportunities than actual support. Instead, we must:
Offer vocational skills (tailoring, carpentry, weaving, mobile repair, etc.).
Mentor IDPs on starting small businesses.
Help with market linkage and cooperative models.
Let us discourage token gestures that make IDPs pose with donated items for social media sympathy. What they need is real investment in their future, not pity.
Time to Act : From Sympathy to Empowerment
Manipur is resilient. Its people are strong and capable. What they need today is not handouts, but a hand up. This is a critical moment for the Government and society to show leadership. A systematic, skills-based, and employment-oriented rehabilitation plan will go far beyond temporary sympathy. It will build confidence, strengthen families, and contribute to the State’s overall progress.
Let this not be just a phase of relief, but a turning point of recovery and empowerment.
It’s time to act. The most powerful photograph will be that of an internally displaced citizen standing proud in a uniform — not with a relief packet, but with a job card or a steering wheel in hand. It's the right time to teach them how to fish and they will feed themselves for a life time.