Yemen – Yemeni woman starts a start-up to overcome hardship of Taiz siege

Location: Taiz – Yemen

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:03:07

Source: A24 subscribers

Restrictions: A24 clients

Dateline: 18/05/2022

Storyline:

The siege of Taiz and aftereffects of war in Yemen have led to deteriorating economic conditions and high unemployment rate, which exacerbated citizens’ suffering. In order to overcome these hardships, young woman Mervat Amin started her own start-up of extracting and mixing natural oils. Mervat, who has become the epitome of a survivor in times of war, has achieved excellence in her work and high quality products. She has managed to make deals with traders selling them natural oils in large sums difficult to import due to siege and war. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg has called on all involved parties to hold a meeting a soon as possible to discuss the opening of roads in Taiz and other governorates in accordance with the truce. The truce includes guaranteeing supply of essential goods and services as well as ensuring the right to travel within Yemen. Taiz, a city surrounded by mountains, where 600.000 people reside is under the control of Yemeni government forces. However, it’s been besieged for years by Houthis, who shell it regularly.

Shotlist:

Soundbite (Mervat Amin – Start-up owner):

            “I started ‘Bawazir oil extracts’ as a means of living to overcome difficulties of war and financial struggles. The start-up started with the production of Bawazir oil extracted from Fenugreek, which sold in high quantities and the business took off from there.”

Soundbite (Nuha Abdul Qader):

            “She produces many high quality oil extracts that customer love. She is the epitome of a successful business woman, which enabled her to successfully break into the market.”