Productive capacity across Gaza has suffered severe damage over the past three years, leaving markets disrupted and the cost of basic goods sharply higher, news.un.org reported. Despite ongoing uncertainty and destruction, women entrepreneurs are working to sustain existing livelihoods, restart shuttered businesses, and create new economic opportunities where previous ones disappeared.
Nidaa Restores Her Animal Business After Displacement
Nidaa, a 35-year-old resident of Khan Younis, runs a business raising and selling chickens, ducks, and rabbits. Trained as a teacher, she chose to follow a childhood passion learned from her mother, who also worked with animals. When her home was destroyed during the war, Nidaa saved some of her animals and relocated them to southern Khan Younis, using the enterprise to support her family, including two brothers with disabilities.
Constant challenges have accompanied her efforts. Especially during the time of famine, I lost many animals,
Nidaa told news.un.org, noting that food became prohibitively expensive. Current obstacles include securing winter shelter, accessing safe water, and obtaining limited feed ingredients for her livestock.
Through a partnership between the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the local Chamber of Commerce, Nidaa received a grant for animals and equipment alongside production skills training. She now plans to expand her business and inspire other women to work with animals.
Hanaa Rebuilds a Family Dairy Business After Loss
In Gaza City, 49-year-old Hanaa launched a family dairy business with her husband in 2021. During the conflict, she lost her husband, one of her sons, and her enterprise, leaving her to support three surviving children and five orphaned relatives. Encouraged by her eldest son, Fouad, Hanaa decided to restart production despite severe shortages of milk and raw materials.
Sometimes, the people who need us are the reason we find the strength to keep going,
Hanaa stated, according to news.un.org. Power grid destruction has complicated dairy manufacturing, as frequent electricity interruptions cause products to spoil and create financial losses during widespread resource scarcity.
Grant funding enabled Hanaa to resume producing cheese, milk, labneh, and laban. She aims to scale the operation into a larger facility to secure a stable household income.
Hanin Learns Carpentry Through Vocational Training Programs
Other women are establishing new livelihoods by acquiring entirely unfamiliar trades. Hanin, a 36-year-old from southern Khan Younis, travels to Deir al-Balah to complete 80 hours of vocational training in carpentry, followed by business-planning instruction, news.un.org reported.
This is something unique, especially for women,
Hanin said. It’s needed now more than ever, because there are limited sources of wood for furniture, and many people lost their furniture during the war.
Hanin is among more than 200 trainees acquiring skills in carpentry, textiles, recycling, compost production, data science, graphic design, and digital marketing as part of regional recovery programs.
UNDP Funding and Systemic Challenges in Local Recovery
According to the UNDP/PAPP Economic Resilience Portfolio cited by undparabic.exposure.co, sustaining women-led enterprises requires functioning infrastructure, including reliable energy, water, affordable inputs, and accessible materials. The agency notes that supporting these businesses preserves local productive capacity, generates income, and anchors economic activity within Palestinian communities.
UNDP has supported 6,000 emergency employment opportunities since October 2023. Nidaa and Hanaa are among 30 women receiving targeted assistance through the Gaza Neighbourhood Approach, an initiative combining shelter, essential services, and livelihood support.
Community Support Facts
- Emergency Jobs: UNDP has backed 6,000 emergency employment opportunities since October 2023, according to undparabic.exposure.co.
- Targeted Grants: Thirty women business owners receive direct aid through the Gaza Neighbourhood Approach, news.un.org reported.
- Skills Diversity: Over 200 participants are enrolled in vocational training covering carpentry, textiles, recycling, and digital marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gaza Economic Recovery Initiatives
What specific financial and technical support do women receive for their businesses?
Micro, small, and medium enterprises receive grants, equipment, and specialized skills development through the UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) and local chamber partnerships.
How many emergency employment opportunities has UNDP generated since the conflict began?
UNDP has supported 6,000 emergency employment opportunities across the region since October 2023, according to undparabic.exposure.co.
Which specific initiative integrates housing and livelihood support in Gaza?
The Gaza Neighbourhood Approach initiative coordinates shelter, essential services, and livelihood opportunities to help displaced communities regain basic operational conditions.
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