Market hopes to give extra earning to refugees
95 views · Published 12 December 2018 · 5:53 · Indexed 4 November 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(7 Dec 2018) LEADIN: A market selling handmade products and colourful paintings by refugees to help them earn a living has been organised just in time for Christmas. Vendors hope it will provide some much-needed income ahead of the winter months. STORYLINE: These colourful mini rugs are just some of the things on display. The items have been made by refugees in Jordan who want to make a living from their crafts. More than 30 refugee vendors are taking part in this winter bazaar organised by the UN refugee agency UNHCR. The three-day event is being held to support refugees and their families at the beginning of the winter season. On display are many decorative items, paintings and wooden objects carved in traditional Middle Eastern style. The City Hall in Amman is hosting the bazaar where participants refugees from different countries, such as Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Somalis and Yemen are taking part. Its main aim is to help refugees to display their products in one of the busiest malls in the capital and give them the opportunity to earn an additional income. "They are now displaying and the fruit of their labour of course they hope to make some sales which will help them also to go through the difficult few months ahead, the winter months," said Stefano Severe, UNHCR representative in Jordan. A selection of paints by Mohammad Jokhadar, a Syrian artist. He hopes to earn some extra money to buy materials as there is no market for any of his work in Zaatari camp where he lives. "We get the chance to offer them to interested customers who can afford to purchase the expensive paintings." said Jokhadar. The participants present their products and handmade items in front of dozens of customers, products such as clothes, jewellery, perfume, food and paintings. Diplomats, ambassadors and UN Agency officials attend the launch of the bazaar. David Bertolotti, French Ambassador to Jordan, even admits he has done some Christmas shopping here. "I'm glad actually to shop in a responsible manner to reward the work of all the refugees here in Jordan, because they have the possibility to work, to earn a living from their work. And I think it's our duty to support them all." Jordan hosts over 57 different nationalities. The Syrian refugees are the largest community with more than 1.3 million people according to government figures. More than 650,000 are registered with UNHCR. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/bf6b55b89817c023cc6249351624276e
