British MP & Activists Visit FYF Enterprise & Training Center
Khanke, Duhok
British Member of Parliament Brendan O’Hara visited FYF’s Enterprise & Training Center, the Khanke IDP camp, and FYF’s center to combat violence against women in Sheikhan, accompanied by a team from Bellwether International. Mr. O’Hara chairs the British All Party Parliamentary Group on Yezidis in the United Kingdom. Bellwether International has collaborated with FYF in the provision of skills and training to FYF social workers and counselors in Sheikhan. The delegation was concerned with the continued displacement of Yezidi families as well as the reduction of services provided to them. FYF shared some of the initiatives to help bolster the economic strength of the Yezidi community, with a focus on Yezidi women.
Separately, British legal expert Dr. Ewelina Ochab and the British-led Yezidi Emergency Services organization visited FYF’s Enterprise & Training Center to understand the FYF training and employment model and show support for the Yezidi artisans. They also met with the Sugar is Sweet bakery team and had a chance to sample Yezidi-made products. Furthermore, Dr. Ochab met with six male Yezidi survivors of ISIS captivity, hosted by FYF Country Director Hewan Omer. The meeting was to better understand the current needs of this unique group of survivors and how to ensure they are not forgotten in recovery, reparations, and support efforts. Dr. Ochab will include the results of this meeting in discussions and documentation in the UK and Europe. The Yezidi Emergency Services organization has been very active in providing aid and support to vulnerable Yezidis throughout Nineveh and Duhok governorates and has been dedicated to promoting Yezidi recovery in the UK and on the ground in Iraq.
