The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hillary Onek, and his deputy Lillian Aber, have held a meeting with the World Bank to review the implementation of the International Development Association (IDA) Window for Host Communities and Refugees (WHR).
The engagement focused on assessing progress under the programme, which aims to strengthen service delivery in refugee-hosting districts while expanding livelihoods and economic opportunities for both refugees and host communities.
In a statement shared on her X platform, Aber said the discussions covered infrastructure development in key sectors including water, health, education, and roads.
The meeting also addressed improved coordination among ministries, departments and agencies, collaboration with local governments, implementation and accountability challenges, and the need to ensure sustainability and social cohesion.
According to the ministers, the meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment between the Government of Uganda and the World Bank to promote inclusive development and equitable benefits for both host communities and refugees.
The Window for Host Communities and Refugees is a World Bank initiative that provides up to 22 billion dollars in financing for development projects in countries hosting large refugee populations.
In Uganda, the initiative supports several programmes, including the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project.
The project focuses on supporting female entrepreneurs, with about 2,175 women from 84 districts benefiting in sectors such as trade, agriculture, and engineering.
The GROW project targets the transition of women-owned enterprises from micro to small and medium enterprises, with a particular focus on rural areas and refugee-hosting communities.
