Reference :
V-P-AF-E-03011
Date :
05/02/2024
Caption :
Balkh province. Thanks to a grant from the ICRC's economic security programme (ECOSEC), Abdullah Amiri has been able to open a workshop and employ six women, whose production contributes to the economic development of his business.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
“Life-disrupting injuries because of unexploded ordnance, death of a loved one, financial strain, psychological trauma and fear of the future – Sayed Reza, Muzhda Ahmadi and Abdullah Amiri have experienced the sharp sting of armed conflict and violence that has affected so many people in Afghanistan. But their lives have not remained paralysed by the tragedies that struck their families.
Instead, they share stories of being able to find their ground, setting up successful small businesses with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), providing for their families, paying off debt, reinvesting in their businesses for sustainability and even creating employment opportunities for others suffering from the impact of conflict.
The three are among a group of 29 families from the Balkh and Kunduz provinces selected to be part of a microeconomic initiative programme of the ICRC in the region. The project has positively impacted 232 people between October and December 2023. According to statistics, women who were part of the programme could earn an average of AFN 7,867 (USD 110) a month, while men have been able to earn about AFN 10,282 (USD 143).
[...]
Abdullah Amiri
An explosion in their fast-food shop caused head and leg injuries to Amiri's father and became a life altering incident for the family. Struggling to cope with the financial impact of the incident, 29-year-old Amiri contacted the ICRC and initially received a cash grant to meet their basic needs.
"Later, the microeconomic programme became a beacon of hope for me. I was skilled in embroidery and had harboured a dream of starting my own business one day. The ICRC gave me USD 1,500 (AFN 107,250) to start a business and I put in USD 1,000 (AFN 71,500) more from my side to set up a shop and a small workshop," he shares. Business took off and Amiri hired eight people, including six women, to work for him. He is now looking to expand his business to three more districts.
Samargul Muhammadi, one of the six women employed by Amiri, says working at the workshop has been pivotal for her life too. "At the workshop I can produce a greater volume of items, which in turn increases my earnings. This has helped me to comfortably provide for my family's needs and invest in my brother's education," she says.
A project to facilitate sustainable income
A comprehensive economic assessment was conducted in Kunduz Province and Mazar-i-Sharif city, Chimtal, Dehdadi, Charbolak districts of Balkh Province between May and June 2023 before identifying 29 vulnerable families, including six households led by women. The evaluation gauged various socio-economic factors such as existing skills, market knowledge, level of enthusiasm, educational background, potential risks and viability of proposed business ideas. The financial assistance was disbursed in two phases – 60% in the first phase and then 40% – to ensure the successful execution of each business plan and prevent misuse.
[...]
Talking about the wider impact of the initiative, ICRC staff member in Mazar-i-Sharif subdelegation Ekramuddin Amiri says, "While our core aim was to facilitate a sustainable income source for those who have suffered from violence and incidents of weapon contamination, we witnessed a ripple effect as many became catalysts for job creation within their communities. This has increased the visibility of their businesses and strengthened the value chain, particularly for those involved in the dairy sector. Additionally, it has promoted adaptive work models, like shift scheduling, especially for those in the service industry including transportation. Above all, the families who were among the most vulnerable because of the consequences of conflict have been able to regain their dignity."
ICRC website, article 04-04-2024
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4624x2604
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
