Displaced Persons Set Up Thriving Businesses in West Kordofan, Sudan “My life has changed so much. I can now afford to provide for my family, my children’s education and have a successful business.” Hamad Mohammed Aboduma is a 35 year old male living in Almagroor locality in Sudan’s West Kordofan State with his father, 12 uncles, wife and 7 children. Hamad was originally settled in Dereiga in East Darfur, however, in 2004 his family was displaced to Um Daboon West Kordofan due to conflicts and the loss of land, cattle, and their home. In 2012, after eight years in Um Daboon, they were forced to move again due to tribal conflicts. His tone saddens as he talks of the struggle. “The journey was very hard, I lost so much of my family on the way, but thank god we are here…for now”. They are now settled in Almagroor locality in West Kordofan, where he has set up a veterinary medicine distribution service with the help of IOM Income Generating Activity startup kits. Income Generating Activities is one of the major components of IOM Sudan’s livelihoods interventions conducted in South & West Kordofan and Blue Nile State. As part of IOM’s engagement with displaced people, funded by the Government of Canada, IOM aims to contribute to improved humanitarian assistance for populations on the move, returnees and displaced people within the three
states. Given the ongoing and increasing displacement, there is great need for sustainable livelihood options. Income Generating Activities are a step toward early recovery for internally displaced persons who have settled in or returned to these states. IOM Sudan collaborated with national NGO partners to provide training on skills and business planning to 207 individuals from 2014-2015. Trainees devised business ideas, among them Hamad, whose proposal was one of 50 that were selected in his state for business start-up assistance. Across the programme, a total of 150 proposals were selected, 50 from each state and provided with startup kits. These start-up kits cater to the particular business proposal for each beneficiary, with proposals including entertainment clubs, veterinary pharmacies/distribution stores, and service stores, amongst many other ideas. Hamad speaks of the difference this project has made to his life. He now uses the extra money for family and household expenses, which has improved their lifestyle and in particular diversified their diet, as they can now afford a variety of foods. Hamad invests 50 per cent of his profits back into his business, buying more veterinary medicines and
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Hamad displays different varieties of veterinary medicines for his initial dispatch orders
increasing the selection available to meet the high demand in his village. “I used to make 1,500 to 2,000SDG (237-317USD) a month, now I make over 7,000SDG (1,108USD) a month and have hired someone to work in my shop. I pay him 1,200SDG.” As he laughs elatedly over the phone, he expresses how proud he is of the progress and that he has been able to help others by providing jobs and contributing to someone else in his village having income and improving their family situation. His business is increasing and with it, is his smile.