On 16 June 2016, UNAMID Water and Environmental Protection (WEP) Unit, in partnership with other Mission components and the local community commemorated jointly, the UN World Environment Day and World Day to Combat Desertification in Abubaker Elsadig Basic School at Hissahisa Camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Central Darfur.

The event, which commenced with a tree planting ceremony in UNAMID Super Camp in Zalingei, Central Darfur, included support with tree seedlings to three schools in the Hissahisa IDP Camp and was aimed at giving support to the community, especially the youth, in their efforts to take care of the environment and achieve land degradation neutrality.

In her opening remarks, UNAMID Water and Environmental Protection Unit representative, Lydia May Ramos, stated that on these special UN Days,  “ we are all reminded of the need to pay special attention to our local environment, especially now with the visible onset of climate change. Our resources, such as water and land, are diminishing. However, we should not lose hope. We can still help the Earth recover through such initiatives as planting of trees that we inaugurated today. Through these efforts, we are supporting and encouraging the younger generations to get involved and start caring for the environment.”

UNAMID Acting Head of Office in Central Darfur office, Yousra El Ghorayeb, reiterated the Mission’s commitment towards enhancement of environment protection and reduction of desertification in Darfur.

The Head of Abubaker Elsadig Basic School, Ishag Mohammadain Wadi, reasserted the commitment of the teachers and the students of the School to nurturing the newly planted trees as a way of combating desertification in their locality.