In Burao, Somaliland, the future is looking brighter for 300 participants from five internally displaced persons (IDP) camps who recently completed a brick-making training. This hands-on training programme equips them with skills to build durable homes and create sustainable livelihoods, ultimately offering a path to resilience and self-reliance. This training initiative, funded by the European Union, represents a transformative opportunity for these individuals to gain stability and independence.
Burao hosts many displaced people who have fled from conflicts and drought. These IDPs often face challenges such as inadequate shelter, limited income opportunities, and barriers to economic inclusion. Despite these challenges, the community has shown remarkable resilience and an eagerness to rebuild their lives. However, a critical gap remains: access to skills and resources that enable them to secure a stable income and improve their living conditions.
This training is more than just about learning to make bricks. It is about giving people the tools they need to rebuild their lives. With the brick-making machines we have distributed, participants can now produce their own materials to improve their housing conditions and, more importantly, generate income for their families.
The Brick Making Techniques training, organised by the Danish Refugee Council and funded through the Somali Resilience Program (SomReP) as part of the EU-BREACH Project, introduced a structured approach focused on experiential learning. Small group activities and practical demonstrations enabled active engagement, allowing participants to grasp the technical skills needed to produce durable bricks. By distributing 100 brick-making machines to trainees, the project provided resources that extend beyond the training, empowering participants to scale up production and contribute to the local economy.
This training has already shown positive outcomes. Participants not only gained practical skills but also experienced a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. For Ibrahim, one of the trainees, the newfound ability to produce bricks means he can provide a safer home for his family and generate income. Women participants, like Fatuma, discovered newfound empowerment, breaking into an industry that was once unimaginable for them. The training has thus fostered both individual and communal resilience, helping to bridge gaps between displaced and host communities.
We have not just delivered a training programme; we have laid a foundation for long-term resilience in these communities. The brick-making machines will last for years, helping participants generate income and improve infrastructure. This is a skill that will serve them well.
The EU-BREACH Project is not only about skill development but also about social inclusion, cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. By involving both displaced and host communities, this initiative is building bridges and creating opportunities that strengthen the fabric of society in Burao and beyond. As the project continues, the skills imparted will not only contribute to economic empowerment but also help foster a future marked by collaboration and resilience.