As part of its efforts to build capacity among Darfuri youth, UNAMID’s Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Section, on 14 April 2015, concluded a three-month vocational training initiative in Mellit, North Darfur.

The training sessions, which were implemented under the Mission’s Community-based, Labour-intensive Projects (CLIPs) programme, included various fields such as construction, computer applications, welding, mechanical and electrical skills, food processing, sewing and embroidery, and so forth. Some 150 youth benefited from the training programme.

The objective of such training programmes conducted by UNAMID DDR is to empower youth and enable them to successfully generate income, thereby preventing them from resorting to criminality or armed conflict.

Addressing the event, the Deputy Commissioner of Mellit locality acknowledged UNAMID DDR’s efforts in improving the skills of Darfuri youth.  “Such vocational trainings are very useful, especially when they target the youth, on whom we have great hopes and UNAMID’s DDR Section provides precious opportunities not only for the participants, but for the entire locality as well,” he said.

“I urge all those who attended this three-month training course to apply their knowledge and skills in their daily life to support their communities,” he added.