With the support of philanthropists, Qatar Charity (QC), in co-operation with Somaliland’s ministry of employment, social affairs and family, delivered economic empowerment projects benefiting 113 persons from the most vulnerable groups in Hargeisa.
The initiative is part of the QC’s development efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods, reduce unemployment, and support self-reliance among low-income families.
The distributed projects, which included clothing shops, grocery stores selling food supplies and vegetables, fish and seafood marketing ventures, taxis, motorcycles, three-wheeled vehicles, and barber shops, were selected following an assessment of beneficiaries’ needs and local market requirements to enhance their prospects for success and sustainability.
Somaliland’s Minister of Employment, Social Affairs and Family Milgo Mohamed Elmi lauded the project and its role in supporting needy families and strengthening economic and social stability.
She affirmed that economic empowerment initiatives are among the most effective solutions for addressing the livelihood challenges faced by many unemployed or low-income families, and added that empowering 113 male and female beneficiaries at this stage reflects the importance of partnership between government institutions and humanitarian and development organisations.
Elmi also commended Qatar Charity’s efforts to implement projects with sustainable impact, contributing to building beneficiaries’ capacities and enabling them to become self-reliant in securing their livelihoods.
Abdulfattah Adam Moalim, the director of the QC office in Somalia, affirmed that the project embodies Qatar Charity’s commitment to promoting self-sufficiency and supporting the most vulnerable groups through development projects that provide stable sources of income and open new prospects for beneficiaries to build a better future.
He said that women, particularly female breadwinners and mothers of orphans, accounted for a large proportion of the project’s beneficiaries.
Kaysi Barkhad Abdi, beneficiary of a men’s barber shop project, said: “I had been unemployed for a long time and was looking for an opportunity that would enable me to provide for my family’s needs.”
“Today, I feel that I have begun a new chapter in my life after receiving this project,” Abdi said. “I extend my thanks to Qatar Charity and the generous donors for this opportunity, which has given me hope and confidence in the future.”