EU to allocate €1.6 million to support Afghan migrants in Surkhandarya

The EU contribution to the program is €1.6 million (about 17 billion soums). UNICEF, in cooperation with ministries and regional authorities, plans to reach about 35,000 people.

The focus of the program will be on children, youth and families who find themselves in a difficult life situation due to a number of reasons including violence, migration, forced migration from Afghanistan and other most vulnerable groups.

“This is a landmark event with a multi-layered strategy to enhance social cohesion and well-being of the local community, including the Afghan people, by creating common spaces for interaction, integration and solidarity. In this way, the European Union expresses its support for Uzbekistan and its efforts to create a strong and sustainable society, as well as for Afghans in need of help,” Charlotte Adrian, the EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, said. 

Within the framework of the grant, special attention will be paid to strengthening the capacity of social service workers who directly play a role in promoting social justice.

The program also includes components of inclusive multilingual preschool and school education, specialized legal aid services and a skills development program for a target group of youth.

“When all residents in local communities, especially the most vulnerable, have equal access to social and legal assistance services, communities become more cohesive, stable and prosperous. It is important to note that having access to quality basic services guaranteed by the state, mahallas become less vulnerable and more resilient to external shocks,” Munir Mammadzade, head of the UNICEF Country Office in Uzbekistan, said.