New Horizons August 2018 | Page 21

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality’s urban infrastructure and public services made more secure with vehicles’ support

Besides the solid waste management and consultancy supports, the project helped strengthening the capacities of metropolitan municipality of Gaziantep to respond to the increase in demand for public services. Since the population increase in Gaziantep has put an extreme strain on existing facilities, making providing public services by the provincial administrations an important challenge to respond. Therefore, within the scope of the project, 9 vehicles were delivered to Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality that hosts over 390,000 Syrians which is 19,46 % of the city’s population.

The vehicles delivery ceremony was held in Gaziantep, with the participation of Mrs Mayor, Fatma Şahin, Mr. Sadrettin Karahocagil, GAP RDA President, Mr. Akio Miyajima, Ambassador of Japan and Mrs Irena Vojáčková-Sollorano, UN Resident Representative.

At the ceremony, Mrs Irena Vojáčková-Sollorano, UN Resident Representative said “As the Syrian population increased, the needs of both Syrian and host communities call for longer term, durable solutions. With our supports, the city and its people are now feeling more secure. We joined our forces with our partners and donors for leaving no one behind”

A new joint project will foster business development

In the region of provinces most affected by the influx of Syrians, further projects will continue to be funded to strengthening the livelihood opportunities, municipal infrastructures and social cohesion for and among Syrians and host communities. UNDP, FAO and UNHCR will work in close coordination to deliver effective and sustainable results in the new initiatives to build upon the achievement of the efforts so far. FAO will also support the BELTUR Facility and economic and social empowerment of women with the new project through vocational trainings.

As a part of the joint project, funded by the Government of Japan, UNDP will be working to foster enterprise development and inclusive business initiatives and developing institutional capacities of the Syrian and local enterprises in the region. Şanlıurfa Technopark will be in specific focus on delivery strategy, practical business models and facilitation of submission of new business initiatives and start-ups.

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