Seed and Yarn Bank Initiative Supports Livelihoods of Displaced Families in Manipur

Manipur, March 16, 2026: In a continuing effort to help families rebuild their lives after the 2023 violence in Manipur, the Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS) organised its annual meeting of beneficiaries in the Singngat region on March 14 at the V. Munpi Village Catholic Resettlement Centre. The gathering also marked the blessing and inauguration of a newly constructed Seed and Yarn Bank House, aimed at strengthening livelihood opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in 2023 led to the destruction of thousands of homes and displaced nearly 60,000 families across the state. In response to the humanitarian crisis, the Catholic Church extended relief assistance to many affected communities. Alongside emergency support, DSSS launched several livelihood initiatives in IDP centres, with the Singngat region emerging as a key focus of intervention.

The Seed and Yarn Bank House was blessed and inaugurated by Fr. Mung, parish priest of St. Thomas Parish, Singngat, in the presence of village chief John Muan, DSSS Field Manager Thomas Paupi, beneficiaries and members of the local community.

Following the inauguration, the annual meeting brought together beneficiaries of various DSSS livelihood schemes. In his introductory address, Field Manager Thomas Paupi noted that the organisation has extended a range of livelihood resources to displaced families in the region. These include more than 15 piggeries, 20 ducklings, 17 carpenter toolkits, 12 electronic tools and 76 weaving tool sets.

Paupi also reported that two tuition centres have been established, benefitting 40 students with the support of two tutors. Several training seminars were also conducted over the past year to help families develop sustainable livelihood skills. He encouraged beneficiaries to actively participate in the programmes and work together to ensure their long-term sustainability.

During the meeting, several beneficiaries shared testimonies about how the assistance had helped them rebuild their lives.

Mr. Lucas Muanneu, a carpenter, said that before the ethnic conflict he depended entirely on carpentry for his livelihood. After losing his home and tools during the violence, he received carpentry tools through DSSS support, enabling him to resume his trade. Since then, he reported earning more than ₹80,000 and continues to support his family through carpentry work.

Another beneficiary, Mr. Joseph Manghau, said he had previously been unemployed but found stability through piggery farming with the support provided by DSSS. He explained that raising pigs allows him to sell them when needed to sustain his family, while the pig feed supplied by the organisation has helped him maintain the livestock.

Mrs. Vunglianching expressed gratitude for the tuition programme, noting that her child has greatly benefited from the initiative. She said that before the programme began she lacked awareness about her child’s education, but since joining the tuition centre the child has achieved academic honours. She appealed for the continuation of the programme because of its positive impact on children in the community.

Mrs. Nianlian, another beneficiary, shared that she received weaving tools and yarn through DSSS, enabling her to weave traditional Zou shawls. She has already completed nine shawls, selling four while keeping the remaining for family use.

Addressing the gathering, Fr. Mung highlighted the significance of the Seed Bank initiative and praised the efforts of DSSS in supporting displaced families. He emphasised the need for beneficiaries to actively participate in the programmes to ensure their continued success and appreciated Field Manager Thomas Paupi for his dedication in implementing the initiatives in the Singngat region.

The annual meeting reflected the ongoing commitment of the Church’s social service initiatives to support displaced communities through livelihood and educational programmes, helping families in Singngat gradually regain stability and self-reliance after the conflict.