YEMEN: Sidr honey – a precious commodity in Yemen – is considered the most expensive honey in the world. Produced by artisanal beekeepers in eastern and southern governorates of the country, it is not only what they live for, but also the chief source of income for thousands of people. In 2014, hundreds of families were displaced as a result of the conflict and violence in different parts of southern Yemen. These were families of beekeepers and making honey is all they knew. To improve the livelihoods of families of displaced beekeepers, the ICRC began running an income-generating project to benefit these populations by encouraging a traditional income-generating activity to ensure livelihoods are sustained and to help them be better at what they already did best: producing high-quality honey. In addition to training sessions to improve beekeeping practices, honey production and disease control, the project provides some 310 selected beekeepers in nine villages of Al Radoo valley in Al Dhalea governorate with the necessary materials, such as beehives with iron holders, bee colonies, sugar, smokers, combs, honey extractors and protective clothing.
IRAQ: The Iraqi Red Crescent Society is the only humanitarian organization actively working in the city of Mosul nowadays. The organization’s volunteers have so far distributed food parcels for 10,000 individuals, heaters for 450 families, 4,500 blankets and 891 lanterns. Furthermore, the Iraqi Red Crescent’s Prosthetics Centre is currently helping people with special needs through producing prosthetic parts and providing maintenance for them. Since the eruption of the latest wave of violence, 500 persons with special needs have benefitted from the Centre’s services.