As part of its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in the North East, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Thursday, launched a Multipurpose Community Hall in Yola, Adamawa State.
The hall which is funded by the government of Korea, in collaboration with the IOM, the World Food Programme, as well as the Adamawa State Government, is to serve as a Skills acquisition.
The hall, commissioned by the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, was part of a two million dollar funding provided to the IOM by the Korean government for humanitarian assistance.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, IOM Chief of Mission, Franz Celestin said that it would also serve as a center to provide support and empowerment to survivors of sexually based violence.
According to him, the move by the IOM was to provide a hand up to the beneficiaries, so that they could find their feet and push towards life beyond humanitarian aid.
“This hall was built with the purpose of providing a safe space for those who have been displaced and also for those in the community who need assistance.
“They are invited to come, not only for the day to just relax, but to also learn a skill to move on with their lives.
“This hall complements all of the activities that we have been doing to fully operationalize humanitarian development and businesses.
“This gives a space for women, especially those who have been victims of violence, to chart their own course and put forward the steps in the right direction for a better life.
“It will empower women in the community to see a life beyond humanitarian aid. What we are doing here is giving them a hand up to allow them step forward,” he said.
