Locations
“After expanding the milk business and saving enough, my plan is to purchase another milking cow to increase the supply.” Bushra, 35-year-old mother of seven children, from Tuban, Lahj governorate in Yemen”
One of ERRYII Joint programme that is funded by EU and Sida goals is to empower rural women in Yemen and enhance their livelihood and food security especially during prevailing war that has left many Yemenis Jobless and homeless. Bushra is one of those who has been devastated by this was as she along with her six little children were forced to leave their village in Tuban lahj governate to another district, Yafea.
Being hosted by another big family, life hardships and absolute necessity to attend the basic needs most importantly for her children have made Bushra take a fateful decision.
“till when shall I stay useless and doing nothing; I have to do something for my kid” Bushra is murmuring to herself.
Raised in a community in which milk and milk products were produced for home consumption, it never occurred to Bashra that she could support her family with milk until, through ERRYII Joint programme , she took part in a training course on business skills and dairy processing. It was a turning point.
“I’ve started with one goat and now I have 14 goats without those I have sold”. That was the shift point in Bushra’s family life. “Getting the necessary training and equipment, I feel that I am in a real school where we learn new things and get new experiences; especially, in the field of dairy processing, and goat fattening business”, Bushra is expressing her gratitude to the programme . “Now, I have a great source of income; my dream of running a business has become true. Moreover, I am glad to say I have become well known and a good example to other women”
The most effective intervention that caused an impressive impact by most of villagers in Addoba’ is the rehabilitation of Assumood dairy processing unit.
“Ah…that was amazing. We had started in a small and very old room, but after rehabilitation, that small room has become very clean and new. We (me and other 14 female farmers) started collecting milk from 4 or 5 cows, around 20 Liters of milk a day but now 36-48 cows, 100-120 Liters” Bushra explains
“we can produce 300-400 cans of yoghurt or haqeen on daily basis that is the benefit of the small dairy equipment and the regular training we have attended”, she is describing cheerfully.
ERRY JP creates multiplier opportunities that go beyond the individual beneficiary, extending to Bushra household and community. As a result of more households buying Bushra’s dairy products, she earns enough money for her and her family. “Before, I never saved the income from the sale of milk. Now, I save 30,000- 70,000 Yemeni Riyal monthly (around USD 100), which I will use to expand the milk business,” says Bushra.
ERRY Joint programme capitalizes on each United Nations agency’s mandate and institutional strength to generate lasting and wider scale improvements in the livelihoods and food security of rural women in Yemen.
Each agency brings a distinct comparative advantage: FAO’s provides technical knowledge on agriculture and food security, ILO designs curriculum that helps beneficiaries being equipped with the necessary skills they need to start their own business. In addition, UNDP through its 3x6 approach provides cash for work , training and grants to ensure that beneficiaries can stand up on their feet and earn a sustainable income while WFP’s food assist for asset innovations brings immediate cash and long term benefits through the construction and rehabilitation of community assets.
The collaboration aims to respond to the diversity of issues constraining vulnerable people in Yemen which go beyond the mandate of any individual United Nations entity to tackle alone.
Supporting Resilient Livelihoods and Food Security in Yemen Joint Programme (ERRY II), is a 3 years programme financed by EU and Sida, will be implemented in Yemen by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Food Programme (WFP) sixteen (16) districts in six vulnerable governorates: Hajjah, Hodeidah, Lahj, Abyan, Taiz and Sana’a.
