GENEVA, Switzerland, February 11, 2014 – IOM has opened a four-day refresher training course in business management and entrepreneurship in Borama, Somaliland. The training will benefit 30 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borama who are taking part in an IOM micro-finance grants project.

The objective of the training is to review and supplement previously implemented business management training that was conducted by IOM and its implementing partner Somaliland Y-Peer over a period of four months. The 30 beneficiaries received this training prior to receiving micro-finance grants of USD 550 dollars each from IOM in November 2013.

With this grant, beneficiaries established a variety of small businesses, including grocery stores, animal trading businesses and bakeries. The aim of the micro-finance project was to improve the financial conditions of IDP households, leading to improved food security; and to lessen the burden of economic hardships that are the major drivers of economic migration.

The training will provide a platform for the beneficiaries to exchange their experiences and lessons they have learnt from the field. One-to-one sessions were also held with the beneficiaries to learn from their progress and to provide tailored advice and recommendations to cope with challenges and problems.

Ruun from Sheikh Osman IDP camp is one of 30 beneficiaries in Borama who received the business grant and participated in the refresher training. “My husband is mentally ill and my son is unemployed. I have two daughters and one of them is in the university. I used to worry a lot before. I could not pay the food bills and it was hard for me to pay the fees. Now, things are a lot easier. With the money I received from IOM, my business is thriving. I have greater hope now,” said Ruun, who opened a small shop and can provide food now to her family.

IOM’s livelihood projects in Somalia are funded by the Japanese government.