Niger: World Bank approves $80 million to support refugees and host communities

The World Bank approved the $80 million Niger Refugees and Host Communities Support Project (PARCA), which will improve access to basic services and economic opportunities for refugees and host communities in 15 communes in the Diffa, Tahoua and Tillabéri regions, and provide institutional support to local, regional and central government entities in those 3 regions, as well as the Agadez region.

“As several crises unfold in the Sahel region, Niger has been a safe haven for a significant influx of refugees. This is putting significant pressure on local communities and authorities who have hosted refugees, internally displaced and returnees. The newly available IDA resources are critical to provide essential services and economic opportunities to forcibly displaced populations and their host communities in these already poor areas of the country,” said Soukeyna Kane, World Bank Country Director for Niger.

Niger is currently hosting over 280,000 people displaced by conflict representing approximately 158,000 refugees, 109,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and 16,000 Nigerien nationals who returned from Nigeria because of Boko Haram. PARCA will provide income support for select households and communities affected by the crisis and benefit refugees, IDPs and host communities, with a total population of over 500,000.

“UNHCR welcomes this crucial new support to move towards a socioeconomic approach of inclusion of forcibly displaced through projects jointly developed by UNHCR, the World Bank and local authorities. This new approach shows how the presence of refugees can bring development opportunities to hosting areas,” said Alessandra Morelli, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Representative in Niger.

“The Project is key for the Government’s forced displacement agenda as it will provide support to all population groups residing in the Project sites irrespective of their status and focuses on enhancing people’s skills for current and future opportunities, regardless of their eventual settlement,” said Meskerem Brhane, World Bank, Practice Manager.

Original source: World Bank
Published on 12 September 2018