Refugees in Jordan feeling the effects of Ukraine conflict

Higher prices, fewer customers

Due to the increase in food prices, Ghena and Hanan are forced to make the prices for their homemade meals and baked goods more expensive. For last year’s Mother’s Day, which falls on March 21 in Jordan, Hanan offered a buffet and received many individual orders. “This year I didn’t have a single order,” reports Hanan. For her, the causes are clear: the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic.

Both women belong to a CARE savings group. With CARE, they learn how to save, build capital, and attract customers. Now, their businesses also have an online presence and Facebook pages. Before Ghena participated in CARE’s training, “I immediately spent any income I received on our house,” she recalls. “Now, I know what capital means and how to invest the money. Before, I did everything without structure or a plan.”

The pandemic was a big challenge for both women.

“During Covid, I hardly had any orders. Hardly anyone wanted to buy anything that had been touched and prepared with bare hands,” Ghena says.

“So, CARE taught us how to adapt to the situation through online courses. We sold only the dough instead of the finished products, or falafel as a paste and uncooked.”

Hanan’s biggest dream is to open her own restaurant. Ghena dreams of showing as many people as possible how to cook and eat healthier.

“At the moment, we don’t know what the next week will bring,” says Ghena. “During Ramadan we usually have more orders from customers. We just have to wait and see what comes.”