Reference :
V-P-IQ-E-02290
Date :
20/02/2019
Caption :
Mosul. This man owns a carpentry workshop which suffered from the armed conflict. When the conflict was over, thanks to the ICRC micro-economic initiative programme, he managed to start his business again.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, article of 30.05.2019: Small projects bring life back to the streets in Mosul
Various small and medium businesses in the Old City of Mosul are supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross as life gradually returns to the streets and people resume their lives. Some business owners have restored their activities to pre-conflict levels while others are gradually recovering. And some even earn a higher income than ever before.
Micro-economic initiatives (MEI) are income-generating programmes implemented through a bottom-up approach, with each beneficiary identifying and designing the assistance received to run a small business.
“One business brings advantages to others”.
Abdul Hakim Mahmoud is a resident of the Old City and owns a carpentry workshop. Before 2014, Abdul Hakim employed three or four workers. Due to the conflict and the deterioration of the security situation, he had to sell his woodworking tools to earn money. His workshop was also pillaged several times. At the end of conflict, Abdul Hakim resumed his work from scratch. The workshop has expanded and now employs 10 workers. Employment at his workshop has benefited the workers and their families.
One of the workers at Abdul Hakim’s workshop says, “Together with 9 friends, I started working for Abdul Hakim. The business flourished, and we could afford our monthly rent and health care for our families. Our living conditions have improved.”
Abdul Hakim believes the workshop does not only help cover his workers’ basic family needs, but also benefits taxi drivers, grocers, and other businesses in the neighbourhood. “You assume that the workshop is helping employ 10 or 12 people only, but in fact its impact goes beyond them to almost 30 people,” he says.
[...] ICRC-implemented MEIs are a type of assistance that require that beneficiaries possess a mix of skills and motivation to achieve the desired business results. [...] Throughout 2018, 96 cash grants were given to small business owners in the Old City of Mosul who had lost their businesses due to recent conflict.
Resolution :
6000x4000
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
