Launching projects supported by Azem in the Northwestern Badia District, in the Mafraq Governorate

33

The Azem Project, funded by UNICEF, and implemented by the Business Development Center – BDC, was launched under the patronage of the Governor of the North West Badia, Mr. Muhammad Al-Dalabeeh, in the presence of the Director of Sama Al-Sarhan District, His Excellency Mr. Nasser Al-Rawashdeh, and in the presence of women and members of the local community including from Al-Sarhan Ladies Sports Club project, and from a women-led photographic studio in Al-Sarhan district in the Mafraq Governorate.

The projects were implemented in Al-Sarhan district, within the North-West Badia District, with a population of 26,350 people distributed over all regions, which includes 5007 families. This region is considered one of the remote areas, with a poverty rate of approximately 38.3%, and an unemployment rate of approximately 29.2%. In addition, the region is also suffering from the additional pressure of Syrian refugees on public services.

The implementation of these projects came through the “Azm” project based on the development and service needs of the people of the region and the needs of the local market from projects that have become lost and affected by the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted “Azem” through the establishment of these projects to contribute to providing job opportunities for the unemployed youth Work.

His Excellency, the Governor of the North West Badia district, Mr. Muhammad Al-Dalabeeh, indicated that such projects were able to reduce unemployment rates in addition to encouraging young people to engage in the projects, and that the creation of such projects will reflect positively on the region in terms of providing services and increasing job opportunities.

Mashael Al-Sarhan, President of the Sarhan Ladies Charitable Society, expressed her gratitude and appreciation to UNICEF and the Business Development Center – BDC for their access to remote areas in need, and for the implementation of services and projects that help develop the region and help girls in particular to find job opportunities.

Raneem Al-Sarhan, one of the beneficiaries of the Azem project whom was supported in the establishment of a photographic studio, said that this project contributed to fulfil her dream and provided her with a real job opportunity, which would reflect positively on her family’s income and meet her financial needs. In addition to that, the project would provide another job opportunity for one of the girls, she said, while explaining how this project responds to a societal need for all segments of the local community.

It is worth noting that Azem – implemented by BDC and funded by UNICEF as an emergency economic support project for the communities most affected by Covid-19 – came as a response to mitigate the effects and consequences of the pandemic and alleviate its economic burden on the most vulnerable areas through providing several services. Azem services include indirect financial grants – through which the project undertakes the purchase of tools and equipment required for the youth projects – as well as trainings, building financial and technical capacities and e-marketing skills, in addition to networking and connecting these projects with local markets. The Azem project provides girls with specialists with guidance and counseling services according to the nature of each project, in addition to the professional and technical experts to organize the operations of the project that young women want to start.