It's difficult for the IDPs to able to earn some menial form of living whilst living in these conditions. They are largely solely dependant on government on food aid as the town of Mambuk is really too small for any form of trade to take hold. This is the situation throughout many of the IDP sites.

That said there are signs of trade. Within the Gumuz community at the Mambuk IDP, the Gumuz community appears to have established some form of trade. From what I have witnessed, trade of the likes of vegetables, bananas, chickpeas, beans, spices and packaged sweets look to be underway.
A large focus also has been on their ability to make and trade a local brew which is made from wheat. They are able to sell this brew for 2 birr 50c per cup, which is equivalent to less than 5 cents USD. It is not a lot of money at all but is helping sustain some of them at least. Their challenge here is being able to curb the growth of weeds without the necessary tools to do so. It appears this local brew is of great importance with regard to it forming quite a significant part of their daily life but also as a form of social offering. According to a Gumuz man, the brew keeps them full in times of hunger and also provides the necessary nutrition.