At a graduation ceremony January 18th at Damascus Family Club- Damascus Syria, UNRWA and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) delivered certificates to 113 beneficiaries of a Women Empowerment Project.

The pilot project launched by DRC and UNRWA in early 2010, aims at providing protection through livelihood support for women in need. 128 women of several nationalities (Syrian, Palestinian, Iraqis, and Somalis) were referred by partners (mainly UNHCR) and selected for a period of 6 months, during which they benefited from a comprehensive pack of services: vocational training (on child care, clothing manufacturing and photography), life and business management skills, legal and social counselling, Literacy, English and computer courses, kindergarten, cash assistance and tool kits.

Mr. Hearn, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Syria, underlined the achievements of the project enabling the participants to protect themselves, restart their education and develop professional skills to make the most of their future. He also thanked the Danish Refugee Council and donors of the project: the Swiss Development Cooperation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Mr. Oertle, Deputy Head of Mission of the Swiss Embassy, expressed the Government of Switzerland’s hopes that the project prepared these women to better tackle their daily life, to find job opportunities, or to manage their home-based businesses independently and regardless of their location. Mr. Oertle also mentioned that the Swiss government is looking forward to further cooperation with the implementing agencies to support them in the same endeavour, as the example of this project proved to be an important and successful one.

The graduation ceremony in Damascus was attended by Director of UNRWA Affairs in Syria, Director-General of GAPAR, Deputy Head of Mission of the Swiss Embassy, Deputy Head of Mission of the Danish Embassy as well as representatives from the Swiss Development Cooperation, UNHCR and other partners working in support of the DRC projects in Syria.

For any information about the project and the work of DRC in Syria, please contact: Olivier BEUCHER, DRC Syria Country Director at: olivier.beucher@remove-this.drcsyria.dk, and/or Valentina STIVANELLO, DRC Syria Programme Manager at: valentina.stivanello@remove-this.drcsyria.dk.

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