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UNHCR develops livelihood strategic plan for Malawi

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has developed a comprehensive livelihoods strategic plan for Malawi. 

UNHCR resident representative Monique Ekoko said this in Lilongwe on Thursday during presentation of the Household Socio-Economic and Livelihoods Assessment (HSELA) and related reports for the 2017 programming.

She said the key priority area in the plan is the protection of refugees, asylum seekers and host communities.

Mozambican refugees at a camp in Mwanza last year: UNHCR has been supportive in such activities

Said Ekoko: “In order to have a robust and responsive livelihoods plan, UNHCR and the Government of Malawi, together with our colleagues in the Regional for Southern Africa [Rosa] and headquarters in Geneva agreed to a HSELA in 2016.”

She pointed out that the gathering was aimed at sharing the results from the survey with reference to the Standard Expanded Nutrition Survey (Sens) 2017 and the Joint Assessment Mission 2017.

Ekoko said the Malawi operation is responsible for over 27 400 refugees and asylum seekers in Dzaleka camp in Dowa, comprising over 10 775 households.

She said UNCHR in partnership with the Government of Malawi, through a multi-year strategy, aims to invest in the livelihoods and protection of refugees, asylum seekers and host communities for the first time since 1994.

Senior administrative officer in the office of the Commissioner for Refugees in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Samuel Malowa, said it was gratifying to note that host communities are benefiting from the resources provided by UNHCR and partners in the districts of operation.

He said the resources range from health facilities, education infrastructure and services. n

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