Reference :
V-P-AF-E-03013
Date :
04/02/2024
Caption :
Balkh province, Mazar-i-Sharif. Thirty-year-old Muzhda lost her husband in an armed conflict and is the sole provider for her five children. A grant from the ICRC's economic security programme (ECOSEC) has enabled her to set up and develop her livestock 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).
Muzhda Ahmadi
In 2021, 30-year-old Ahmadi lost her husband amid armed conflict and found herself solely responsible for the well-being of her five children. "The journey has been difficult and I struggled to provide for my children. However, starting the livestock business with the ICRC's help has been transformative," she says. Ahmadi took the entrepreneurial leap with the help of a USD 1,450 (AFN 103,675) grant from the ICRC and has since expanded her livestock business to include a healthy flock of 11 sheep. "When the lambs are ready to be sold, I will be able to invest in my children's education so that they don't have to endure the hardships I have faced," 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 :
4000x2252
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
