New Delhi Collaborates with UNDP to Empower Persons with Disabilities in West Africa
New York, April 11 — In a significant step toward inclusive development, India has pledged nearly $1 million to support a key project aimed at promoting economic independence for persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone. The funding will come from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, marking another milestone in India's growing developmental cooperation with African nations.
India will provide $990,000 in response to a request from the Government of Sierra Leone for the project titled ‘Enabling Economic Independence For Specially Abled Persons In Sierra Leone (Persons With Disabilities)’. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is partnering with India to implement the initiative.
According to a press release issued by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, the project is a top developmental priority for the Sierra Leonean government. It is designed to foster sustainable livelihoods for persons with disabilities, particularly in rural communities, through training programs and work cooperatives.
Project Highlights
The initiative aims to:
- Refurbish centres dedicated to persons with disabilities
- Develop vocational training curriculum in priority skill areas
- Integrate technology to enhance mobility and access to social services
- Establish a loan programme to help beneficiaries acquire necessary tools and equipment
The overarching goal is to empower differently abled individuals to attain economic independence without leaving their communities.
Strengthening India-Sierra Leone Relations
India and Sierra Leone share warm and cordial ties, reflected in India's ongoing commitment to the West African nation. The total developmental cooperation, including Lines of Credit and through the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, has reached $250 million, spanning various sectors.
India’s educational and technical initiatives have also played a pivotal role in capacity building in Sierra Leone:
- Over 450 Sierra Leoneans have enrolled in the Pan-African Tele-Education and Tele-Medicine (e-VBAB) initiative, receiving online education from Indian universities.
- The country is a significant recipient of scholarships and training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
India-UN Development Partnership Fund: A Commitment to Global Goals
Established in June 2017, the India-UN Development Partnership Fund supports projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Anchored in the principles of South-South cooperation, the Fund emphasizes:
- National ownership and leadership
- Equality and sustainability
- Local capacity development
- Mutual benefit
To date, $150 million has been committed by India to the Fund, enabling the implementation of 86 projects across 65 countries.
This latest contribution to Sierra Leone reaffirms India’s dedication to inclusive and sustainable development across the Global South.
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