Empowering a Refugee Entrepreneur: Amina Nuri Khalaf's Journey with Japan and UNIDO

Her oldest child was studying abroad at that time. After spending a few months in Domiz 1 Syrian Refugee Camp, the family finally settled in Domiz 2 Camp, which is located within Duhok Governorate of Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Like many refugee families, Amina's household faced the daily challenges of instability and financial uncertainty. Her husband’s work was sporadic and unreliable, and while Amina contributed to the family’s income by buying milk to make pre-ordered yogurt at home, the income was inconsistent, and her family’s future remained uncertain.

Reflecting on the harsh realities of life as a refugee, Amina said, "It was very difficult because there aren’t many jobs in the camp." Despite her best efforts, her small yogurt-making venture couldn’t grow into a sustainable business due to limited resources and traditional methods that did not meet modern food safety standards.

A turning point came when Amina learned from a neighbour about a training programme supported by the Japanese government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The training focused on dairy production, covering essential aspects such as yogurt and cheese making, food hygiene, and quality testing. Eager to improve her situation, Amina signed up. “I knew traditional ways of making yogurt,” she explained, “but I expected to learn more modern ways of making yogurt.

Over the course of six days, Amina received intensive training, learning how to use modern techniques to improve both the quality and safety of her products. Concepts such as temperature control and pH testing, previously unfamiliar to her, became key components of her production process. “Knowing the right temperature for yogurt making and pH testing was the most interesting part for me,” Amina said enthusiastically, “because I didn’t know such topics before.”

In addition to the invaluable knowledge she gained, Amina also received equipment, including stainless steel tools, cooking pots, thermometers, and packaging materials. This transformed her small operation into a more efficient workshop, allowing her to double her daily yogurt production from 10 kg to 20 kg, depending on the season. The increase in production capacity and improved quality of her products led to better sales. “Before, it was only pre-order, and I wasn’t profiting much,” Amina recalled. “Now I make more yogurt with the big pots that were given to me, and my sales are better.”

The assistance from Japan and UNIDO has made a notable difference in Amina's life. The additional income, though modest, brought more stability to her family. Amina takes pride in providing her family with safe, high-quality food and remains optimistic about the future for her and her family. The training she received not only gave her the tools to improve her business but also the confidence to envision a brighter future for her family. "I want my life to be better, and for my family too," she said. "For them to be able to provide for themselves as they are entering adulthood."

Looking ahead, Amina plans to continue refining her skills and growing her business, hoping to eventually acquire her own livestock and further expand her production. 

Amina's journey from uncertainty to a more stable livelihood demonstrates the profound impact of targeted support and training to vulnerable communities across Iraq. With the knowledge and equipment necessary for dairy processing provided by UNIDO, with the funding from the Japanese government, Amina knows that through her hard work and newfound knowledge, she is steadily building a better future for herself and her family, one step at a time.