11 December 2011 - UNAMID, in collaboration with the South Darfur State Advisory for Child and Women Affairs, distributed yesterday self powered radios to vulnerable people of the local community in Nyala.

The handover of the sets to widows and girls took place in the Office of the State Advisor for Women and Children, Fatima Tahir Kenjoum, who thanked UNAMID and described it as an added value to the efforts towards empowering women in South Darfur. The distribution of the radios came as part of the Mission’s community outreach programmes which target needy communities in Darfur.

One of the beneficiaries, Sarah Ahmed, said the radio will help her connect with the world while carrying out her house duties without having to leave home. “I don’t have to buy batteries, only what I need is the sun and it is available everywhere for free,” she added.

The UNAMID-donated radios will be distributed to beneficiaries in Nyala and other localities in South Darfur. Self powered by rewinding or solar energy, the sets can run for several hours when fully charged and operate on AM, FM and SW frequencies.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts

Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Susan Manuel, Deputy director, manuels@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)92 241 0274