ANNUAL REPORT 2017

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 1 CONTENT

The Norwegian Refugee Council is an independent Reaching more communities in crisis...... 4 AMERICAS...... 40 humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Colombia...... 42 Where we are...... 6 STORY: The people the peace forgot...... 43 Prinsensgate 2, 0152 Oslo, Norway People assisted ...... 8 Honduras...... 44 Executive summary...... 10 ASIA ...... 46 Chief editor Afghanistan...... 48 Tuva Raanes Bogsnes Iran...... 49 PART 1: PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES ...... 12 STORY: The first day of school ...... 50 Editor Areas of expertise...... 14 Myanmar...... 51 Eirin Hollup Broholm CAMP MANAGEMENT / EDUCATION ...... 14 EUROPE ...... 52 LIVELIHOODS AND FOOD SECURITY / ICLA ...... 15 Greece...... 54 Production team SHELTER AND SETTLEMENTS / WASH ...... 16 STORY: Once a dropout, now a teacher ...... 55 Eline Anker, Guri Romtveit, Roberta Bensky, Hanna Haaland Thematic approaches ...... 17 Ukraine...... 56 ACCESS IN HARD-TO-REACH AREAS / CASH ...... 17 MIDDLE EAST...... 58 Graphic design IMPLEMENTING AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS / INNOVATION ...... 18 Iraq...... 60 Øystein Os Simonsen PROTECTION AND GENDER / YOUTH ...... 19 STORY: Finding hope in education ...... 61 Jordan ...... 62 Cover photo Lebanon ...... 64 Adrienne Surprenant/NRC PART 2: COUNTRY OPERATIONS ...... 20 Palestine...... 65 AFRICA...... 22 Syria ...... 66 Before the drought, Mako Ogli used to live in Ferdigab, Cameroon ...... 24 Turkey...... 67 Somalia, with her two-year-old son Mohamed. When the CAR...... 25 water got scarce, she moved with all her belongings, Djibouti...... 26 walking for a whole day and night to Wereg’s village. DR Congo...... 27 PART 3: THEMATIC AREAS ...... 68 STORY: Changing lives with one swipe ...... 28 Ready to respond ...... 70 Published May 2018 Eritrea...... 29 Being a responsible employer ...... 72 Ethiopia...... 30 Better learning...... 74 Queries should be directed to [email protected] Kenya ...... 31 Partnering to extend our reach...... 76 Mali and Burkina Faso ...... 32 NRC’s engagement in the Grand Bargain ...... 78 The production team expresses their gratitude to Nigeria ...... 33 IDPs along the continuum of displacement ...... 80 the NRC staff who contributed to this report. Somalia...... 34 Promoting coordination and new ways of working...... 82 South Sudan...... 35 Follow NRC on social media: Tanzania...... 36 Uganda ...... 37 Yemen ...... 38 References...... 84 STORY: The carnage in Yemen must end...... 39 Acronyms...... 85

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 2 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 3 REACHING MORE COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS

2017 saw protracted and neglected crises uproot millions from their homes.

