On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a new agreement to strengthen social cohesion in Cameroon’s Far-North. The initiative aims to restore livelihoods and strengthen resilience in Kolofata, Mayo Sava Division, one of the areas most affected by insecurity and displacement in the Lake Chad Region.

The agreement, about USD 600,000,  was signed by Ms. Aissata De, UNDP Deputy Regional Director for Africa, and Dr. Hana Omar, Director of Partnerships and International Relations at KSrelief, during the high-level event ‘The Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus: Milestones in Strengthening Multilateral Partnerships for Sustainable Impact and the SDGs,’ held at the United Nations Headquarters.

“This partnership builds on UNDP’s longstanding stabilization efforts in the Lake Chad Basin as well as KSrelief’s global humanitarian leadership. Together, while creating lasting impact in Kolofata, we aim to deliver an integrated, community-driven model that can be scaled across fragile and conflict-affected contexts,” said Dr. Hana Omar, Director of Partnerships and International Relations, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).

The initiative will directly benefit 350 people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, youth, and women, while indirectly supporting more than 2000 vulnerable people in the community. It will provide vocational and entrepreneurial training, startup kits, and renewable energy skills development. By equipping youth and women with market-relevant skills and tools, it seeks to boost employability, promote entrepreneurship, and foster community resilience.

“Today’s agreement for this initiative is a testament to the power of partnership in advancing the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. Together with KSrelief, we are creating real opportunities for youth and women in Cameroon’s Far-North Region to build livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and contribute to peace and stability. This is how we translate global commitments into local impact, leaving no one behind,” stated Ms. Aissata De, Deputy Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa.

The initiative will also contribute to global and national priorities by addressing urgent livelihood needs, supporting peacebuilding, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 4 (Quality Education), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

This partnership marks a significant step toward inclusive recovery and peacebuilding in Cameroon’s Far-North, with potential for replication in other fragile contexts.

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About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations agency fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org/ http://www.undp.org/africa or follow @UNDP and @UNDPAfrica on social media.

About KSrelief: 

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), established under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, represents Saudi Arabia's commitment to global humanitarian efforts. Inaugurated in May 2015, KSrelief has provided impartial humanitarian aid and relief to over 100 countries in cooperation with local, regional, and international organizations. 

For further information and media inquiries please contact:

UNDP

In New York: Praise Nutakor, Partnerships and Communications Specialist, UNDP Africa, New York: praise.nutakor@undp.org

In Cameroon: Lawrence Neba, Communications Analyst, UNDP Cameroon, lawrence.neba@undp.org

KSrelief

ICMC@KSrelief.org