Nairobi, 27 March 2015—With the contribution of USD50.93 million from the Government of Japan, UN-Habitat will implement projects in Asia, Arab States and Africa.

The projects set to benefit from the generous contribution are in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and South Sudan. They will touch on many aspects of the beneficiaries’ livelihoods ranging from addressing the urgent needs of the most vulnerable households to the establishment of IDPs prefab shelter sites. Some of those targeted will also benefit from the provision of shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance as well as flood protection, water and sanitation and livelihoods for returnees and IDPs.

On his part, UN-Habitat Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos, hailed the landmark grant saying it came at the most opportune time. “At UN-Habitat we are always seeking development partners to help us execute our mandate.  Japan has been one of strongest development partners to UN-Habitat over years, and I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation towards Japan’s continued contribution.”

The Community-led Urban Infrastructure Programme (CLUIP) in Afghanistan will benefit from a total budget of USD 20 million. This project is informed by the position of the new Unity Government which is that cities are key economic drivers for development and improving living conditions and service delivery to meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.

“UN-Habitat will address the urgent needs of the most vulnerable households such as recently demobilized combatants, IDPs, rural-urban migrants, returnees and low-income urban households, through the establishment of Community Development Councils to upgrade underserviced areas,” the Project Summary states. Some 236,000 people will benefit from this Programme. (Note: This Project is drawn up as a part of "Urban Solidarity Programme".)

The humanitarian support to IDPs in the Republic of Iraq including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq through provision of durable shelter in Baghdad, Dohuk and Kerballa will receive USD 15 million.

“The severe humanitarian crisis encountered in Iraq is characterized with more than 2 million internally displaced people added to the previous post 2006 caseload of IDPs (1.1 million) and the 250,000 Syrian refugees, the situation which exacerbated in 2014 by prevailing violence and ongoing war in 5 governorates against the terrorists group that calls itself Islamic State,” the Project Summary says.

Intense armed encounters in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan, took place over the last decade, with internal displacements and returns occurring in parallel in different agencies of FATA, in the vicinity of the border with Afghanistan.

Towards the end of March 2013, approximately 84,000 people fled from Tirrah Valley, Khyber Agency, due to an escalation in fighting between armed and non-state actors. On 15 June 2014, the Government announced another full-scale military operation, this time in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), which again resulted in the internal displacement of a much larger number of people – close to 1 million were registered.

Displaced households sought refuge in neighboring districts of Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat.  Their living conditions are very challenging especially in terms of access to shelter, WASH, food and health facilities. The USD4.03 million contribution for the project will go towards the provision of shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance for up to 3,846 displaced beneficiary households from North Waziristan Agency and 1,800 households returning to Tirrah Valley, Khyber Agency.

Continuing its’ support for Sri Lanka’s post-conflict reconstruction efforts, the Government of Japan will be providing an additional USD 4.2 million in March 2015 to improve the learning environment in Mannar district. This new project will address the needs of 15 schools, including construction of primary and secondary school buildings, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities for school children and teachers’ quarters. It will benefit over 10,000 returnees including 5,500 school children.

In Myanmar, actions are framed within the overall objective of helping the country’s poor and vulnerable communities affected by conflicts and natural disasters to address the emergency needs to restore their normal life and to sustainably improve quality of life. The project’s specific objective of assisting women and children is to respond to unexpected disaster conditions through all project activities to be implemented, promoting active participation of women, immediate recovery of their economic and social actions and providing safer and healthy environment for children. The project aims to benefit approximately 65,000 people.

In South Sudan, the conflict that began in December 2013 continues to affect the lives of millions of people. It has been marked by brutal violence against civilians and deepening suffering across the country. Insecurity and active hostilities constrain civilians’ freedom of movement.

The Summary reveals that the people in need in the coming year include an anticipated 1.95 million internally displaced people and a projected 293,000 refugees. In addition, around 270,000 more people will likely have sought refuge in neighboring countries by the end of 2015, including those who left in 2014.

The USD 2.4 million will go towards flood protection, water and sanitation and livelihoods for returnees and IDPs.  “With the contribution from the Government of Japan, UN-Habitat supports population of 17,160 internally displaced and returnee families in Katigiri boma, Juba County (Central Equatoria State) and Alel Chok boma, Jur River County (Western Bahr El Ghazal State), the Project Summary states.

  Download the Projects Summary pdf Version here.