Rebuilding Lives: Empowering Women through Agribusiness at Gawilan Refugee Camp

In the heart of Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), nestled 47 kilometers northwest of Erbil in the remote southeastern part of Duhok Governorate, is Gawilan Refugee Camp. Home to over 11,000 Syrian refugees, and one of the most isolated refugee camps within KRI, Gawilan faces numerous obstacles such as socio-economic challenges and high unemployment rates. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the recent influx of 455 families (2,062 people in total) who faced secondary displacement due to the closure of Bardarash Camp in early 2024. Amidst this backdrop of hardship and uncertainty, a beacon of hope and opportunity began to emerge—an agribusiness training programme supported by the Japanese Government and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The 2023-2024 initiative aims to empower Syrian refugee women at Gawilan Refugee Camp in KRI. Building on a successful programme from 2018, UNIDO expanded the initiative to reach more women who lacked income. The project is part of UNIDO's broader "Emergency livelihood support to mitigate the food insecurity crisis among vulnerable people in Iraq," generously funded by the Japanese Government.

For many women in Gawilan, life had been a series of relentless challenges. Before the project, women like Rafaaa Yosef Ali, a 46-year-old single mother of five, had no choice but to work long, grueling hours picking potatoes in the fields near the camp for a meager 10,000 Iraqi Dinars — around USD 7.60 per day. This income was barely enough to cover basic needs, let alone provide any sense of security or hope for the future of her family.

Rafaaa, who relocated to Gawilan from Bardarash after the camp's closure nine months ago, saw the UNIDO project as a lifeline. "I am excited for the goats to reproduce," she shared with a hopeful smile. "I plan to sell the extra goats or use them for meat and also sell dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. This will help me provide a better life for my children."

After interviewing Gawilan Camp's most vulnerable women, including those who recently relocated from Badarash Camp, primarily single mothers and heads of households with husbands too ill to work, UNIDO selected 53 women to participate in the agribusiness initiative. 

The initiative was designed to provide comprehensive support to the women, starting with a six-day intensive training programme. This training covered all aspects of goat farming — from the basics of setting up a goat farm and building shelters for breeding, nutrition, and health management. The women learned to care for young, lactating, and pregnant goats, optimize milk and meat production, and manage diseases and emergencies. They also received training in hygiene and waste management, in addition to entrepreneurial skills such as budgeting, record-keeping, packaging, marketing, and selling their products. 

Following the training, each woman was given two goats — some of which were pregnant — and two baby goats. They also received several months’ worth of feed and all the necessary tools and equipment for milking and dairy production. To ensure the goats were well cared for, a centralized goat house was constructed, complete with individual stalls for each woman, a feeding area, a housing unit for male goats, a service room, and a warehouse. This facility provides a secure and organized environment conducive to efficient goat farming.

For Asmahan Saleh Ali, a 47-year-old mother caring for two daughters while her husband battles illness, the project was an opportunity to provide additional support for her family. "I was very excited to be selected for this project after being interviewed by UNIDO. I love animals, and this project also teaches my children to love them," she explained, adding that her children enjoy helping her take care of the goats. Asmahan has since learned to make yogurt and cheese from goat milk and plans to expand her production as the number of goats increases.

The project's impact extended beyond individual beneficiaries to foster a stronger sense of community within the camp. For Wsal Abdulrahman Aloskan and her husband, Sulaiman Mullah Mohammed, both 52, the project came at a crucial time. Sulaiman had recently undergone open-heart surgery, leaving Wsal to manage their livelihood. "The training was very helpful, and I am grateful to have my own goats now," Wsal said. Sulaiman added, "UNIDO has laid out a clear path for us, guaranteeing the project's benefits for our community."

As the project progresses, it has become clear that the initiative was more than just a means of income; it was a catalyst for rebuilding lives and strengthening community bonds. The women from Bardarash and Gawilan, who had initially been strangers, began to work together, helping each other care for their goats and supporting one another in growing their businesses. "The collaboration among the women has strengthened community bonds," noted Yahya Manaf Ahmed, the camp field officer. "They now assist one another in goat care and business growth."

The training marked a turning point in the life struggles of 36-year-old Bereeban Maasoum Malakhalil. Solely responsible for providing for her family, Bereeban viewed the project as an opportunity to secure her family's livelihood independently, without depending on assistance from the camp or government. "This project gives me the chance to sustain my family without relying on assistance," she said, with her eyes filled with determination. She plans to expand into yogurt and cheese production, aiming to create a stable income for her family.

Mahdya Qenjo Mahmood, a 50-year-old woman who had faced numerous hardships since her husband's disappearance in Damascus, Syria, over 11 years ago, found new hope in the project. "This project is truly remarkable, especially as our goat herd expands," she expressed. "My intention is to sell milk, yogurt, and cheese to provide for my children." Since her husband's disappearance, Mahdya has been the sole caretaker for her two daughters, now aged 14 and 15. The project has given her a renewed sense of purpose and equipped her with the means to support her family.

The success of the agribusiness initiative did not go unnoticed by the camp management. "The Japan-UNIDO project is greatly appreciated by us, and it is crucial for sustaining livelihoods in the camp," said Imaad Osman Salih, the Deputy Camp Manager. "The project not only provides income but also strengthens the community bonds and resilience."

To support the beneficiaries, UNIDO enlisted the help of Salih, known as “Abu Omer”, a seasoned volunteer with extensive experience in goat rearing. Abu Omer, who had owned his own goats in Syria before fleeing to KRI, provides invaluable support to the project by offering security for the goat house and assisting the women with any issues they encounter and answering questions they may have. His expertise and willingness to help others have been instrumental in the project's success.

The agribusiness initiative at Gawilan camp is more than just a success story; it is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and international cooperation. Through targeted, sustainable development initiatives, the Japanese Government and UNIDO have transformed the lives of vulnerable Syrian refugee women, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to achieve economic independence and improve their quality of life. The project will further strengthen food security and economic stability in Gawilan Camp, offering a viable pathway to a better future for these resilient women and their families.

For further information, please contact:

Izumi Ogawa, International Project Coordinator
Email: i.ogawa@unido.org