Former Somali refugee is winner of UN refugee agency's prize
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Nansen Refugee Award winner Mama Hawa addresses a group of internally displaced women in the Halabokhad settlement, Galkayo. UNHCR/F.Juez
A former Somali refugee is the winner of the United Nations refugee agency's (UNHCR) annual prize.
UNHCR announced on Tuesday that the 2012 Nansen Refugee Award is being given to Hawa Aden Mohamed.
She is the founder and director of the Galkayo Education Centre for Peace and Development (GECPD) in Puntland, north-eastern Somalia.
Ms. Mohamed returned to Somalia in 1995 and launched an education programme to help people uprooted by Somalia's persistent conflict and recurring droughts.
UNHCR spokesperson, Melissa Fleming has more.
"Her visionary work has transformed the lives of thousands of displaced women and girls, who are among the most vulnerable members of Somali society and in many cases were grappling with the trauma of marginalization, abuse and sexual violence, including rape. Hawa Aden Mohamed is being given this award in recognition of her exceptional, tireless and inspiring humanitarian work for Somalia’s refugee and displaced girls and women, work performed under incredibly difficult and challenging circumstances."
Duration: 32"
