The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has launched UGX 17.1 billion shillings to address the urban Refugee problems in Gulu and Arua cities.
The project dubbed “Financing Durable Solution Initiative for Forcibly Displaced People” will help to provide equitable social services to urban refugees in slums in the two cities.
Speaking during the launch of the project on Monday in Gulu City, Dimitry Pozhidaev, the UNCDF Country Director, says that the project was initiated because the two cities have been facing a number of challenges in providing social services to the refugee because of its proximity to the refugee hosting districts.
According to Pozhidaev, a number of refugees have left the settlement camps and migrated to these cities, putting pressure on the meagre resources these cities have.
Pozhidaev says that to ease the burden, UNCDF has injected 4.8 million dollars (17 billion) to support the displaced persons to change their lives.
According to Pozhidaev, the project is geared towards providing tailored skill training of the refugees in business management and income generating projects.
Denis Odongpiny, the Gulu Resident City Commissioner, thanked the UNCDF for the initiative saying the city is overwhelmed with the high influx of the refugees and the burden of providing social services to them.
