Funded by IPA's Displaced Livelihoods Initiative, researchers are conducting a randomized evaluation in Ethiopia to measure the impact of the Refugee and Host Integration through the Safety Net (RHISN) program. This program offers paid public works on small-scale public goods and social infrastructure, training, coaching, and a $600 livelihood grant to foster higher-income livelihoods and socio-economic integration.

This study investigates the integration of refugees and hosts into Ethiopia's urban safety net’s public works and livelihoods program, targeting 22,500 households in seven refugee camps and nearby areas. The Refugee and Host Integration through the Safety Net (RHISN) program offers paid public works on small-scale public goods and social infrastructure, training, coaching, and a USD 600 livelihood grant to foster higher-income livelihoods and socio-economic integration. This initiative marks one of the first attempts in sub-Saharan Africa to incorporate refugees and host communities into a national urban social protection program.

Researchers are conducting a randomized evaluation with 12,000 households to measure impact of the RHISN program. They will measure the program's effect on participants' well-being (economic, social, and psychological), analyze the impact of mixing refugees and host in public works and training groups on productivity and social cohesion, and assess the economic and social spillover effects on the local economy.