EU, UN Launch €2.7M Resilience Project for Displaced People in Northern Ghana
The European Union (EU), UNICEF, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have launched a €2.7 million humanitarian initiative—UNITE Project—to support forcibly displaced individuals and host communities in Northern Ghana. The effort, funded under a larger €12 million regional strategy, aims to enhance resilience, improve access to basic services, and foster social cohesion across affected communities.
Focus Areas
Operating in Tarikom (Upper East Region) and Zini (Upper West Region), the two-year project will address key community development challenges:
- Housing and electricity
- Access to education and legal identity
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
- Health and nutrition services
- Child protection and social unity
- Integration into national databases and socio-economic systems
More than 17,000 asylum seekers currently reside in Ghana’s northern border regions due to ongoing instability in the Gulf of Guinea.
Collaborative & Inclusive
UNITE is led by UNICEF Ghana and UNHCR, with strong cooperation from national agencies including:
- Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
- Ghana Health Service
- Ghana Education Service
- National Identification Authority
- Local district assemblies
Ambassador Irchad Razaaly (EU to Ghana):
“This initiative strengthens social cohesion, enhances public service access, and supports long-term development. The UNITE project is a commitment to shared prosperity and peace.”
Osama Makkawi Khoghali (UNICEF):
“We are restoring dignity and creating opportunities—especially for children—to thrive in safe, inclusive environments.”
Needa Jehu-Mazou (UNHCR Ghana):
“Displaced individuals must not only survive, but flourish. Our goal is sustainable solutions built on ‘harmonious living together.’”
Regional Impact
UNITE is not limited to Ghana. It also runs in Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, forming part of the EU INTPA (International Partnerships) strategy. The overall program combines €10 million from the EU and €2 million from four UN agencies: UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, and IOM.
Why It Matters
- This initiative responds directly to humanitarian pressures in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions.
- It supports Ghana’s national development agenda while offering hope and practical support to displaced families.
- By improving infrastructure and identity access, it paves the way for inclusive long-term development.
💬 “We’re building more than just shelters—we’re building communities.”