Entering 2017, over 65.6 million people were displaced We expanded our presence to better help communities in by war and violence. 128 million needed humanitarian aid. crisis. We opened a country office in Cameroon to broaden NRC reached a record number of people in response to our response to the Lake Chad crisis. We established a rep- the urgent need, assisting 8.7 million individuals. We strove resentation office in Berlin, to collaborate with the German to operate on the frontlines, as close as possible to people government, an increasingly important actor in responding who needed us the most. to global refugee issues. In Burkina Faso, we closed our operations and handed over programmes to international Protracted crises consumed much of our work. Conflicts in and local partners. Yemen, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo continued unabated. When I visited Yemen in May, I NRC grew in terms of resources and funding. Our total witnessed war and sanctions ripping an entire nation apart. income reached USD 490 million, up 33 per cent from We scaled up our emergency operation in response and 2016. This enabled us to assist more people in need, with spoke out boldly against humanitarian atrocities. higher quality services. There remain, however, many more we need to help and protect in hard-to-reach areas. Extreme Similarly, the Lake Chad region faced hunger, cholera and risks, lack of permissions from authorities and conflict par- conflict. In Nigeria, our emergency teams provided lifesav- ties, and destroyed infrastructure created barriers for us in ing assistance, while our food security and livelihood staff reaching vulnerable communities. helped people become self-sufficient. Our committed, skilled and courageous staff risk crossfire, In Syria, conflict lines shifted but the human suffering attacks and violence. Their safety and security remain our remained acute. Government-backed troops retook large priority. swaths of the country from opposition forces. Half-a-million people were trapped in besieged areas. Our teams pro- I had the opportunity to meet hundreds of colleagues in vided food, livelihood support and rehabilitated community 2017, travelling to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Nigeria, Palestine, structures. Turkey and Yemen. Speaking with displaced families, I was humbled to learn the tremendous impact we had on their But 2017 was not all bleak. lives. Through the commitment of more than 14,000 humani- tarian workers, nearly all of them in field locations, we aspire While we began the year faced with multiple potential to assist and protect even more vulnerable people in 2018, famines, NRC was part of an international effort that helped delivering in more hard-to-reach places. to avert or reduce mass starvation in Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen and Nigeria. This was no small feat.

Our NORCAP experts contributed vital skills to the hu- Photo: Alex McBride/NRC Alex Photo: manitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors in 77 JAN EGELAND countries across the globe. Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland visiting a displacement site in Tanganyika, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 4 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 5 WHERE WE ARE

OSLO

BERLIN LONDON BRUSSELS Ukraine GENEVA Mongolia Bosnia-Hercegovina Kosovo Georgia Macedonia Aserbaijan Kyrgyzstan Spain Albania Armenia North Korea WASHINGTON D.C. Greece Turkey Tajikistan Syria Tunisia Lebanon Iraq Afghanistan Palestine Iran Morocco GULF OFFICE Jordan Pakistan Algeria Nepal Egypt Bangladesh Myanmar Haiti Mauretania Mali Niger Dominica Senegal Chad Sudan Eritrea Yemen Thailand Honduras Philippines Gambia Burkina Faso A.U. OFFICE Djibouti Costa Rica Nigeria Panama Venezuela Ghana South Ethiopia Liberia CAR Sudan Somalia Colombia Cameroon Uganda Congo Kenya Ecuador DR Congo Burundi Tanzania Peru Timor-Leste

Angola Malawi Vanuatu

Zimbabwe Namibia Madagascar

NRC programme countries NORCAP deployments 2017

Representation offices

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 6 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 7 2017

2016 HONDURAS 5,724 GREECE PANAMA 5,919 3,195

In 2017 we assisted TANZANIA 23,915 DJIBOUTI CAMEROON 31,446 15,517

AFGHANISTAN JORDAN 8,701,638 382,739 187,907 people in need

KENYA 399,439

NIGERIA SOMALIA 149,960 791,219 SOUTH SUDAN PALESTINE 647,722 121,213

DR CONGO 592,420 ETHIOPIA 452,555

IRAQ 2,004,731 MYANMAR 143,653 UGANDA 130,072

SYRIA 672,523 YEMEN 762,531 LEBANON 497,324 CAR 199,564 MALI 253,501 COLOMBIA UKRAINE vs. 6,835,624 in 2016 72,038 IRAN 53,960 54,076

