social enterprise partners - Pakistan

Koel

About Koel

Koel is a social enterprise based in Karachi, Pakistan was established in 1977 to promote the revival of hand-loom weaving and block-printing. Koel’s collections feature fabrics that have been colored using renewable natural dyes extracted from leaves, flowers, roots and bark. Koel’s collections, made using cotton, chiffon, linen and silk, include home decor items, apparel and textiles.

Refugee Artisan Group

A group of 5 Afghan refugee women in Pakistan collaborate with Koel. These artisans create both block-printed and embroidered home decor items using handwoven linen materials.

© Koel

Afghan

Emergency

Learn more about UNHCR’s work in Pakistan

Partners
since:
2020

Artisan
origin:
Afghanistan

Production
Locations:

Karachi, Pakistan

Heritage skills

Afghan embroidery, block printing

Features

"Humanitarian assistance saves lives and must continue wherever needs arise. But when emergency tools become the long-term default, and entire generations remain trapped in dependency, we are not building sustainability. We must measure success by whether people can rebuild their lives."

Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees