1 Context
The Syrian crisis is the world's largest displacement crisis. By early 2019, over six million people have been displaced within Syria and 5.6 million Syrian refugees are registered in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Many refugees have been in their host countries for four years or more. In Iraq ongoing violence has also caused internal displacement. Those who return to their homes face the challenge of rebuilding their lives in the context of large-scale destruction of infrastructure and disruption of the social order. In Syria, a large-scale return of refugees is unlikely in the short term, as the situation is not yet conducive to a safe and dignified return.
Most refugees and internally displaced persons affected by the crises in Syria and Iraq live in host communities; only a small percentage live in dedicated camps. While host governments and communities have made considerable efforts to support refugees and internally displaced persons, the long duration of the crisis is putting a strain on the social fabric. Real and perceived competition over access to education, jobs and other basic services is increasing social tensions. At the same time, many of those affected by the Syrian and Iraqi crises require specific support, for example in helping them overcome the trauma of displacement. As the effects of the now protracted crisis continue to be felt by individuals, communities and government institutions in all four countries, sustained support is required to ensure they can meet the challenges caused by the Syria and Iraqi crises.
2 Objective
The resilience of individuals, communities and institutions is strengthened, enabling them to cope with the challenges caused by the ongoing crises in Syria and Iraq.
3 Approach
The programme Qudra 2 is co-funded by the European Union (EU), Germany and Spain and is a symbol of European support to the neighbouring countries of Syria. It has been designed as a multi-partner action which builds on the combined strength and capacities of the EU and its Member States. The programme is jointly implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Belgian Technical Cooperation (ENABEL), Expertise France, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and Hungarian Interchurch Aid. In each country, it works closely with local political partners.
Qudra 2 works in four major components:
• Education and protection
• Employment promotion and income generation
• Support to local governmental institutions and civil society organisations
• Dialogue and dissemination of accurate information
Access to quality education is crucial for young people affected by the crises in Syria and Iraq. In Jordan, GIZ supports school transport, facility management and extracurricular activities to ensure that children and teachers have an enabling learning environment, mitigating the strain that increasing student numbers place on the education system.
In Lebanon and Iraq, Expertise France and GIZ support access to mental health and psycho-social support services for refugees and internally displaced persons as well as promoting their inclusion in the local community.
Access to employment and income opportunities is one of the key concerns of refugees, IDPs and returnees and members of host communities alike. Qudra 2 supports beneficiaries to secure their livelihoods through jobs, small businesses or their own farms. The activities are implemented by GIZ and ENABEL in Jordan and by GIZ and Hungarian Interchurch Aid in Iraq.
Qudra 2 also strengthens capacities of local governmental institutions and civil society organisations to deliver transparent and inclusive basic services. Community projects and small-scale infrastructure investments improve living conditions of the target groups and contribute to easing community tensions, thus strengthening the resilience of both the local population and institutions. The component is implemented by GIZ and Hungarian Interchurch Aid in Iraq and GIZ in Turkey.
Across countries and components, the programme supports social stability and cohesion between refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities. To this end, the programme seeks to promote dialogue between different stakeholders to foster exchange and encourage innovation. The French media development agency CFI work with partners to disseminate accurate information to the programme’s target group through television, radio and social media. This counteracts the misinformation that is often at the heart of community tensions.