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The Government of India, in a bid to promote sustainable livelihoods for specially abled individuals, has announced a financial supports of $990,000 towards the project “Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons in Sierra Leone”.
The initiative, requested by the Government of Sierra Leone, was reportedly implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to a press release from the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, the project is considered a crucial national development priority for Sierra Leone, focusing on providing training and establishing work cooperatives in rural areas, thereby enabling persons with disabilities to achieve economic independence while remaining close to their homes.
It was confirmed that the project will involve several key components, including, refurbishing dedicated centres for persons with disabilities, eveloping a training curriculum focused on priority skill areas, adopting technology to enhance mobility and access to social services, and establishing a loan programme to assist individuals in purchasing necessary tools.
The press release noted the warm and cordial relationship between India and Sierra Leone, mentioning that Indian developmental cooperation with the country, through Lines of Credit and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank for Investment and Development, totals $250 million and encompasses various sectors.
It was further confirmed that over 450 nationals from Sierra Leone have participated in the Pan-African Tele-Education and Tele-Medicine initiative (e-VBAB), accessing online education through Indian universities. Reportedly, Sierra Leone has also benefited significantly from the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships across various programmes in India.
The India-UN Development Partnership Fund, launched by the Government of India in June 2017, has committed a total of $150 million to support projects in developing countries aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Fund emphasized principles of South-South cooperation, prioritizing objectives such as national ownership, sustainability, and local capacity development.
To date, according to reports, 86 projects in 65 countries have been supported under that Fund, highlighting India’s commitment to fostering development and mutual benefit through international collaboration.
