UNHCR and Silatech sign cooperation agreement to support livelihood programmes for refugees

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Silatech signed today a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting UNHCR’s protection and assistance activities for refugees and displaced persons globally.

The agreement was signed at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva in a ceremony attended by Kelly T. Clements, Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, and Ms. Sabah Ismail Al Haidoos, Chief Executive Officer of Silatech.

Spanning a period of five years, the agreement formalizes a commitment by Silatech to support UNHCR’s programmes in the area of livelihoods and economic empowerment with a minimum annual contribution of USD 5 million.

 “UNHCR welcomes this commitment by Silatech, whose support of UNHCR programmes is extremely valuable,” said Kelly T. Clements. “With the number of forcibly displaced persons increasing at an unprecedented level, we count on support from our partners more than ever. We look forward to building on this collaboration with Silatech in addressing global humanitarian and displacement challenges”, she added.

Ms. Sabah Al Haidoos, noted that: “Collaborating with UNHCR will allow us to further invest in programs tailored to connect refugees with employment and livelihood opportunities and empower them in their host communities.” She added: “Silatech believes that achieving peace and stability starts from combating poverty, unemployment, extremism, and marginalization of young men and women and is committed to enable them to work and achieve their aspirations and potential.”

For more information, please contact:

• Amina Zoubairi, Public Information Officer, Email: [email protected]
• Ayat El Dewary, Senior External Relations Officer, Email: [email protected]

About UNHCR:

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We deliver life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.

About Silatech:

Silatech is an international social development nonprofit non-government organization, that works on connecting youth wherever they are to jobs, and enable resources for them to establish and sustain successful enterprises. Since its establishment in 2008, Silatech has secured one million jobs for youth through working in coordination with governments and international organizations and in cooperation with its regional and local partners to design and implement programs that uproot disadvantaged and marginalized youth out of poverty and chronic unemployment, thus empowering them to contribute to the socioeconomic development of their countries.