ERITREA VENEZUELA 1,824 1,544 ECUADOR 2,407

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 8 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 9 We adjusted our responses according to where the Although there is still a large gap between humani- needs were greatest. We are expanding our response in tarian need and global funding, the financial support the Lake Chad Basin. We established a new programme from our donors increased. Our budget increased by in Cameroon, and we are opening up a regional office in 33 per cent from 2016, and constituted a total of USD Dakar, Senegal. Additionally, our teams assessed the need 490 million. We have a diversified range of institutional for assistance in Libya, and will initiate operations there donor partners, and we are expanding our private donor EXECUTIVE in 2018. We handed over our operations in Burkina Faso markets beyond Norway. As our donors are presenting new to other INGOs and NGOs due to a decrease in funding demands to us, we are developing new ways to work, for allocated to refugees in the country. example within NGO consortia. Additionally, we are working SUMMARY for reform in the humanitarian sector. Through our prominent We promoted the rights of displaced people, advo- role in the Grand Bargain process we strive to, among other cating for better reception conditions in Greece and being things, simplify financial reporting. vocal in condemning the attacks on civilians in Yemen. We have reached more people than ever before thanks to our 14,450 humanitarians, 7,450 of them While the number of displaced people and humanitarian employees, working in 31 countries. Our employees needs are increasing, we expanded our work and were able work in high-risk environments. It is our duty to take care of to help more people than ever before. our staff and make sure they are reasonably safe. We are therefore improving and expanding our work on security risk management. We continuously strive to create a culture of safety in the organisation, where our staff can raise their concerns among other means through staff surveys and discussions. Photo: Adrienne Surprenant/NRC Adrienne Photo: NRC’s overall aim is to help people forced to flee. tributions and cash transfers. While the humanitarian crisis We help people cover immediate needs and find lasting deepened in South Sudan, our mobile emergency teams as- As a growing organisation it is important to, at the solutions to displacement. We assisted 8.7 million people sisted displaced people with shelter, food and clean water. same time, ensure quality in all our work. To achieve in need thanks to relevant programmes, donor mobilisation this, we have invested in reinforcing our support functions. and our ability to recruit qualified staff. Our teams respond- In areas where the scale of the emergency affected our We also constantly evaluate our efforts to learn from our ed to humanitarian needs within our six sectors of expertise: in-country operation’s ability to respond, we sent additional experiences and to adjust our approaches and strategies. camp management; education; information, counselling and staff to help on a temporary basis. 27 experts provided In 2017, we evaluated our Better Learning Programme in legal assistance; livelihoods and food security; shelter and short-term assistance in 12 countries. Our emergency Palestine and our pilot interventions in Honduras. The les- settlements and water, sanitation and hygiene promotion. response teams handed out supplies and food to Afghans sons have guided our subsequent activities. Additionally, we returning from Pakistan in the middle of winter. In Iraq, they continue to strengthen a cost-efficient culture, making sure We also focus on topics that are relevant across helped people fleeing Mosul. that as much of our received funds are spent for the benefit sectors. For example, all our programmes consider gen- of the people we serve. der issues, from speaking up on women’s right to land in In protracted crises, we supported lasting solutions Afghanistan, to building girls’ toilets in schools in South such as integration through livelihoods and educa- We can firmly say we have managed to reach more Sudan and preventing recruitment of boys as child soldiers tion. In the large refugee-hosting countries of Ethiopia, displaced people in hard-to-reach areas with a timely in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). We also Kenya and Uganda, we have helped displaced people find and effective assistance in the past three years. We prepare displaced youth for the future through education new livelihoods. In Colombia, our teams supported the re-in- have been a reputable voice globally, advocating for dis- and livelihoods training. tegration process following the peace agreements. In Iran, The drought followed Mako Ogli and her family lost most of their placed people’s rights. Our teams have worked to find last- livestock. She struggles to keep the remaining animals alive, we enabled education for Afghan refugees who have been searching for grass and water to feed them. ing solutions, supporting external partners to act efficiently We work to find innovative solutions on how to efficiently displaced for decades. In Kenya, we informed Somalian ref- and helped displaced communities to prevent, manage and deliver aid to more people in need. For instance, we expand- ugees about living conditions in their home country, so they recover from crises. ed our work on cash assistance, enabling us to reach more could make well-informed decisions on going back. We also Our expert deployment capacity, NORCAP, helped crisis-affected people, and for them to choose their own spoke up against preliminary and forced returns in countries improve international and local ability to prevent, prepare Entering 2018, we have new strategic objectives for priorities. We partnered with corporate sponsors to receive such as Afghanistan and Syria. for, respond to and recover from crises. When more than the coming three years. We work in a constantly chang- complementary expertise, allowing us to further develop. 600,000 people fled Myanmar to seek refuge in Bangla- ing humanitarian environment where growing needs remain Maintaining our neutral and impartial position, we desh, we deployed 24 experts to assist national and local unmet, international norms are under pressure and the Our teams reached more people with emergency negotiated with governments and non-state groups stakeholders to set up camps and provide shelter in Cox’s humanitarian sector is changing with rapid technological assistance in hard-to-reach areas. In Syria, we provided to assist people in areas that are hard to reach. Bazar. In 2017, the Norwegian Resource Bank for Democ- development. We will expand our work in neglected crises, food, while building and supporting shelter, education and In Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh we faced bureaucratic racy and Human Rights (NORDEM) was integrated into assist more people in hard-to-reach areas and promote sanitary facilities. In Yemen, we assisted people at risk of barriers preventing us from operating. We continue efforts our work. This allowed us to build bridges between our lasting solutions. Additionally, we will strengthen integration famine. In eastern DR Congo, which experienced one of the to be able to work there. We trained our staff in humanitar- emergency response and longer-term efforts. among our programmes, all while including protection and highest number of new displacements in the world last year, ian negotiation. In Mali, DR Congo and the Central African cash assistance in our operations. Our main ambition is to our teams reached hundreds of thousands with educational, Republic, we launched mediation initiatives aiming to ac- Our Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) be the leading displacement organisation serving people food security and legal assistance. We helped prevent a cess the hardest-to-reach areas and to reduce tensions and reported on and advocated for people displaced within their that are hard to reach. food crisis in Somalia thanks to an early release of funding violence within communities. own country. IDMC refined its ways of monitoring internal by donors and a large-scale response, including food dis- displacement, providing data that is more comprehensive.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 10 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 11 In 2017 we delivered 9,189,104 individual services through our six programme activities

