Al-Awlaqi Receives Head of UNHCR Office

Mr. Salem Thabet Al-Awlaqi, head of the National Southern Media Authority (NSMA), assisting the Presidium of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the official spokesman of the STC, received today, Sunday, in his office at the headquarters of NSMA in the capital, Aden, Mr. Mohammed Rafik Nasri, Head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in the capital, Aden, and Mr. Muammar Alwan, the field officer.

In the meeting. Mr. Al-Awlaqi highlighted the importance of cooperation, communication, and coordination with the UNHCR office to support its work in the capital, Aden, and other governorates. He noted that the UNHCR's activities in education, health, protection, and the environment are not only paramount but also met with widespread appreciation, and these are aspects related to refugees and the displaced persons (DPs) as well as the emanating challenging circumstances and repercussions. 

Al-Awlaqi pointed out the crucial role of the UNHCR's office in the capital, Aden, given its status as a major hub for refugees and DPs due to the war-torn conditions in the country and the region.

Furthermore, he expressed NSMA's readiness to cooperate and partner with UNHCR in raising awareness about the UNHCR's mandate regarding refugees and DPs, as well as addressing their protection needs, shining a spotlight on development and humanitarian projects aimed at alleviating their suffering through outreach programs and workshops organized by the UNHCR, and NSMA's pivotal role in coordinating, networking, and communicating with journalists and media outlets.

For his part, Mr. Nasri expressed his gratitude for the efforts of NSMA, looking forward to closely collaborating with the authority to highlight the required needs, disseminate information, and raise awareness among the DPs and refugees about their rights and the measures to protect them, hoping that this visit would mark the beginning of joint media communication and coordination.