Crafting a better future

When it comes to the world’s refugee crises, it goes without saying that the rate at which people are being displaced, in battle-affected places all over the world, is much higher than the rate at which they are getting help. Despite organized efforts of globally active non-profit agencies, the refugee crisis is escalating and poses a huge threat to the world.

Helping in a small yet concentrated, sincere and effective way is fashion designer Huma Adnan, who has used her brand’s ethos, which is primarily the love for indigenous craft, to help displaced individuals in Karachi. For over a year now she has been working, in collaboration with the UNHCR, to develop sustainable solutions to financially empowering refugees in the city.

Pakistan currently hosts 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, with around 67,000 of them residing in Karachi. These are documented numbers; there are estimated to be almost a million more undocumented, displaced individuals. The numbers are staggering and on the rise. But there are people who are trying to help.

“Our aim is to provide vocational training to the refugees, in jewelry and textile craft and now also home decor, in order to eventually convert them into entrepreneurs so that they become productive members of society and can sustain themselves and become independent,” says Huma. “The aim of this partnership between UNHCR and Huma Adnan is to eventually provide a sustainable means of living for the refugees. We started this project about a year ago, hoping to be able to help in any way that we could.”

A little help goes a long way; the number of women went from 5 to 50 and through an organized retail network, Huma managed to sell a little more than 350 pieces valued at PKR 1.16 million.

“From this revenue, all of the profit goes back to the refugees. In numbers that’s 50 per cent of our revenue hence PKR 580,000 goes directly back to the beneficiaries,” she explained, also throwing light on the clarity and transparency with which the project is being handled.

A small fashion show in Islamabad last year launched Craft Stories and then several campaigns and editorial shoots over the year created awareness of the important work that was being done. A lot more is in the pipeline, with the primary aim being to create local and global awareness around the campaign.

“The more demand we create for the products, the more people we can recruit for the trainings which eventually, according to our aim, translates into a better society and not just individuals but a whole community of self-sufficient, sustainable entrepreneurs. To change this dream into a reality, efforts and measures need to be made in both social and legal aspects.”