Improving the livelihoods of refugees in 2022

The East Africa region, located off the coast of Yemen, is plagued by famine, poverty, hunger, insecurity, and instability, forcing its inhabitants to seek refuge in order to survive. They embark on perilous journeys across the Red and Arabian Seas towards the shores of Yemen, which often serves as a transit point for them.

Despite Yemen's own struggles with war and conflicts, and the increasing number of refugees from different countries, it warmly welcomes and shelters refugees with official and popular support. This is a testament to the Yemeni people's commitment to their humanitarian and ethical values, as they respect the relevant international conventions with their humanitarian partners who provide assistance to this vulnerable group.

To this end, Namaa Small & Microfinance Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has extended a helping hand to refugees in Yemen through the Livelihoods Improvement Project. The project aims to transform refugees from being dependent on aid to becoming self-sufficient producers.

Refugees are provided with vocational training to acquire professional skills that enable them to become self-reliant and independent from relying on assistance from others.

Transforming these individuals into producers is not an easy task. It requires significant efforts and meticulous planning from the management of the Livelihoods Improvement Project at Namaa Foundation, in collaboration with relevant government entities. This is achieved through the following steps:

1. Achieving project goals by identifying and designing rehabilitation and training programs.
2. Vocational and technical training: Namaa foundation has worked on providing the necessary resources by contracting with private institutes, government institutions, and specialized colleges. This is done through two training tracks:
   - Long-term training: High school graduates enroll in specialized programs through contracts with specialized colleges. The training lasts for three years, after which they receive accredited certificates in various academic fields that align with the labor market's needs.
   - Short-term training: This focuses on vocational and technical training in various fields, with a maximum duration of six months.

3. Training through Namaa Training Center: The center aims to provide refugees with various educational skills and knowledge throughout the year.

4. Financing: The project offers opportunities for refugees who wish to start their own professional projects and achieve their dreams.

The importance of the Livelihoods Improvement Project lies in its achievement of humanitarian justice.

The outputs of the Livelihoods Improvement Project for 2022 include:

- Automotive Electrical Systems (15 male and female trainees)
- Hairdressing and Beauty (40 male and female trainees)
- Tailoring and Sewing (40 male and female trainees)
- Graphics Design (40 male and female trainees)
- Executive Secretarial Skills (50 male and female trainees)
- Digital Photography (30 male and female trainees)
- General Nursing (50 male and female trainees)
- Mobile Maintenance (15 male and female trainees)
- Computer Maintenance (15 male and female trainees)
- Pastry Making (50 male and female trainees)
- Advanced Pastry Making (20 male and female trainees)
- Television Editing (15 male and female trainees)
- Intensive Care (20 male and female trainees)

On-the-job training:
- Automotive Mechanics (5 trainees)
- Automotive Electrical Systems (4 trainees)
- Hairdressing and Beauty (9 trainees)
- Tailoring and Sewing (12 trainees)
Total beneficiaries: 30 individuals

Entrepreneurship and Financial Education Courses:
- 180 male and female trainees

Personal Skills Courses at Namaa Training Center:
- English Language (872 trainees)
- Arabic Language (101 trainees)
- Computer Skills (173 trainees)
- Graphics Design (70 trainees)
Total: 1,216 male and female trainees

Training kits for outstanding graduates:
- 285  Start -up training kits