UNHCR official opens women training centre

Says empowering youth through education

QUETTA: A senior official of the UN refugee agency on Thursday opened first-ever international standard training centre for women, especially those living in Loralai and Zhob areas of Balochistan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the $1.2 million project, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Assistant High Commissioner George Okoth-Obbo stressed the need to empower youth through education and skills development. It is an essential element of stability and sustainable development,  according to Okoth-Obbo.

The UN refugee agency official is visiting Quetta and Loralai as part of his three-day mission to Pakistan.

The women centre has been built with the joint efforts of the Balochistan government, UNHCR and the international community under the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) initiative.  The aim of this milestone project, worth $1.2 million, is to enhance vocational skills and increase livelihood opportunities for women living in Loralai district and generally in Zhob division.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 26^th, 2016.