Helping Hand for Relief and Development Equips 30 New Entrepreneurs in Karachi
Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) gave start-up equipment to 30 new small businesses at an awards ceremony in Karachi, Pakistan. The event is part of the organization’s shift toward long-term economic support alongside emergency aid. KARACHI, Pakistan – Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) provided start-up equipment to 30 newly established small businesses at an awards ceremony in Karachi on [date], recognizing graduates of its Skills Development and Livelihood Enterprise Development project. Many of the businesses are women-led. HHRD CEO Javaid Siddiqi presided over the ceremony. The organization said it is placing greater emphasis on long-term economic support in addition to emergency humanitarian aid. [Add a direct quote from Siddiqi if available.] Helping Hand for Relief and Development Start-Up Support for Small Businesses The businesses include tuck shops, leather goods and clothing. Depending on each business’s needs, HHRD provided initial inventory, sewing machines, beauty kits, vending carts or digital tools. Graduates displayed their products at the event, received feedback and made sales to program leaders and international partners. HHRD said it also arranges similar pop-up sales at local festivals and holiday gatherings to connect graduates with buyers. Helping Hand for Relief and Development Livelihood Training in Pakistan The project combines vocational training, enterprise development and practical business support. Training focuses on industries likely to succeed in the local economy and covers business planning and financial management. Helping Hand for Relief and Development Evaluation Shows Income Growth According to HHRD’s 2025 program evaluation, participants’ average annual profit rose to 417,924 Rs (about $1,524) after receiving support. The evaluation covered participants in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Sindh. [Add the pre-program average for comparison.] Maida Bibi, a 35-year-old woman from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, grew her small dairy farm’s monthly income from 25,000 Rs (about $91) to 150,000 Rs (about $545) with start-up assistance, HHRD reported. Source: HHRD (hhrd.org).
