Baku - The coronavirus pandemic has led to a shortage of personal protection equipment such as face masks in Azerbaijan. The current residents of the shelter of Temiz Dunya took the initiative and with their best efforts try to solve problems with a lack of face masks, for themselves, but also for the other local community. They use the available materials and sewing machines to start sewing masks at the shelter for their own use and protection and for workers of communal services who must be out in public.

Mrs. Mehirban Zeynalova, head of the shelter said that they have got fabric and sewing machines provided by IOM Azerbaijan for the shelter’s residents to launch the new ventures. “Some our residents were taught to sew. That’s just the human response to do what you can — based on what you have,” she said.

Mrs. Mehirban Zeynalova said that they know that homemade masks are no replacement for medical-grade equipment. But they are operating on the assumption that a homemade mask is better than nothing. With right materials they can do more.

IOM Azerbaijan is currently conducting “Counter-Trafficking in Persons Activity” project funded by USAID/Azerbaijan since 2015 and improves living conditions, supports business initiatives of the residences of the shelter by providing them trainings, the required equipment and raw materials needed to launch the new ventures.

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