Embassy Highlights 

Landmine and War Victims in the South Raise Goats to Increase their Income

November 21, 2007
 

Elie, a 42-year old war survivor, cares for his four newly-acquired goats...

With funding from USAID, landmine and war victims and their families residing in the Southern district of Jezzine received goats, as part of an income-generating initiative. The goat rearing program has thus far provided four goats to fifteen landmine victims in the area. Goats will be sold for meat as well as used for milk production, with the aim of increasing the goat owners’ household income by about $250 per month. As part of the program, each goat owner receives technical training, veterinary services for the goats, feed for a period of three months and marketing services.

Funded by USAID since 2001, the landmine and war victims’ assistance program is implemented by the World Rehabilitation Fund (WRF), in partnership with the Development Cooperative in Jezzine. The program assists disadvantaged and disempowered landmine and war survivors in their quest for livelihood, dignity, financial independence and self-determination. The program provides income-generating activities to its beneficiaries through raising chickens for egg and broiler production, beekeeping for honey and beeswax production, herb cultivation for essential oil production and goat raising for meat and milk production.