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IOM Fosters Community-Based Reintegration Through the Recycling of Khat Waste in Ethiopia
Aweday, Ethiopia – In the town of Aweday, east of Dire Dawa in the Oromia region, a remarkable transformation is taking place among a group of individuals clad in navy work suits, heavy gloves and boots. Among them is Biftu a resilient 19-year-old woman whose life took a positive turn through an innovative job development initiative.
"I wouldn't be able to support myself if it weren't for this initiative. My attitude towards life has changed because of this job, and I now earn enough to modestly support my family and myself,” says Biftu, highlighting the potential of local solutions.
Biftu, once at a crossroads after facing educational setbacks, found hope through a unique initiative. Instead of succumbing to the allure of irregular migration routes, she became part of a community driven project facilitated by Positive Action for Development (PAD), a local partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The project involves recycling plastic and creating charcoal briquettes from khat straws providing a sustainable and long-lasting cooking fuel. and had decided to take the path commonly used by irregular migrants who leave Ethiopia and traverse eastwards towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Djibouti, the Gulf of Aden and Yemen.
"My attitude towards life has changed because of this job, and I now earn enough to modestly support my family and myself."
The 150-person strong community initiative was launched in August 2022 to assist returnees sustainably reintegrate and is also actively engaging previously unemployed local community members like Biftu, providing livelihood opportunities. The waste from khat shrubs, a byproduct of the economic activity in Aweday, serves as a raw material for the association's operations, emphasizing the circular and sustainable nature of the initiative.
Biftu, once uncertain about her future, is now a skilled participant in the charcoal briquette production process. The local government’s support, including providing land, registering the firm, and training community members, has played a crucial role in the project. Biftu’s journey illustrates that individuals can be agents of change for their communities.
"We are grateful for the support this initiative has given to returning migrants and young people without jobs, and we would like to thank IOM, the Dutch government, as well as the other partners."
"We are grateful for the support this initiative has given to returning migrants and young people without jobs, and we would like to thank IOM, the Dutch government, as well as the other partners,” expresses Dr Efrah Wozir Abdulahi, the mayor of Aweday.
This project in Aweday is one of many community-based reintegration initiatives being carried out in Ethiopia as part of IOM’s Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships for Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS). Launched in 2021 by IOM and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with 14 countries, COMPASS aims to enhance migrants’ access to protection-sensitive pathways and to empower migrants of all gender and diversity groups, thereby enabling them to contribute to sustainable development outcomes in their communities.
