Supporting displacement-affected communities to access essential services and achieve durable solutions in Diyala and Ninewa governorates, Iraq
Although the Islamic State (IS) was defeated territorially more than five years ago, 2.5 million people in Iraq are in need of humanitarian assistance. This project aims to address key protection issues, such as lack of access to civil legal documents, in displacement-affected communities in Diyala and Ninewa governorates. The goal is to achieve durable solutions through access to essential services and handover to national agencies through capacity building and advocacy.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Iraq |
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR Gender nothemedefined
Protection, access & security
Sexual & gender-based violence Material relief assistance |
15.04.2023
- 14.04.2025 |
CHF 2’000’000
|
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Iraq
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation EMERGENCY RESPONSE
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Material relief assistance and services
Ending violence against women and girls
Material relief assistance and services
Cross-cutting topics The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F09470
Background | Over five years since the territorial defeat of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, the population continues to be exposed to severe protection risks, compounded by continued political uncertainty, insecurity and economic decline. As a result of protracted displacement, continued gaps in conflict affected areas, and low government capacity to undertake service delivery, 2.5 million individuals in Iraq continue to require humanitarian assistance in 2023. Of these, over 1.5 million individuals remain in need of protection support, with 360,000 returnees and Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in acute need of protection assistance located mainly in Ninewa and Diyala governorates. |
Objectives | Displacement-affected communities achieve durable solutions through access to essential services in Diyala and Ninewa governorates, Iraq. |
Target groups | The project has three different target groups: (1) conflict- and displacement-affected individuals who require legal assistance, civil documentation, and GBV support (12,831 unique direct beneficiaries); (2) three local partner organizations engaged in communitybased protection that will receive technical and organizational capacity-building; and (3) key stakeholders and decision-makers on protection, GBV services, and DS, including government authorities, UN agencies, and donors, who will be provided with access to evidence-based protection and genderfocused durable solutions analysis and recommendations. |
Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Conflict-affected and vulnerable women, men and children are better protected through equitable access to specialized protection services. Outcome 2: Conflict-affected and vulnerable women, men and children are better protected through strengthened coordination and improved policies and legal framework. Outcome 3: Conflict-affected and vulnerable women, men and children are better protected through increased capacity of local stakeholders. |
Results |
Expected results: 1.1 Displacement-affected communities and individuals have increased access to legal identity documents, and enjoyment of their rights, including Housing, Land and property (HLP) rights. 2.1 Residual protection and humanitarian needs are better reflected in response plans and UN, donor and government policies and strategies on durable solutions. 3.1 Local partners have increased capacity to manage project activities efficiently. Results from previous phases: Key results: 9,814 returnees and IDPs benefited from protection services, including legal services, case management, and Individual Protection Assistance (IPA). Cash-for-protection in the form of IPA was delivered to 298 beneficiaries. Six community safe spaces were supported to conduct activities and also served as hubs for mobile teams to deploy within nearby communities. Insights from previous phase: The need to adapt the geographic focus under this project so that DRC can expand its existing activities related to Gender-based violence (GBV) programming. The need to engage more systematically with national actors, including community-based organizations and local authorities, to ensure sustainable results. |
Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO |
Coordination with other projects and actors | This project is aligned with the Government of Iraq’s national plan on Durable Solution, the Humanitarian Transition Overview 2023 as well as the priority areas and activities of the Durable Solution Task Force (DSTF). The intervention geographically complements the SDC-funded project carried out by Terre des Hommes and OXFAM in Ninewa and Diyala. The project further complements the envisioned regional project with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), in which legal assistance is provided to complex legal protection cases. |
Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 2’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 1’000’000 |
Project phases | Phase 5 15.04.2023 - 14.04.2025 (Current phase) |