The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) has handed over quick impact facilities to six refugee host communities.

The construction of three borehole water systems with solar panels and three hand pump wells in six host communities in the Southern and Eastern Regions are part of the Tenki Salone Project (TSP).

The Tenki Salone Project is an agreement between NaCSA & UNHCR Multi Country Office (MCO) to develop road map within established structures, systems, processes and procedures for a successor project “Tenki Salone” to compensate host communities with socio-economic infrastructures to provide concrete solutions and opportunities for the remaining caseload of refugees in their respective host communities.

A team from UNHCR Multi Country Office has been part of the handing over ceremony following a detail policy and program engagement with NaCSA’s Commissioner and senior management.

During the courtesy call, the Commissioner of NaCSA; Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Max-Kyne (PhD) reiterated government commitment to the welfare of persons of concern. She stated that although the refugee program has closed down, Government will not abandon those who have opted for local integration. ‘’Some of them, especially those in the Western Area have already started benefiting from some of our programs notably the SLCDD Micro Enterprise livelihood scheme and cash transfer program – SSN. We will continue to; target vulnerable locally integrated refugees for enrollment into the Productive Social Safety-Net and Youth Employment Projects (PSNYE), advocate for the full-scale implementation of “Tenki Salone” with identified prioritized community needs in the respective host communities, strengthen the refugee and asylum seekers infrastructure in the country and ensure commitment on government’s political will on UN policies.’’ She noted.

The Government of Sierra Leone through NaCSA has over the years provided support to refugee and asylum seekers as well as addressing humanitarian needs and civil protection in the country. The Commission’s Relief and Resettlement Unit has been leading the implementation of refugee related programs with support from UNHCR. Having hosted more than 60,000 Liberian refugees, the government and UNHCR have closed all refugee related programs in the country.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony, the UNHCR MCO Representative, Monigue Ekoko extended a special thanks and appreciation to the government and people of Sierra Leone for hosting refugees. ‘’we want to thank the government and people of Sierra Leone for the number of years the country has hosted refugees. There have been instances where we have more than 60,000 refugees and Sierra Leoneans were willing to host them. We must be thankful and as we complete the pilot phase of the ‘tenki Salone’ project, we will relentlessly make effort for its continuity.’’ She ended while addressing local authorities and other persons including liaison officers and beneficiaries.

Regina Sia Saffa, NaCSA’s Director of Programs was optimistic about the continuation of the tenki Salone project. She called community authorities and people to make the best use of the facilities and ensure regular maintenance. She re-emphasized that the essence of the visit is not only to handover quick impact projects as prioritized pilot socio-economic, but to Symbolically provide legal documents to outstanding locally integrated refugees and create an awareness on the current status of the refugee program and UNHCR operations in Sierra Leone.

On behalf of NaCSA and the host communities, the R and R Program Manager; Joseph Farama Bangura and Paramount Chief of Tinkoko Chiefdom; Prof. Joe Kangbai Macavoray extended a special thanks to UNHCR for their unrivaled supports to refugees and to people of Sierra Leone.