Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
Good afternoon, everyone!
PGA LISTENS TO WOMEN, GIRLS AND CHILDREN DURING VISIT TO ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP IN JORDAN
Earlier today, the President of the General Assembly visited the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan. The camp, close to Jordan’s northern border with Syria is home to approximately 80,000 refugees.
About 20 percent of the households in Zaatari are headed by women.
Ms. Espinosa met with girls who take part in a reading group and then toured the community centre where she had the opportunity to find out more about an e-learning project which equips refugees with computer skills.
The PGA was welcomed by a delegation from UN agencies such as UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF, which work in the camp. She had lunch at Zaatari before visiting a solar plant site and meeting a baker and a tailor at the market street, called “Shams Elyses”.
Yesterday, the President of the General Assembly met with members of the Safi craft women group, who support their communities by designing and crafting garments to promote empowerment and fight poverty.
Before leaving Zaatari, the PGA visited the Oasis UN Women, an initiative which aims to empower Syrian women refugees by using access to economic opportunities and engagement in community life.
Participants are offered language classes, information awareness on key issues such as health, sexual and gender-based violence, a day care centre and cash for work opportunities,
Ms. Espinosa visited a sewing workshop and a kindergarten where she had the chance to talk to children and parents about their lives in Zaatari.
In a tweet, the GA President thanked UN staff who are working in cooperation with the Government of Jordan to provide support, protection, education and access to services to refugees in Zaatari.
Ms. Espinosa will conclude her visit to Jordan tomorrow, 24 July.
More information on our website: www.un.org/pga/73 and on the PGA’s Twitter account @UN_PGA
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