TRAINING UNDER ACCESS-UNHCR Livelihood Initiative for Refugees

UNHCR assists refugees and asylum-seekers from Afghanistan, Myanmar and Somalia in addition to smaller percentages of people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, Iran and other countries. In Delhi there are currently more than 10,000 refugees in the working age group (18-55). The highest concentrations of refugees are in Vikas Puri, Bhogal, Okhla, Wazirabad and Khajurikhas.

The Government of India (GOI) adopts a generous approach towards refugees and asylum-seekers and respects the principle of non-refoulement. In addition, India has ratified majority of the international human rights instruments and thus displays a liberal and tolerant attitude towards refugees and asylum seekers. Refugees and asylum-seekers in India are registered and receive documentation from UNHCR. However, with this legal documentation refugees have difficulties in obtaining work permits and opening bank accounts. Moreover, coming from varied social, educational and financial backgrounds, the refugees differ in their livelihood needs as well.

ACCESS has been a partner of UNHCR, the UN Agency for refugees, since 2015 to implement the ‘Refugee self-reliance and livelihoods’ project in Delhi. The objective of the livelihood and self-reliance project is to reduce poverty of the refugees residing in Delhi by providing skill and vocational training, business development and employability services, thereby strengthening their livelihoods. ACCESS, as a Livelihoods organization, facilitates linkages with training institutes, placements agencies and enterprise facilitators to deliver its interventions for refugees in the working age group, that reside in Delhi and NCR.

Anant has partnered with ACCESS as a training partner to impart Life Skills training through three training centers in Delhi.