Reference :
V-P-IL-E-02918
Date :
06/06/2016
Caption :
West Bank. Hebron. The ICRC supports families through micro-economic initiatives (MEI). Bassam, a 49-year-old beneficiary and shoemaker received two sewing machines. His children help with the family business during the school summer break.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
Jesus Serrano Redondo’s article: “How Micro-Economic Initiatives Continue to Support Families in Hebron, West Bank. The ICRC has been working in Israel and the Occupied Territories since 1967. For fifty years, we have been assisting people during difficult times. After a recent evaluation of micro-economic projects that were established four years ago, we found that many still provide crucial livelihood support for the most vulnerable families.
Bassam Al Jaabari, a 49-year-old shoemaker, lives with his 10-member family in one of the main streets in H2 in the old city of Hebron. Four years ago, Bassam needed to replace his sewing machines to increase production and support the whole family. In 2012, he received two new sewing machines as part of the ICRC’s initiative to expand and improve businesses in H2, one of the most sensitive areas in the West Bank. Now, Bassam has a workshop next to his house, where he sews shoes. He also treats the leather before it is sent for the final assembly to a shoe factory in Hebron. Bassam’s children also help him during school breaks. “There is no place for the children to play here in H2, so instead of them getting into trouble in the streets, they help me with the production and learn a profession at the same time,” said Bassam. Apart from the economic support, Bassam and others families also reach out to ICRC when the waves of violence increase in H2. “I know I can call the ICRC any time. They are always available. This is sometimes more important for us living in H2 than the projects they fund or the assistance that they give us,” added Bassam. The ICRC’s micro-economic initiatives have helped other families in H2 to increase their incomes to pay for school fees and, in some cases, set aside as savings. [...]”
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
5068x3380
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
