UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has entered into a partnership with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Grundfos Foundation, committing a substantial $9 million to enhance healthcare, water, and sanitation for displaced individuals and local communities in Turkana County, Kenya.
The collaboration, announced ahead of the upcoming Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in Geneva from December 13-15, 2023, aims to bolster private sector support for refugees and foster sustainable solutions. The initiative focuses on transitioning health systems in Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei settlement towards integration with Kenya’s national health framework. Emphasizing inclusivity and sustainability, the collaboration seeks to improve refugees’ access to essential health services and clean water, promoting self-reliance and societal integration.
Through a coordinated effort involving UNHCR, the Government of Kenya, and generous contributions from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Grundfos Foundation, the goal is to empower refugees and local communities with inclusive and sustainable healthcare and water services. The emphasis is on cultivating long-term impact and enduring solutions in these critical sectors.
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, expressed, “This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to creating lasting systemic changes in healthcare. Together, we aspire to ensure equitable and sustainable access to quality health and water services for refugees and host communities.”
Kim Nøhr Skibsted, Executive Director of the Grundfos Foundation, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the pivotal role of clean water and sanitation in societal well-being and expressing pride in contributing to transformative solutions alongside UNHCR and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
This investment, spanning until the end of 2025, aims to nurture a more proficient health workforce capable of handling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions. The initiative includes fortifying healthcare facilities by integrating NCD clinics into existing primary health setups, ensuring sustained access to clean water and sanitation services. The ultimate goal is to elevate the quality of health services integrated into Kenya’s national health system, fostering better health outcomes for refugees and their host communities.
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, Kelly T. Clements, stressed the imperative of private sector engagement in addressing the needs of displaced populations and their hosts. “Looking ahead to the Global Refugee Forum that kicks off on December 13, this is exactly the kind of collaboration with partners that is required. It will give refugees, generously hosted by Kenya for many years, new opportunities and foster a sense of hope and belonging,” she added.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation and Grundfos Foundation have pledged $7 million and $2 million, respectively, underscoring their commitment to the cause. This collaboration is part of the Inclusive Refugee Response Partnership, an alliance between the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foundations, and the Lego Foundation. This coalition pioneers a program in Kenya aligned with the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan, contributing to the region’s health, water, and education sectors. As part of this initiative, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends support to UNHCR’s health and education programs in Turkana, emphasizing the collaborative spirit to catalyze meaningful change in the lives of displaced populations.
