On 5 August 2015, UNAMID Civil Affairs Section in Central Darfur State, along with the Rwandan battalion 42, started the construction of a youth centre in Hassahissa camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Zalingei, Central Darfur, in the presence of the Mission’s senior officers and representatives of youth, women and others. 

The Hassahissa Youth Centre project, worth SDG 21600, is part of UNAMID Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). The project aims at empowering the displaced youth in the area and encouraging them to interact with their communities peacefully.

Addressing the occasion, UNAMID Central Darfur Head of Office, Mr. Lameck Kawiche, expressed his satisfaction in officiating this project. “We are pleased to be able to implement this project, which is one of the major requests submitted to UNAMID by the camp leadership,” Mr. Kawiche said. He also called on the beneficiaries to maintain and make best use of the new facility after its completion. He indicated that the centre is to be used by both males and females for training and capacity building purposes and for other forms of social gathering.

Mr. Haroun Ashafi, Cheick of Cheicks of Hassahissa IDPs Camp, on behalf of his community expressed his gratitude to UNAMID for responding to their demand, indicating the importance of the new youth facility as part of the developmental projects in the camp.

The UNAMID Military Sector Commander, Brig Gen George Rwigamba, stated his satisfaction to see the project being implemented by the Mission’s military component. “The wellbeing of the people we are serving is one of our priorities,” he added.

The team leader of the Civil Affairs Section in Central Sector, Mr. Tahir Cevik, commended the leadership of the camp for the good management and for the cooperation with UNAMID. He assured that his section will continue its support to the local community within the available resources.

The representatives of the displace youth and women in Hassahissa camp praised UNAMID support to their community, wishing to get more assistance in the areas of school equipment and water.

During the event, some solar-powered radio sets were distributed to the Hassahissa displaced community by UNAMID Communications and Public Information office in Central Darfur.