Addis Ababa, 17 August 2023: 1000 female-led businesses impacted by the conflict in Afar, Amhara and Tigray will receive support from resources mobilised through a crowdfunding campaign launched by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Great Ethiopia Run (GER).
“When the ravages of conflict reached Magale district, me and my children were forced to leave our beloved village, our home and all we had built including my shop,” says Medina. When the dust settled and the conflict subsided, I returned to my home village, hoping for solace and respite. However, I faced a somber reality. My pillar of strength, my husband had tragically lost his life in the conflict. I also discovered that the shop I had poured my heart and soul into was destroyed,” Medina narrates how the conflict shattered their life.
Medina’s story is not unique but is one that is shared by women in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions. Lives have been lost and livelihoods destroyed during the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
“Rebuild Her Business” is a crowdfunding campaign supporting women-led businesses that faced the destruction of property, interruption in the supply change and inaccessible markets. Each businesswoman is expected to receive US$500 to support her business.
The women entrepreneurs will also get psychosocial and mental health support and their recovery will be
the visible face of a society that is on the road to healing.
The GER comes into this crowdfunding campaign with a strong track-record in partnering with the UN on outreach around promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fundraising for local worthy causes. The Rebuild Her Business campaign will benefit from the “Running for Cause” Charity initiative linked with the annual 10k race.
The campaign complements a wider intervention that UNDP has designed for the Peace Support Facility for the three regions that will require a budget of $200m. This is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the intersection between humanitarian support, peacebuilding, and development recovery.
About UNDP
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
Media enquiries: Communication.et@undp.org and Hilina Negussie, Great Ethiopian Run, hilina@ethiopianrun.org, Tel: +251911601710
