A technical meeting between the Emergency Program for the Modernization of Border Axes and Territories (PUMA) and the National Agency for the Relaunch of Economic and Social Activities in Casamance (ANRAC) was held yesterday, Thursday December 19, 2024, in Ziguinchor . This meeting, which is part of a concerted approach for the integrated development of border territories and economic recovery in Casamance, aims to lay the foundations of a memorandum of understanding to harmonize interventions and contribute to socio-development. -economic of the southern zone.
With his teams, the National Coordinator of PUMA, Dr Ndeye Marième Samb, chaired a meeting yesterday, Thursday December 19, 2024, in Ziguinchor. This meeting held with officials of the National Agency for the Relaunch of Economic and Social Activities in Casamance (ANRAC), aims to lay the foundations of a memorandum of understanding to harmonize interventions and contribute to the socio-economic development of the southern zone.
IMPROVING SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN CASAMANCE
The first area of collaboration identified by the two parties concerns the improvement of the living conditions of displaced people returning to their localities in Casamance and the relaunch of economic activities. Both parties placed emphasis on targeting priority intervention areas in order to identify the most vulnerable beneficiaries. They also provide for the implementation of structuring economic projects, adapted to local realities and focused on the creation of sustainable jobs. This dynamic aims to meet the expectations of local communities and drive inclusive growth in this conflict-prone region.
STRENGTHENING SECURITY AND MOBILITY
Mobility and population security were at the heart of the discussions. Among the initiatives envisaged, we note the identification of avenues to open up access to facilitate the populations' access to basic social services and markets. The PUMA program aims to establish civil status documents for populations returned to their homes and families, in order to guarantee them effective social and administrative integration. The development of social engineering, in collaboration with ANRAC, will support the processes of reintegration and stabilization of populations. These actions aim to consolidate peace and promote a secure environment conducive to development.
OPTIMIZATION AND MONITORING OF INTERVENTIONS
To ensure effective and measurable implementation of the initiatives, particular emphasis will be placed on the creation of a database allowing the monitoring of the socio-economic conditions of returned populations and households. The PUMA program wants to support ANRAC in setting up a map of the areas of intervention of actors in return areas. The capitalization and dissemination of best practices will make it possible to promote innovative and adapted solutions. Also, the two parties will put in place an effective communication strategy to raise awareness among stakeholders and target populations in order to generate their support.
THE PUMA-ANRAC COLLABORATION BRINGS HOPE
This technical meeting, held in the ANRAC premises, is a decisive step in the collaboration between PUMA and ANRAC. The two structures aim, through this future memorandum of understanding, to lay the foundations for sustainable and harmonious development in Casamance, in response to the expectations of the displaced populations.
