Reference :
V-P-IL-E-02921
Date :
06/06/2016
Caption :
West Bank. Hebron. The ICRC supports families through micro-economic initiatives (MEI). A family of maftoul producers received an electronic scale, a sewing machine and an electronic lift. Sharif, Mohammad's elder son, shows the grains of maftoul, the traditional Palestinian couscous.
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.
In 2003, Mohammad Dib Jaber, the head of a nine-member family in H2, started to produce maftoul, the traditional Palestinian couscous made from flour and semolina. The dish is very common among the residents of H2, especially in winter. “Our grandmothers used to produce it manually. Now, we use special machines, which allow us to increase production,” said Mohammad. The situation was completely different four years ago: Jaber’s income was not enough to meet his family’s needs, and he was not able to pay the university fees of his son. The restrictions in the movements of people in H2 made it more complicated for them to find a solution to improve their lives. To improve their living conditions, the Jabers received assistance from the ICRC. Among the tools they received were an electronic scale, a sewing machine and an electronic lift, which they could use to bring the matfoul to the rooftop to dry. “We are able to produce much more now thanks to these tools. The maftoul is exported even to Gulf countries. My sons are also working with me and making a living. The income is much better than before,” said Mohammad. Four years after the ICRC’s micro-economic initiatives were given, 25 out of 30 families who benefited from the programme are still running their businesses. Ten of them increased their income from 13,300 USD to 19,500 USD per year, and invested part of their capital to improve their businesses. “
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
3456x5182
Orientation :
portrait
Colour/B&W :
colour
