UNDP, KOICA sink Shs 33 billion in refugee improvement project
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea international Cooperation Agency (KOICA), have signed $9 million (Shs 33 billion) deal to improve the well being of refugees and host communities in Acholi and West Nile sub region.
Through UNDPs gender transformation programming, women’s economic empowerment and prevention of gender based violence (GBV) will also emphasized.
The project will implement schemes for emergency employment , vocational training , value chain development and structured community mobilization and messaging to address the root cause of gender inequality and GBV.
The main objectives of the Uganda host and refugee community empowerment project (2019-2022) is to improve the economic empowerment of women and youth in refuge –hosting communities in Acholi and West Nile sub region s with focus on Adjumani, Lamwo and Moyo districts.
The acting UNDP resident representative Almaz Gebru and KOICA's country director Jun Young Suk signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of their respective bodies.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gebru thanked KOICA for the partnership and commitment to improving the well being of refugees and to the empowerment of women.
"While migrants leave behind their jobs and economic activities, they come along with various skills," Gebru said.
The successful implementation of this project will therefore not only help to rebuild the lives of refugees but also support the host communities in infrastructure and other resources.
Jun Young Suk said the project is in line with the national and global refugees and host communities strategic plan and framework.
KOICA expects the project to unlock the economic capacities of women in refuges and host communities through livelihood opportunities and building capacity of relevant stakeholders in gender transformative programming.
KOICA shall contribute $ 7million while UNDP is co-funding with $ 2million for the project.
