UNFPA/UNICEF completed the first GBV Risk Mitigation Training for the Pacific SIDS, in FSM, with US support

POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia - The teams of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) joined forces in Pohnpei and completed the first training of a series of capacity development support on Gender-based Violence (GBV) Risk Mitigation focusing on Emergencies, for the Pacific small island developing states (SIDS), which is generously supported by the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). The completion of this GBV training in FSM on 10 July was graced by the US Ambassador to FSM, H.E. Ms Jennifer Johnson.

20 participants from the government, civil society, and multiple UN agencies participated in this training. They learned how to identify risks of GBV during disasters such as cyclones and drought, and ways that emergency response systems, humanitarian and development programming and emergency responders can and should decrease the likelihood that GBV will occur. FSM has led the way in piloting this initiative, with future trainings planned for Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa in 2024 jointly facilitated by UNFPA and UNICEF.

“As the UN-designated global and regional lead agency for coordination of GBV in Emergencies, UNFPA is delighted to be part of this collaboration,” said UNFPA Pacific Chief of Gender and Human Rights, Dr. Leigh-Ashley Lipscomb, who co-facilitated the training on the ground.