Garissa Governor Korane enters Ksh.500M with EU for refugee communities

The European Union (EU) has made an initial pledge of Ksh.566 million (€5 million) towards the Garissa Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (GISEDP), a project meant to enhance livelihood opportunities for the refugees and host-communities in Garissa County.

According to the EU Ambassador to Kenya, the fund will be utilised in enhancing and creating technical vocational training opportunities for 1200 youth in Garissa County.

“The money will also be used in establishing one-stop shops that would offer consultancies and trainings for micro SMEs,” said EU Ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue.

Speaking during a consultative meeting on the GISEDP development plan in Nairobi, Garissa Governor Ali Korane said the project would transform the lives of refugees and host communities in the county.

“As a county that has borne the brunt of hosting refugees for about 3 decades, GISEDP marks the beginning of a paradigm shift in which the socio-economic needs of both refugee and host communities will be addressed through concerted efforts and collaborative partnerships,” said Governor Korane.

The development plan is backed also backed by the national government, development partners and foreign missions including EU, USA and UN agencies.

“GISEDP which is a culmination of a series of informal and formal discussions we had with the national government and development partners is structured within 8 thematic components that are aligned to our CIDP II and is premised on the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework that Kenya is a signatory of,” added Korane.

The development plan will focus on reducing legal, regulatory and administrative obstacles to business development and refugee economic inclusion, as well as enhancing sustainable management of environment and natural resources to boost agriculture.

It will also focus on creation of sustainable energy solutions and strengthening management and administration in the health sector.

The project will also expected to strengthen provision of water and sanitation as well as improvement of roads and infrastructure in the county.

The meeting was attended by UNHCR Kenya Representative Ms. Fathiya Abdalla, US Ambassador Kyle McCarter, EU Ambassador Simon Mordue, Resident Cordinator, United Nations in Kenya Siddharth Chatterjee, Mandera Governor Ali Roba, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Bare Duale, MPs Mohamed Dahiye (Dadaab), Abdikarim Osman (Fafi), Abdi Omar Shurie (Balambala),  and Mohamed Hire (Lagdera).

Other leaders present included Chief of Staff Presidency Nzioka Waita, Director, Strategic Initiatives and Community Resilience, Office of the President Muktar Abdi Ogle, Outgoing Secretary General Kenya Red Cross Abass Gullet and incoming SG Dr. Aisha Mohammed, County Assembly Majority Leader Mohamed Gabow Kharbat, MCAs, CECMs, representatives from World Bank, Norwegian Refugee Council, Danish Refugee Council, Save The Children, Lutheran Foundation, Terres de Hommes, International Rescue Commission, Finn Aid among others.