Dr. Manal Awad, the Governor of Damietta, meets with Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to Egypt and to the League of Arab States, along with the accompanying delegation to discuss ways of cooperation to support both refugees and the hosting community. ©UNHCR/Christine Beshay
Dr. Manal Awad, the Governor of Damietta, welcomed Dr. Hanan Hamdan, UNHCR Representative to the Government of Egypt and the League of Arab States, in Damietta. This meeting marks the beginning of UNHCR’s visit to the governorate launching a new initiative to deliver workshops aimed at providing trainings in counseling and humanitarian work to workers in the civil society. This initiative is part of a broader effort to introduce trainees to the international community’s role in supporting refugees.
The initial meeting served as a platform for both parties to express their commitment to community development and discuss strategies to enhance support for refugees. Damietta, known for hosting refugee communities, is looking to implement effective communication mechanisms and training programs through these workshops.
Governor Awad highlighted Damietta’s successful partnerships with the international community, particularly the establishment of a women-friendly city in collaboration with the National Council for Women and funded by UN Women. This project has led to the launch of training courses for women and the integration of refugee women into the community, culminating in the UNESCO Learning Cities Award for 2021.
The meeting also focused on the development of joint projects targeting local and refugee women, emphasizing a collaborative approach involving various institutions to achieve community development objectives.
Dr. Hanan Hamdan reaffirmed the UNHCR’s readiness to support the Governorate of Damietta in its efforts to integrate refugees and enhance skill development. The UNHCR’s partnership extends to both Egyptians and refugees, with Damietta being a significant hub for nearly 10,000 refugees.
As a gesture of appreciation for the collaborative efforts, Dr. Hanan Hamdan presented an honorary shield from the UNHCR to Governor Awad symbolizing the strong partnership and shared vision for supporting refugees and community development in Damietta.
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