We also provided 1,109,208 PART 1 services through other activities PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES

2017

2016

LIVELIHOODS AND FOOD SECURITY WASH 1,881,761 2,853,278

SHELTER AND SETTLEMENTS CAMP MANAGEMENT 1,212,183 1,312,813 EDUCATION ICLA 992,204 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 12 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 936,865 PAGE 13 LIVELIHOODS CAMP MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND FOOD SECURITY ICLA Photo: David Belluz/NRC David Photo: Photo: Ingrid Prestetun/NRC Ingrid Photo: Photo: ChristianPhoto: Jepsen/NRC Photo: MichellePhoto: Delaney/NRC

The Norwegian Refugee Council is working in Monguno town, NRC is building a new school building for Lufunda Primary School In Gomgoi village, South Sudan, NRC assists women to grow “It is important to have the card, because then I can travel Nigeria, providing shelter, water and sanitation to families in need. in Mpati, DR Congo with more than 300 children enrolled. nutritious vegetables like arugula during the dry season. anywhere I want” says Thar Zin Paing (14) from Myanmar​.

A camp is not a long-term solution. It’s the last resort. But in Our education programme offers protection and stability as Food security means having steady physical and social Whether they have just fled from their homes, have been crises and complex emergencies, a camp may be the only well as essential knowledge to displaced people. We build access to safe and nutritious food within economic reach. displaced for a long time and are considering staying where option. NRC sees to it that camps are safe places, offering classrooms, supply learning materials, train teachers and Conflict often triggers food insecurity and vice versa, de- they are, or are preparing to return home, displaced people access to services, shelter and protection. Our teams work work closely with governments and partners to create flexi- priving people of their ability to produce food, to work and often experience violations of their rights. Our information, to promote communication, coordination and communi- ble, full cycle education options for displaced communities. to earn an income. If left unattended, these conditions can counselling and legal assistance (ICLA) programmes sup- ty engagement. We facilitate coordination mechanisms, lead to famine. port displaced women and men to claim their rights. establish and support community representation structures, We begin our work in the first phase of an emergency, manage feedback mechanisms for displaced communities, providing physically and emotionally safe spaces where To protect people’s human right to food, our teams set up We focus on housing, land and property rights, obtaining and provide them with information and training. children can make friends, play and regain the stability to safety nets to meet basic needs. These nets enable people civil and identity documentation, immigration and refugee begin learning again. If a child or young person has spent to access adequate amounts of food to meet their dietary laws and procedures, registration of internally displaced Although traditional camp management is rooted in formal time out of school, we guide them through accelerated needs, and which respects their cultural preferences. We and labour rights. We apply various methods to assist camp settings, an increasing number of displaced people classes so they can catch up with their peers. Whenever promote and support livelihood strategies that protect displaced people to overcome legal problems, including find themselves in informal settlements and urban areas. possible, we help children transition into formal schooling. and enhance people’s ability to live a productive life. This dispute resolution and legal representation. We apply our camp management know-how to these set- We provide a range of education and training opportunities approach bolsters the restoration of their everyday lives and tings so that they can receive the same quality assistance. for youth, opening pathways to livelihoods and community ability to meet their food needs on their own. Using this field experience, we have spearheaded global engagement. resources toward best practices, most notably the official To mitigate the risk of relapse, we invest in the participation Camp Management Toolkit, and we are a global leader in We actively advocate for the right to an education and strive of displaced people, so that they can strengthen their ability the sector. to ensure safe, high quality and certified education options to adapt in the future. for displaced children and youth, even in the hardest-to- reach places.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 14 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 15 SHELTER ACCESS IN AND SETTLEMENTS WASH HARD-TO-REACH AREAS CASH Photo: ChristianPhoto: Jepsen/NRC Photo: Melany Markham/NRC Melany Photo: Photo: MohammedPhoto: Bukar/NRC Photo: Wolfgang Gressman/NRC Wolfgang Photo:

