Marwa Nasser is a 23-year old micro-business owner from Tuban in Lahj. After her older brother was killed in conflict, Marwa – whose father was elderly and ill – became financially responsible for her family. Originally, she tried to continue her father and brother’s livestock and farming business.  But eventually, Marwa returned to her true interest in drawing and painting. 

Marwa’s situation is not unusual in Yemen.  As a result of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, female-headed households have increased dramatically.  The Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen joint programme empowers female household-heads to cope with crisis-related financial challenges by establishing small businesses. Funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with Care International, participants are provided with training, a small grand and guidance as they plan and launch their businesses. Of more than 1,600 participants in Abyan, Hajjah and Hudaydah governorates, 32 per cent are female.

Marwa will readily attest to the impact of the project: “I never thought that I would be the family’s breadwinner, neither did I ever think that my hobby of drawing would be the sole source of income for my family and me someday.  

Now, she says, “I earn around US$20 per day which I divide into, US$4 for livestock, US$4 for personal and college related expenses, while the remaining amount covers other daily basic necessities.”

Her father adds that, in fact, “She has been able to cover what her brother used to in terms of livestock fodder as well as basic daily necessities for the family.”

Because participants are able to care for their families and contribute to their communities, the indirect benefits are exponential.

The Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen (ERRY) joint programme is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Food Programme (WFP) in the Yemeni governorates of Hajjah, Hudaydah, Lahj and Abyan.  The three-year programme aims to enhance the resilience and self-reliance of crisis-affected rural communities through support to livelihoods stabilization, food security, local governance, social cohesion and improved access to sustainable energy. UNDP works in partnership with the Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF).

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