Norway is currently supporting the Transitional Solutions Initiative (TSI) in Eastern Sudan. The aim of TSI is to convert displacement and refugee situations into durable and lasting solutions. In the Sudanese context, the aim is trough a partnership with UNHCR and the UNDP to integrate the old case load of Eritrean refugees in their host communities in Eastern Sudan. The World Bank has now also joined the group.
70 000 of these refugees currently reside in 12 refugee camps in Eastern Sudan (Kassala, Gedaref, Gezira and Sennar). These refugees, mostly stemming the lowlands of Eritrea, share linguistic, tribal and religious ties with their host communities. Through development interventions targeting the refugees, their host communities and local authorities, integration of the refugees is planned to take place within 2017.
This work will build on the platform of UNHCR’s multiyear self-reliance project started in 2011. UNDP and the Wold Bank will start their own projects in collaboration with the UNHCR this year. To implement this line of action a joint World Bank, UNHCR and UNDP team recently spent 10 working days together in Sudan.
These organisations are now working together to ensure that as many refugees as possible in Sudan can achieve the goal of living normal lives. Financial support is so far coming from Norway (USD 5 million) and the IKEA Foundation (USD 13 million).
For further information, please follow this link: http://www.unhcr.org/4e27e2f06.html