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CARE rescues displaced Syrians as winter storms hit
ِWhile winter storms pleasured many people in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon as rain is a good source of water which is essential for humans, animals, and plant life, it is also bad news for the Syrian refugees that living in tents and abandoned buildings.
According to a CARE International statement, Syrians have found their situation exacerbated following the heavy winter storms.
In the last 40 years, the Levant region (Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria) has not experienced this severe drop in temperature, reaching -14°C and lower, the statement from the international humanitarian organization said.
Strong winds reaching up to 80km/h, with heavy snow in mountainous areas threatening the lives of millions of people who are already living in miserable circumstances.
6.8 million Syrians live as refugees in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, in Syria, over 6.7 million people have been internally displaced most of them have found shelter in tents, unfinished buildings, and sheds, leaving them at risk of harsh winter conditions.
Winter assistance is more important than ever to help the most vulnerable refugees keep a roof over their heads and their families safe from the cold, with extremely low temperatures in Jordan now and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even In Lebanon, refugees live across hundreds of informal settlements, without adequate protection, they are already suffering the consequences of an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon and have no resources or ways to protect themselves against the expected snowstorms, people are jobless and have no income.
The situation is disturbing in Syria, with the terrible shelter conditions, limited fuel supply, and the use of dangerous materials to stay warm, resulting in grave health and environmental impacts.
“During the cold winter, mothers are usually the last ones to eat, and children are usually the first ones to freeze,” said Sherine Ibrahim, CARE Turkey’s country director, in the statement.
CARE’s teams across the region have been able to help more than 86,000 people in Syria and 4,000 people in Jordan with winter equipment support, CARE is supporting displaced people with insulating their tents, strengthening temporary shelters, and giving warm clothing, blankets, and cash so people can afford fuel for heating, as they are most affected by the cold.
The conflict in Syria has been ongoing for almost 11 years, and according to CARE donors are growing tired of funding humanitarian assistance, the needs have only increased over the past years, and right now people fearing to freeze to death because of desperately needed funding is unavailable.
“These weather conditions, snowfall, and sub-zero temperatures are not unusual in the Middle East, weather change has caused increased flooding and rainfall, flash floods are simply washing away the tents and the few belongings people were able to take when their houses were bombed in Syria, the winter became harsher while families are less and less able to cope with it,” CARE said.
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Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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