A total of 508 refugee entrepreneurs were provided with 622 micro-loans to support their newly established or ongoing businesses such as door-to-door selling, tailoring, beauty salon, etc. The repayment rate of the revolving funds in Sana’a was 95.1% in 2019.
Of within, 28 business owners were honored and acknowledged and awarded for their perseverance in establishing and sustaining their businesses successfully in addition to motivating and inspiring others. 123 microloans’ programme beneficiaries received training in project management of micro and small-size businesses, customer service, and accounting and financial management basics.
272 refugees were trained in various 3-6 months vocational training courses including automobile electrician, electrical wiring, mechanics, computer maintenance, mobile maintenance, graphics, photography, perfume and incense making, tailoring, beautification, executive secretary, pastry and confectionery, and mini-chef cooking. 38 refugees benefited from on-the-job training in mechanics, beautification, confectionary, tailoring, mobile maintenance, and laboratory.
Refugee entrepreneurs were prioritized as teachers for this activity as part of UNHCR community empowerment strategy. 211 graduates from vocational training and on-the-job training and successful entrepreneurs received small business support kits to help them build their own businesses and expend their existing ones. 52 refugees benefited from long-term technical education (3-year diploma) in pharmacy, laboratory, a physician assistant, nursing, midwifery, health management, computer sciences and accounting and business administration.
For the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme, 19 TVET students (7 Somali male and 12 Somali female) are attending classes in Aden College.
For life skills courses: 60 women (44 Somali and 16 Ethiopian) attended a total number of 4 life skills training in Basateen. For language and computer classes, a total of 541 refugee youth attended the community-based English language classes and 204 attended the community-based computer classes in the camp and in the child community centre in Aden. The increased interest of refugees in language and computer courses is attributed to their awareness that these courses facilitate the access to work opportunities and scholarships.