Waheen Market Relief
On 1 April 2022, a mammoth fire burnt down Suuqa Waheen, Somaliland’s largest open-air market, located in the center of the capital city Hargeisa. The fire, which lasted over 24 hours, scoured across businesses in the market affecting wholesalers as much as small-scale retailers. Thankfully no human lives were lost.
The overcrowded layout of the market, with stalls made of plastic sheets and wooden structures, contributed to the spreading flames. The fire demolished the incomes and assets of traders – majority of whom have no access to banks and financial credit. The market provided employment for over 12,000 people – many of them living at the subsistence level.
As an immediate response to the market incident, Shaqodoon in collaboration with Oxfam came up with the idea of supporting 80 micro business owners and street vendors (60% women) with grants, on-site and one-to-one business skills training, and mentorship to revitalize their livelihoods followed by psychosocial support to help victims heal from the fire tragedy and facilitate the successful relaunch of their businesses. This timely support helped the selected households reclaim their livelihoods, while at the same time contributing to the resumption of market activities.
For the successful implementation of the project, Shaqodoon Organization collaborated with the national Ad-hoc Waheen Committee, formed shortly after the market fire and consists of representatives from the Hargeisa Municipality, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Shaqodoon Organization and the committee met to discuss the project's preparation and how they could both work together to ensure that the execution of the project was successful.
Shaqodoon Organization gave the national ad hoc committee detailed information about the project, its objectives and the expected outcome, coupled with a list of selection criteria and fundamental standards that were to be observed before providing the help allotted to eighty small enterprises affected by the fire. Several points were agreed upon at the meeting, including the drafting and signing of an MoU which clearly defined the role of each party during the implementation of the project and its reporting channels to expeditiously begin the process of supporting the eighty microbusinesses that were directly affected by the fire.
After the meeting, the committee and Shaqodoon reached an agreement on all the requirements and conditions, with both parties signing a document outlining the specifics of their working relationship. The agreement gave parties clear instructions on their respective responsibilities for the successful implementation and disbursement of cash grants.
Under the Memorandum of Settlement, Shaqodoon Organization and the National Waheen Market Committee were able to assist impacted businesses regain their livelihoods. Mentorship was offered to the supported persons who were then prompted to open bank accounts and keep up with basic bookkeeping to avert future risks.
“I received $925 from Shaqodoon Organization and The Waheen Market Committee, I was then able to buy stock that I can sell and take care of my family’s needs, as well as buy medicine for my husband.”
Nagaad Hassan, a forty-three-year-old mother of ten children is the sole provider of her household. She also nurses her bedridden husband after his stroke five years ago. “I work for my family, taking care of bills and my husband’s medical expenses. The house we live in costs $120 every month. On the day I make a sale, I use the money to buy food for the house, and some days we go hungry.”
Nagaad had a small stall at the Waheen Market where she sold jewelry and sweet-smelling incense. She lost everything to the fire. “Before the devasting fire, I made $100 to $120 a day, these days I earn $30 on a good day.”
After the fire, Nagaad faced a massive blow to her business capital, she was unable to afford her otherwise costly rent and living expenses, life had become a burden.
She currently does not pay rent on the street she now operates out of – a sign of good will from the shop she sits in front of.
“I received $925 from Shaqodoon Organization and The Waheen Market Committee, I was then able to buy stock that I can sell and take care of my family’s needs, as well as buy medicine for my husband.
My business is slowly starting to pick back up, customers are coming back because I now have things to sell to them, the entire market is recovering well.”
“ I used the money to pay of my outstanding loans and rent and even invest in my business.”
Thirty-six-year-old Farah has two wives and two children. He is also responsible for his extended family comprised of his brothers, mother, and nieces who all live with him.
Before the fire, Farah had a shop in the heart of the market that sold women and children’s clothing. Now he runs his diminished business on the side of the street.
“The fire caused damage to my family. I used to be able to support my two families and now I cannot afford to pay the rent for one of them that lives in a rented house.”
For Farah, a difficult day at the market meant he made at least $150. Usually, he made $300 to $500 a day, and these days he makes $25 a day.
“Among the challenges we faced after the fire included the rising cost of living and inflation, the economy was also adversely affected. In the past, I thought of ways of expanding my business, these days I wonder whether I can afford to buy a bag of rice. However, I am hopeful that better days will come.”
“I received $925 in assistance from Shaqodoon Organization, I used the money to pay of my outstanding loans and rent and even invest in my business.”