There are currently more than 8.6 million people in need in Iraq. Needs in terms of protection, education and WASH are particularly acute in Khanaqin – the area targeted by this project which remains underserved by the international response thus far and highlighted by the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) as a priority area.

Children are particularly affected by the ongoing crisis in Iraq. They are being exposed to risks of death or injury, forced recruitment into armed groups, sexual and physical violence, intense psychological distress, interrupted schooling, and the breakdown of community-based support mechanisms. Against this background, families resort to negative coping mechanisms such as child labor and early childhood marriage in order to gain income or with the intention to protect girls and offer them a better future. Almost 3 million school-aged children and ado­lescents do not have access to basic standard education. Last but not least, 20% of the population – including children – is currently in need of WASH assistance.

Displaced and conflict-affected girls, boys and their families in 3 IDP camps and Glay villages live in dignity and have better access to protective education, safe drinking water and sanitation.

Most vulnerable IDPs and host communities in both camp and non-camp settings in Khanaqin, Diyala Governorate. Around 20,076 direct beneficiaries (12,290 children and 7,786 adults) will benefit from the proposed intervention.

Outcome 1 – Education:  Internally displaced children and children from host communities have better access to formal protective education services in camp and non-camp settings.

Outcome 2 – Child protection: Conflict-affected children and communities have better access to child protection and psychosocial support services to increase their resilience and coping capacity related to displacement and hardship.

Outcome 3 – WASH: Internally displaced children and their families are in a better position to cope with and recover from the hardship of displacement through access to safe water and sanitation, environmental health facilities and increased hygiene knowledge.

Risultati principali attesi:  

• Output 1.1: 192 teachers in formal and non-formal settings are trained on education in emergencies, non-formal education, psychosocial support and child protection methodology and approaches.
• Output 1.2: 5 learning spaces are in line with quality standards in emergencies and prove to be protective environments for children.
• Output 1.3: 100% of students participate in sessions addressing child rights and have access to an effective incident reporting system.
• Output 1.4: 110 parents, community members and youth are actively engaged in education/protection awareness events.
• Output 2.1: 4’300 conflict affected children and young people have access to quality Psychosocial Support.
• Output 2.2: An effective community based mechanism for identification and referral of children with protection concerns is operational and raising awareness on child protection issues.
• Output 2.3: Case Management capacity is strengthened to respond to the critical child protection needs in targeted location.
• Output 3.1: provision of improved, safe, sufficient and appropriate water supply and sources to meet drinking, cooking and personal hygiene needs for 8400 individuals
• Output 3.2: 8400 women, men, girls and boys have access to toilets and washing facilities that are safe, accessible, Child and disable friendly as well culturally and gender appropriate.
• Output 3.3: provision of core hygiene items and promotion of improved hygiene practice for 8400 women, men, girls and boys.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

• Four Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) were set up in Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah.
• 3,408 IDP children participated in CFS activities and received psychosocial support through culturally appropriate activities.
• 396 displaced children accessed non-formal education and 278 children attended 28 protection-specific sessions.
• 8,700 hygiene kits and 8,314 food parcels were distributed in Sulaymaniya, Kirkuk and Salah Al Din governorates.
• 5000 children in Kirkuk and Chamchamal received winter clothes.
• 8,700 conflict-affected families were sensitized to health and hygiene concerns, thus reducing the occurrence of infectious disease.
• Families are better educated how to prevent health risks and be empowered to take care of their own and their family’s health and wellbeing.
• Contribution to the establishment of field offices in Kalar.

Lessons learnt from Phase 1

• Need for integrated activities as education, protection and WASH needs are interlinked.
• Need to engage with the parents as well as their children.
• More emphasis on capacity building initiatives for local partners, including trainings, mentoring and support and better linking partners to local authorities, provides for better sustainability of results.
• Need for community-based protection approaches.
• Need to develop exit strategy plans with partners to ensure sustainability and ownership of programming.

Al Kanz, a local NGO based in Aliawa camp involved in Phase 1.

The project is within the scope of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2015. It is in line with the Swiss Cooperation Strategy Middle East 2015-2018, complements the project Community driven and emergency WASH intervention for displacement-affected people in Iraq (7F-08761.02) and SDC’s contribution to UNHCR and Unicef Iraq, including planned Secondments in WASH and protection.

Fase 2 15.12.2015 - 31.08.2017   (Completed)