On November 18th 2021, UNDP Suriname, completed the official handover of sewing machines, threads, textiles and other equipment to support Indigenous and Tribal People (ITP's) in sewing masks for use in their villages as a key COVID-19 preventive measure, and to support income generating opportunities for ITP women.

The handover included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development and Sport and representatives of the ITPs.

This activity contributes to Output 3- Income generating opportunities for ITP women to promote economic recovery. The support includes the provision of materials (multi-color cotton fabric, scissors, threads, measuring tapes sewing machines. Manual sewing machines have been procured for villages in the south that have no electricity. These will be used for training of women at the Indigenous and Maroon villages in making face masks starting at Atjoni for the Maroon villages and in Marowijne and Albina for the Indigenous villages. Training begins today in Marowijne.

During the virtual ceremony, Dr. Jones Williams, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP noted the importance of this initiative for the ITP's and stated that "This initiative is an important aspect of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the important work that needs to be done to ensure that we Leave No One Behind”.