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Strengthening the capacities of local organizations

Project

Health and Social Protection

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

Project start date
Status

Ongoing

AFD financing amount
2 000 000 €
Country and region
Iraq, Lebanon
Location
Lebanon: Governorates of Akkar, North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, Nabatiyah and South Lebanon / Iraqi Kurdistan: Dohuk Governorate
Type of financing
Delegation of European Union Funds, Minka Peace and Resilience Fund
Beneficiaries
ACTED
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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 ACTED, the second largest NGO in France, is working in Lebanon and Iraqi Kurdistan to improve access to basic social services for vulnerable populations and promote social cohesion between communities affected by the Syrian crisis. AFD is supporting its action via a European 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 3.2 and 12 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 ACTED will be implemented in Lebanon in the Governorates of Akkar, North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, Nabatiyah and South Lebanon, as well as in Iraqi Kurdistan in the Dohuk Governorate. It aims to improve access to quality social services for vulnerable and marginalized populations and promote social cohesion between communities affected by the crises. The project will achieve the following results:

  • Strengthening of the capacities of at least 20 local organizations and institutions providing social services, as well as the Department of Labour and Social Affairs (DoLSA) in Iraqi Kurdistan;
  • Financing of 38 local initiatives to meet the priorities identified by the communities concerning the fields of health, protection and psychosocial support;
  • Improvement in access to social services for 12,000 people, among host communities and refugees, thanks to the initiatives implemented.

Impacts

  • The institutions and organizations providing social services manage to better meet the needs of vulnerable populations; 
  • The communities of practice established promote dialogue between organizations and foster social cohesion;
  • An awareness-raising campaign, along with national and regional workshops, improve the sharing of good practices.