Denmark supports refugee empowerment through generous 1.9 million dollar contribution

The Government of Denmark’s USD 1.9 million donation assists the Islamic Republic of Iran in meeting the livelihood needs of more than 950,000 Afghan refugees currently residing in Iran.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Iran, Mr. Sivanka Dhanapala, said “This recent timely contribution by Denmark supports UNHCR in implementing livelihood interventions that aim at enhancing the self-reliance and socioeconomic wellbeing of refugees as well as facilitating durable solutions within the framework of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees. Empowered refugees will then be able to earn a living while in the host country. They will be equipped with the ability of contributing to the rebuilding of their homeland once conditions are conducive for return”.

UNHCR in joint collaboration with its main governmental counterpart – the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (BAFIA) – and in partnership with various Governmental and non-governmental organizations, implements diverse livelihood interventions for refugees in Iran. The Danish contribution will also contribute to this field of UNHCR’s work and enhance the self-reliance of Afghan refugees through a variety of activities such as:

• Provision of market-driven vocational training on more than 40 occupations such as welding, plumbing and tailoring;
• Provision of entrepreneurship/business training and the establishment of small home-based enterprises for previously trained vulnerable refugee women;
• Provision of equipment for income-generating activities;
• Community-based natural resources management in settlements enhancing access to sustainable livelihoods; and
• Capacity-building programs familiarizing refugees on sustainable use and rehabilitation of natural resources to build the skills necessary for a sustainable reintegration upon return to Afghanistan.

H.E Danny Annan, the Ambassador of Denmark to the Islamic Republic of Iran said in this regard, “ Denmark keeps a regional perspective on the Afghan refugee crisis. The Danish budget for support during 2013-17 to the return and reintegration of Afghan refugees and for affected host communities in Afghanistan and surrounding countries is estimated to total more than USD 62.5 million (425 million DKK). This illustrates the importance we place on helping to secure access to protection and durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons  as close to their home as possible.

Iran’s support and generosity as host country for close to a million Afghan refugees is greatly appreciated by the international community. In addition UNHCR-Iran’s focus on livelihood activities is of critical importance. Education and vocational training create good opportunities for the Afghans to contribute more both within the Iranian community, as well as inside Afghanistan after repatriation.”

For further information, please contact:

• Farha Bhoyroo, [email protected], +98 912 132 7183
• Paniz Zamanian, [email protected], +98 21 8934 9114