Building livelihoods: A small shop contributes to the local economy in Gawilan refugee camp
Building livelihoods: A small shop contributes to the local economy in Gawilan refugee camp
Hawas arranges stuff at his shop in Gawilan refugee camp.
Every morning in Gawilan Refugee Camp, located in Dohuk Governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, as the narrow lanes fill with voices greeting the day, Hawas walks to his small shop that allows him to provide for himself and his family. With UNHCR’s help, he opened the shop last year, selling household goods, sweets, and small supplies.. The shop, like others, has now become an important part of the camp economy, with customers from all parts of the camp, which currently hosts more than 11,000 refugees. And at an individual level, it has assured the self-reliance of Hawas and his family.
Hawas fled his hometown in northeast Syria in 2019 because of ongoing fighting. He brought with him a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a wide range of skills gained from running a food shop back home in Syria.
Hawas stands at his shop in Gawilan Camp.
When Hawas arrived in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq with his wife and four children, they first lived in Bardarash camp. Even in that temporary setting, he used his experience to open a small shop beside his tent. Three years later, Hawas and his family moved to Gawilan camp in Duhok Governorate. Established in 2013, Gawilan is home to over 11,000 Syrian refugees.
To help vulnerable refugee-households earn a living, in 2024, UNHCR built 45 new shops in Gawilan and gave them to those who needed additional support to find livelihood opportunities. Today, these shops cover many different businesses, including phone shops, food stores, bicycle repair shops, vegetable stands, pastry and sweets shops, electricity tool and maintenance services, tailoring, and clothing stores, depending on the skills and experience of the refugees managing them, and the demands of the camp economy.
When Hawas received his shop, he stocked it and started his business. “They gave me this shop because I had worked before and had experience with running with a shop,” he says. “I sell kitchen supplies, perfumes, hygiene products, toys, and other household items."
The small income I make helps me support my family and cover my children’s needs.” Hawas says.
Inside the neatly arranged shop, colourful goods brought from outside the camp line the shelves. Prices are kept low. Hawas also allows neighbours to buy on credit when they cannot pay immediately. Sometimes, he even gives items for free. “I know what it means to be poor,” he says. “I was once helped by others, and now I help those in need.”
Hawas explains that life in the camp can be difficult. Humanitarian aid has been reduced in recent years, making it harder for many families to get by. Prices for basic goods continue to rise.
“In the past, people relied on aid,” Hawas says. “Now we have to depend on ourselves. The shop is my only source of income.”
In Iraq, refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR have access to government issued documentation and work permits, enabling them to move between cities, run businesses, and join the workforce. These policies facilitate the self-reliance of refugees, allowing them to contribute to the local economy and foster their inclusion into society.
Hawas speaks to a UNHCR field staff in Gawilan camp.
But for Hawas, living in Gawilan camp, which is in a remote location far from other towns and cities, his health condition limits his ability to travel and work outside the camp. His shop has therefore been vital in providing for daily income to support his family. For Hawas, the shop means more than money. It is a symbol of stability in uncertain times. “I am not running this shop for luxury,” he says. “I just want to provide for my family. I want my children to finish school and build a better life. That is every parent’s dream.”
As global funding for humanitarian aid faces cuts, the investments in livelihood projects like this are bearing fruit. Helping refugees earn their own living reduces dependency on aid, brings back dignity and hope, and contributes to the local economy.
“I rely on God and the support of organizations that stand with us,” Hawas says. “We all hope to return home one day. But until then, I will keep working hard for my family’s future.”
Lilly Carlisle contributed reporting to this story.