Employment creation through Do-nou Technology

Do-nou is a Japanese word for gunny bag with soil wrapped in it. Do-nou Technology is a soil reinforcement technique which involves use of gunny bags filled appropriately with either sand, farm soil, gravel and the opening properly secured. Do-nou makes use of locally available materials hence sustainable, easily adoptable by the community and can be replicated.

Speaking during the launch event, ILO programme officer Mr. Abdi Issack said, “This initiative is part of the Durable Solution project for Refugee Returnees funded by the Government of Japan which was launched in February 2016 in Baidoa. The initiative targets to improve damaged rural roads that are impassible during rainy season and it will create employment opportunities for refugee returnees, internally displace persons (IDPs) and host community in Baidoa.”

Baidoa District Commissioner and Mayor of Baidoa Town Mr. Abdullahi Ali Watiin noted that about 135 young women and men from Baidoa town have been identified and were empowered with Do-nou technology skills to participate in the rehabilitation of 600 meter road. The trained women and men thereafter will form groups while they participate in the labour intensive road construction that will run for 21 days using Do-nou technology.

“Currently, economic reintegration component of the project consisting of integrated skills and entrepreneurship is on-going for 320 beneficiaries that will run for 4 months. At the end of the training 160 potential entrepreneurs will be selected after a business idea competition is conducted and they will be awarded start-up grants creating self-employment opportunities,” added the District Commissioner.

Bay Regional Governor Mr. Abdirashid Abdullahi and South West Administration Director General for Ministry of Resettlement and Diaspora Affairs have both welcomed the Do-nou technology saying that it will improve road accessibility and create jobs for the unemployed refugee returnees and host community. Speaking on behalf of South West Administration, Bay Regional Governor extended appreciation to the government and people of Japan for their tireless support and for introducing such innovative and affordable technology for improving roads accessibility.