The SICCI–UNHCR Partnership Forum is planning to launch its pilot projects for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees by September this year. In its first Governing Council meeting held last week, the forum discussed steps on advancing self-reliance for the Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees. The Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched SICCI–UNHCR Partnership Forum in April this year.
The meeting arims to foster sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic inclusion for refugees residing in rehabilitation camps and host communities across the State, an official release said. The SICCI–UNHCR Partnership Forum brings the private sector, development partners, and government stakeholders to promote refugee self-reliance, local integration, and community-focused development.
“To ensure focused and effective implementation, the Forum will operate through five thematic committees focused on self-reliance and livelihood, skill development and mentorship, digital technology, health and well-being, and environmental sustainability,” it said. Each committee would design, coordinate, and monitor initiatives within its focus area, enabling deeper engagement, targeted resource mobilisation, and measurable impact.
