UNHCR and SICCI come together to support Government initiatives promoting self-reliance of Sri Lankan refugees

Chennai, 23 January 2024:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 23 January signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) with The Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) with an aim to address the needs of refugees by fostering collaboration with industries and other stakeholders. The LoU was signed in the presence of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, and the ceremony included Ms. Areti Sianni, Chief of Mission, UNHCR India, and Mr. V. N. Shiva Shankar, Senior Vice President of SICCI, in Chennai, India. The primary focus of the LoU is the inclusion and self-reliance of refugees, guided by the initiative, encompassing needs assessment, awareness raising, promotion of employment opportunities, mentoring, capacity building, and support for business development, all aimed at providing learning opportunities and enhancing the skills of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.

Ms. Areti Sianni, Chief of Mission, UNHCR India, highlighted India's longstanding tradition of welcoming refugees and said, “We hope that the collaboration between UNHCR and SICCI would play a crucial role in long-term solutions and the inclusion of refugees in the job market in line with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on solutions for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees”.

Mr. V. N. Shiva Shankar, Senior Vice President of SICCI, said, “SICCI's partnership with UNHCR would explore all possibilities for the betterment of refugee participation and improvement in their self-reliance initiatives. He emphasized that the ambition of this partnership is both challenging and impactful, representing a significant commitment for SICCI.”

Mr. B. Krishnamoorthy, IOFS, Commissioner of Rehabilitation & Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, expressed his support for mapping refugee talents for apprenticeship and other opportunities that could be an outcome of this LoU. He also pointed out how this collaborative effort between UNHCR and SICCI can be an extension of various successful government welfare measures aimed at the inclusion of Sri Lankan Tamils in the industry.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has extended its efforts to bolster the self-reliance of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in camps by promoting entrepreneurial activities and facilitating access to technical and financial resources. Notably, the government has established 667 self-help groups for women living in various Rehabilitation camps to encourage their participation in the women-led workforce and support their integration within the local community. This initiative aligns with the promotion of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically focusing on Leaving No One Behind (LNOB), encompassing the promotion of the inclusion of refugees in national and local development programs of the government, private sectors, and other entities.

For further details contact: 

• Rama Dwivedi, Assistant External Relations Officer, UNHCR India ([email protected])