ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan –

A workshop aimed at providing support for UN staff members working in Afghanistan is taking place in Ashgabat from 31 January through 10 February 2011. The event is organized by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in cooperation with the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) and with support of the Turkmenistan's Government.

About thirty staff members of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), both Afghan and international, have arrived in the Turkmen capital to attend a workshop entitled "Peer Helpers Training" on receiving practical and emotional support. The main purpose of the training is assisting the UNAMA staff to overcome the stressful challenges of the environment.

The participants will visit the UNRCCA Office to meet with their colleagues and for a briefing on the UNRCCA activities.