UNHCR to help promote refugees’ handicrafts in Balochistan

LoU signed with local hotel to establish gallery

QUETTA:

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and Serena Hotel Quetta signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) to promote the crafts of Afghan refugee artisans and facilitate hands-on skills development trainings for other refugees through internships.

The hotel will display the products at its building.

The head of UNHCR sub-office in Quetta, Erwin Policar, while speaking to the audience said that it is an important day for UNHCR operation in Quetta.

He welcomed the Serena Hotel’s commitment to be part of a growing force to help boost the livelihoods and skills of Afghan refugees. The private sector has a significant role to play in helping to find solutions for refugees, here in Pakistan and in other countries, he said, adding that showcasing their products and linking refugee artisans to markets or offering internships are great examples of how the private sector can help. Erwin Policar further mentioned, “UNHCR work in Balochistan is many folds – our main objective is to find durable solutions to the refugees and in Pakistan this remains to be the voluntary repatriation of refugees under the right conditions. It is imperative that international protection is accorded to refugee, wherever they may be and that their capacities are built - to be a productive and contributing member of their community.”

General Manager Serena Hotel Quetta Rashid Uddin, speaking on the occasion, underlined that the mission of Serena Hotels is to help enhance the economic prospects of communities where its hotels operate, especially of the less privileged segments of society.

He said this programme aims to provide the refugees a path to financial independence by providing technical training in various hospitality sectors including front desk management, culinary skills and housekeeping etc. Furthermore, he said the platform of the Satrang Art Gallery at Quetta Serena will be used to regularly showcase artisanal crafts, hence providing a way to promote the cultural heritage of the refugee communities.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2021.