Qatar Red Crescent Society’s (QRCS) has concluded a six-month project, with a $55,570 (QR202,552) budget, to support income-generating ventures for Yemeni refugee families in Somalia.
The initiative benefited 20 poor families, or 140 persons, in addition to 35 indirect beneficiaries, from Yemeni refugee families at camps and poor Yemeni families in Mogadishu and other cities of Banaadir. The results include the launch of trading projects for 20 families, rehabilitating 10 shops and renting 10 others for three months, training the families to better run their small businesses, and supplying goods and consumer items.
QRCS noted that a field survey of the economic conditions of Yemenis was conducted to identify their basic needs.
Based on the findings, 20 Yemeni families were given projects that would help them earn a living, depending on their respective fields of experience.
Ten existing shops were rehabilitated, and other shops were rented for the families who did not have one.
To help beneficiaries start their commercial projects, QRCS’ representative Office in Somalia purchased the supplies, equipment and food commodities, and held a training course to enhance their skills, which is needed in running their small businesses.
The team continued to follow up with the families, to ensure improved project management processes and assess the revenue over six months.
According to statistics of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Somalia hosts about 7,500 Yemeni refugees.
To overcome some of the challenges faced in implementing project, the competent authorities in Mogadishu were contacted to facilitate access to the targeted families, who were encouraged to attend the vocational training.
Moreover, it is planned to increase the number of beneficiaries for 2022.
Arwa Hadi Ali (45), divorced, and one of the project beneficiaries, said: “Back in Yemen, I had been very happy. I used to have a normal life with my family. Because of the war, I came to Mogadishu with my five children. We have no income, except for some aid from benevolent people and foreign organisations in Somalia, which is not enough to meet our everyday needs. We live in suffering. Our home barely has anything that we can afford”.
“Thank God, I have received this project, which is a source of living given to us by QRCS,” she added.“I run the shop on my own, but sometimes my young children help me.
The revenue is more than enough. Thanks to QRCS for their endless assistance to the Yemeni refugee families in Somalia”.
QRCS noted that a field survey of the economic conditions of Yemenis was conducted to identify their basic needs.
Based on the findings, 20 Yemeni families were given projects that would help them earn a living, depending on their respective fields of experience.
Ten existing shops were rehabilitated, and other shops were rented for the families who did not have one.
To help beneficiaries start their commercial projects, QRCS’ representative Office in Somalia purchased the supplies, equipment and food commodities, and held a training course to enhance their skills, which is needed in running their small businesses.
The team continued to follow up with the families, to ensure improved project management processes and assess the revenue over six months.
According to statistics of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Somalia hosts about 7,500 Yemeni refugees.
To overcome some of the challenges faced in implementing project, the competent authorities in Mogadishu were contacted to facilitate access to the targeted families, who were encouraged to attend the vocational training.
Moreover, it is planned to increase the number of beneficiaries for 2022.
Arwa Hadi Ali (45), divorced, and one of the project beneficiaries, said: “Back in Yemen, I had been very happy. I used to have a normal life with my family. Because of the war, I came to Mogadishu with my five children. We have no income, except for some aid from benevolent people and foreign organisations in Somalia, which is not enough to meet our everyday needs. We live in suffering. Our home barely has anything that we can afford”.
“Thank God, I have received this project, which is a source of living given to us by QRCS,” she added.“I run the shop on my own, but sometimes my young children help me.
The revenue is more than enough. Thanks to QRCS for their endless assistance to the Yemeni refugee families in Somalia”.
