Paving the Road to Economic Recovery: Sinuni Main Road

After years of conflict, poor road conditions became a serious impediment to the success of local businesses in Sinjar. The economic repercussions of genocide created a devastating situation for returnees to Sinjar.

By rehabilitating Sinuni Main Road in North Sinjar, Nadia's Initiative and USAID supported the mobility and economic development of many returnees, including Waleed Khalid, a restaurant owner who established his business after Sinuni Main Road was reconstructed.

"We're all familiar with how the street used to be. Cars were unable to stop on the road. If I had opened my restaurant when the street was polluted, my food would not have been as clean as it is today, and I would have had much fewer customers," Khalid shared.

The rehabilitation of Sinuni Main Road provided Khalid and many others with the chance to improve their livelihoods. The new road has already greatly contributed to the region’s commerce and sanitation, which is the main reason Khalid and many others have decided to establish new businesses. Improved transportation has enabled many returnees to boost their livelihoods while encouraging those still displaced to return home.

"I am so excited about my new place. I've been working on the restaurant design for many months since I want it to be the best in town. Even though my restaurant is quite new, I can say that business has been good thus far. Every day, people from my neighborhood, as well as new customers from all around, come to my restaurant.”

Nadia's Initiative has empowered tens of thousands of Yazidi returnees in Sinjar through the implementation of targeted livelihood initiatives.