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Strengthening the protection of children affected by the Syrian crisis

Project

This project is carried out with the support of the European Union

animations jeunesse, enfants, jeux, Liban, ONG Terre des hommes
© Terre des hommes
Project start date
Status

Ongoing

Project end date
Project duration
24 months
AFD financing amount
3 000 000 €
Country and region
Jordan, Lebanon
Location
Lebanon: Beirut and the Bekaa plain (municipalities of Fayda and Barelias) Jordan: Governorates of Irbid, Jerash and Mafraq
Type of financing
Delegation of European Union Funds, Minka Peace and Resilience Fund
Beneficiaries
Terre des hommes Lausanne
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The content of this project information sheet falls under the sole responsibility of the AFD and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the European Union.

The NGO Terre des Hommes Lausanne, the largest Swiss children’s aid organization, is working in Lebanon and Jordan to strengthen the protection of children against violence, exploitation and abuse, by improving their access to quality child protection services. AFD is supporting its action via a European Union grant.

Context

Since 2011, the war in Syria and the advance of the Islamic State in Iraq and in the Levant have led to massive population displacements. Iraq and Syria have 3.0 and 6.1 million internally displaced persons, respectively, and over 5 million people have been forced into exodus from Syria to neighboring countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq). These crises and their repercussions in neighboring countries have major social, economic and political consequences, which tend to exacerbate existing tensions and vulnerabilities.

AFD has set out to address these crises by launching the SAWA Initiative, to help the affected countries strengthen their resilience and accelerate their recovery. Back in 2014, AFD supported projects led by NGOs directly targeting vulnerable populations.

In 2017, AFD decided to support 4 new projects led by international NGOs, via a European Union grant, for a total amount of EUR 9m. The objective is to strengthen the social resilience of host communities and refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraqi Kurdistan.

 

Description

The project led by Terre des Hommes will be implemented in Lebanon (in Beirut and on the Bekaa plain), as well as in Jordan (in the Governorates of Irbid, Jerash and Mafraq). It aims to protect boys and girls against violence, exploitation, abuse and negligence by giving them access to quality child protection services. It will benefit host communities and refugees in the countries of operation:

  • 5,250 vulnerable children will have access to psychosocial support and protection services;
  • 8,310 people will enhance their knowledge and good practices in the area of child protection. Child protection committees involving members of the various communities and young people will be set up;
  • 194 people working in local organizations will be trained in how to address the growing needs in the area of child protection.

A total of over 13,700 people will benefit from this project, 38% of them will be children.

Impacts

  • The access for children to psychosocial support and protection services will improve their well-being and their social resilience;
  • The child protection mechanisms will be strengthened by raising the awareness of the immediate family and community circle;
  • The project will contribute to reducing community tensions, by ensuring equitable access to protection services and strengthening the dialogue between communities; 
  • The capacities of 8 Jordanian community organizations and the Lebanese NGO INSAN will be strengthened in the area of child protection.