September 18, 2023
News
Finding work in Iraq today is not easy. The country has been scarred by decades of conflict that have prevented its development. There are many skilled craftspeople in Iraq, but they often do not have the means to open their own businesses. Like Meethaq. He had to flee his home because of the self-proclaimed Islamic State and struggled to find a living upon his return. Thanks to our help, Meethaq now has his own business as a welder.
Welding workshop in a historic region
Thirty-seven-year-old Meethaq is originally from the city of Hit, which lies in Iraq's largest region, Anbar. The city, known for its ancient water wheels, fell to Islamic State militants in 2014. Meethaq therefore decided to flee to nearby Ramadi, but even that was captured by ISIS a year later. "During the Islamic State's rule, I tried to take any job that came up. I have three children to provide for. I also take care of my mother, who lives with us. So I worked as a cleaner or a driver, and I also started working as a welder in Ramadi," says Meethaq.
When Meethaq returned to his hometown of Hit after the fall of ISIS, he decided to open his own welding shop. But he did not have the funds to equip it or the knowledge of how to run a business. That is when he read on social media about Caritas Czech Republic’s support for small business owners in Iraq. "I didn't hesitate and immediately applied. I took part in a ten-day business skills training course and learned a lot of useful things. Today I know how to run my own business," says Meethaq. He also received a grant from Caritas Czech Republic, which he used to buy equipment for his welding workshop.
"Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic's help, I have many more customers, I earn more money and I can provide for my family," says Meethaq. He also employs three people in his workshop, giving work to other locals in a region scarred by long conflicts.
Meethaq and his co-workers make doors, railings, fences, gates, and even shelving for Iraqi shops. Customers are satisfied with their work and do not hesitate to recommend them further.
How is Caritas Czech Republic helping in Iraq
Iraq is still struggling with the problems caused by the rule of the self-proclaimed Islamic State. It is particularly difficult to find stable work. That is why Caritas Czech Republic has long been helping Iraqis rebuild their original livelihoods and creating new jobs. We offer business skills training and provide grants to people like Meethaq so that they can open their own businesses and continue to run them.
In Iraq, we are also helping to provide shelter for people who have lost their homes to the war and still lack decent housing and access to basic services. We are also supporting farmers to rebuild their destroyed farms and, with the help of modern equipment and the necessary training, to adapt to the climate change.
Meethaq received our assistance thanks to the support of UNDP and a fund from German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development provided through the German Development Bank.
We can also help the people of Iraq thanks to our donors. Thank you for helping with us.
