UN Women, WFP launch third safe space for women in Zaatari camp

AMMAN — UN Women Jordan and the World Food Programme (WFP) opened a third “Oasis” safe space for women and girls in Zaatari Refugee Camp on Tuesday. 

The new safe space hosts the Eid bi Eid (Hand in Hand) programme, which builds female refugees’ capacity to meet their families’ basic needs, with a focus on diversifying diet and nutritional intake, according to a joint statement released by UN Women and WFP.

“Oasis” safe spaces, operational since 2012, receive approximately 5,000 visitors per month, the statement said.

“Restoring the dignity of women affected by conflict and war is at the heart of our work in Zaatari camp,” the statement quoted UN Women Jordan Representative Giuseppe Belsito as saying.

“The partnership combines the strength and expertise of WFP in humanitarian delivery with the expertise of UN Women in gender equality, empowerment, and women’s rights,” he added.

The statement said the oasis uses a building donated by the US civil military support element and is supported by the government’s Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate.

“This centre demonstrates our commitment to women and girls. Seeing how happy they are when learning new subjects and showing their handicraft products makes you realise how this centre brings back a much-needed sense of normalcy and dignity to their lives,” the statement quoted WFP Country Director for Jordan Mageed Yahia as saying.

The Eid bi Eid programme promotes women and girls’ confidence and abilities through training courses in literacy, computer skills, recycling and handicrafts, while offering onsite child day care, the statement said.

It also provides protection referral services and involves men and boys in the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.

The site is funded by the governments of Finland and Italy.

UN Women’s other activities in the camp, some 90km northeast of Amman, include cash-for-work opportunities and committees to get women more involved in local decision making, while WFP provides food assistance to refugees within and outside the camp through electronic vouchers, according to the statement.

Zaatari camp, Jordan’s largest refugee camp, is home to nearly 80,000 Syrians who have fled the conflict in their home country, the statement said.