Amman- Near East Foundation (NEF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration in developing programming opportunities and new funding mechanisms to support forcibly displaced people and host communities, particularly in countries affected by the Syria Crisis.

The agreement between NEF and UNDP aims to identify areas of joint programming to promote income generation, self-reliance, livelihoods, and social protection for forcibly displaced people and host communities and mobilize funding through outcomes-based and alternative funding approaches.

Thirteen years into the Syria crisis, protracted displacement remains significant against a worsening socio-economic context and emerging crises in the region. As evidenced in the 3RP Regional Strategic Overview for 2024, needs have never been higher among refugees and host communities as the region grapples with growing poverty, high unemployment, widespread forced displacement, and new crises.

"Creative funding is crucial for tackling evolving financial challenges and crises in the Arab region and globally. Our partnership with NEF marks a significant step toward improving the lives of forcibly displaced people and their host communities," said Abdallah Al Dardari, Regional Director, Regional Bureau for Arab States, UNDP.

“The MoU with UNDP marks an important step in promoting innovative and sustainable responses to protracted crises, including through the crowding-in of private sector and non-traditional actors. NEF has pioneered sustainable responses to displacement for over a century and is delighted to further develop its partnership with UNDP” said John Ashby, President, NEF.
 
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
UNDP: Fatma Yassin | Communications Advisor, a.i. | Regional Bureau for Arab
States| fatma.yassin@undp.org
NEF: Amy Kruse | Director of Communications | Near East Foundation | akruse@neareast.org