VIJIMAMBO: UN BRIEFS KIGOMA REGIONAL AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE KIGOMA JOINT PROGRAM

The Kigoma Joint Programme is an area-based UN joint programme that puts together the efforts of 16 different UN agencies in Tanzania to improve development and human security in Kigoma. Today, the United Nations met with Kigoma’s Regional Commissioner, members of the Development Partners Group, Civil Society Organizations and the media in Kigoma in order to brief them on the joint programme ensuring that the UN is set to effectively work with the government in implementing the issues that the joint programme aims to address.

The Kigoma Joint Programme focuses on both the host population and refugees and migrants. Itlinks the UN’s current response to refugees and migrants with an increased focus on developing the host communities the UN will strengthenthe link between humanitarian and development initiatives in the region. The 16 UN agencies will work together across six themes which are sustainable energy and environment, youth and women’s economic empowerment, violence against women and children, education, agriculture and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene).

UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez, makes his opening remarks at the Soft Launch of the Kigoma Joint Programme highlighting the programme's focus on host communities in Kigoma.

Tanzania currently hosts over 300,000 refugees who reside in three camps in the districts of Kasulu, Kakonko, Kibondo which is why these are the three districts where the programme will operate. The programme aims to expand and increase support to host communities in these districts and the UN believes that partnering with the local government authorities is key to achieving this. “In order to have a sustainable and constructive dialogue between host communities and the refugees and migrants in the region we need to work together. The UN is here to support the government to ensure that humanitarian interventions do not prevent development,” said Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez, the UN Resident Coordinator during the press conference held immediately after the presentation of the joint program to the media.

The UN Joint Program for Kigoma will be implemented for four years between 2017 and 2021.

Ambassador of Belgium, H.E. Paul Carter, pointing out that development partners can complement the effort of the Kigoma Joint Programme

Commenting on the Program, Kigoma’s Regional Commissioner, Brig Gen Emmanuel Maganga said "Inception of this program has been at the right time because it is focusing at addressing the critical challenges that are facing community of Kigoma. The 6 areas of intervention that the program is focusing especially Sustainable Energy and Environment, Youth and Women Economic empowerment, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Agriculture, addressing violence against women and children and education on girls and adolescent girls are the important economic aspect requiring special consideration for sustainable socio-economic growth of our people.

Execution of UN Joint Program for Kigoma will accelerate the Regional Initiative towards poverty reduction. This program will significantly contribute in the attainment of the National Development Goals as stipulated in the Development vision 2025, The Second five years Development Plan as well as Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Kigoma Regional Comissioner Brigadier General Emmanuel Maganga highlights the government's support to the Kigoma Joint Programme. #KJP

In order to ensure sustainability of the UN Joint Program for Kigoma the Region will ensure that all Themes addressed under the program are mainstreamed in the Region and District Plans

Finally, he conveyed his sincere gratitude to the Royal Government of Norway, The Government of South Korea through KICA, for financial support as well as the UN Agencies for realizing the importance of needs and coming up with this Joint program. He further emphasized that the Region will provide maximum cooperation for the entire period of the program implementation."

Commenting on the Program, The Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy, Trygve Bendiksby, stated that “the Government of Norway is financing this program through supporting the UN delivering as one, because it is important to support the people of Kigoma and the refugees”

UNICEF Representative Ms. Maniza Zaman introduces herself at the launch of the Kigoma Joint Programme. UNICEF is the lead for theme 5 of the #KJP: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)