ILO promotes labour intensive methods to improve livelihoods of host and refugee communities in Ethiopia:Through an intensive training, the ILO has strengthened the capacity of road construction engineers from Ethiopia’s refugee-hosting districts to apply labour intensive methods to boost socio-economic development through infrastructural development and job creation. Read more here: https://bit.ly/412VGmx

SOMALIA – Highly Indebted Poor Countries Completion Point: On 30/03, the WB Country team in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance of the Federal Government of Somalia hosted the Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) to assess challenges to project implementation and to find ways to accelerate delivery of critical services to the Somali people. The country is moving towards the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Completion Point. Over the next few months, the WB will be working with the government and the IMF to support the country to reach HIPC completion point which once achieved, will be a milestone for Somalia that will help open up new financing opportunities for the country.

A total of 441 individuals comprising 114 families were assisted to voluntarily repatriate to the DRC in January. This brings the total number of refugees repatriated to 10,553 individuals in 2,836 families since the second phase of the voluntary repatriation programme started on 18 July 2022. 157 individuals departed under resettlement during the month of January USA: (35) and Finland (122). Eight cases comprising 26 individuals were submitted for resettlement consideration to the USA (19), Finland (7). A total of 513 people we serve (PWS) accessed Covid-19 testing services in the three refugee settlements, bringing the cumulative figure to 13,552. The number of positive cases recorded during the reporting month was 10 people we serve (PWS).

The Economic Empowerment working group TORs and Sector strategy were discussed and reviewed in the meeting. (March 2023)

MOPIC will prioritize meeting basic needs and implementing impactful interventions for Syrian refugees and host communities based on national priorities, UNHCR's vulnerability assessment, and a census conducted with the Department of Statistics. ( March 2023)

The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation confirmed that the Jordanian response plan for the Syrian crisis will be extended for the year 2023. (March 2023)

The government decision to extend Syrian exemptions from WP payments until 31/12/2023 is out, this includes payments for previous years, payments related to work permits, the health test, and penalties for not renewing work permits on time. (Jan 2023)

Following recommendations from the Jordan Strategic Humanitarian Committee JoSH meeting dated November 15, where the reform process of the Inter-Sector Working Group has been endorsed; the Inter-Sector Working Group (ISWG) was tasked to come up with final renewed architecture and recommendations to be revised and endorsed by JoSH. (Dec 2022)

Link to DEWATS systems under BMGF funds https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W2T4No8rF3ayezh3fH4NLh0afplHHtSJ?usp=sharing

ILO launches the official website for the ILO’s Global Centre on Digital Wages for Decent Work! The Global Centre is a one-stop shop for everything related to responsible digital wage payments, including the latest news, events and publications. Read more here: https://www.digitalwages.org/