Even as the battle for Mosul, Iraq continued, NRC distributed In Monguno, Nigeria, NRC runs shelter and WASH (water, sanita- building supplies to over 2,000 families whose homes had been tion and hygiene promotion) programmes for internally displaced A truckload of people pass an oil field that was ignited by the IS Over 6,000 families received food and household items at the damaged. people displaced by conflict. group as they withdrew from the area. e-Voucher market in Kanyabayonga, DR Congo in March 2017.

Shelter is essential for people’s physical and social protec- For many displaced families, access to safe water and san- Conflicting parties sometimes deny agencies access to Cash-based interventions enable crisis-affected people to tion, dignity, privacy and health. At times, it can save lives. itation is a daily struggle. Disease prevention hinges upon areas they control. Additionally, attacks against humani- make choices and prioritise their own needs. They, after all, We endeavour to make shelters safe and secure, and we access to clean water, culturally appropriate sanitation facili- tarian workers are increasing. Our teams actively seek to know how best to care for their families. Provision of cash design them to resist natural and operational hazards. Our ties, waste management and positive hygiene practices. The overcome challenges like these. also supports local markets, which is a critical element for efforts also demand that these solutions provide adequate simple practice of washing hands with soap and water can the survival and recovery of communities. Additionally, cash space, lighting, thermal comfort and ventilation. Our shelter prevent many dangerous diseases from spreading. To reach people in need, we have developed guidelines allows us to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible. and settlements programmes work across different settle- and targeted training for our staff. We are rolling out a ment types, be they grouped (collective centres, self-settled We work to ensure that people can access water and sani- blended training approach, combining e-learning with One modality is multi-purpose cash (MPC), which are a camps and planned camps) or dispersed (host families, tation facilities within, or close to their households, schools in-depth humanitarian negotiations and mediation, for the series of unconditional and unrestricted cash transfers over urban and rural self-settlement). and communal institutions. For us, it’s important that every benefit of our staff, as well as humanitarian partners. In a set period. In addition to routinely considering the use of water tap or toilet we build can be used by all people, no countries where we are operating remotely, we developed cash as a way to respond, we push the boundaries by using Our teams improve community infrastructure, help plan and matter their age, gender or physical ability. We work closely a self-guided training module about safety, situational non-traditional partners, beyond banks and mobile money build displacement camps, and distribute household items. with displaced people and their local hosts to ensure that all awareness and resilience. In Jordan, our teams organised a companies, in delivering MPC to hard-to-reach communi- We work with displaced people to identify and develop facilities we build can be easily operated and maintained. workshop regarding principled engagement with state and ties. solutions that meet their needs, benefit local suppliers, and non-state armed actors in the Middle East. Because of this use local labour. programme’s success, we plan to replicate the workshop in However, in some less challenging areas where MPC is other sensitive areas. rapidly becoming the default delivery modality, there is often no other sectoral work being done to address the non-fi- We have launched a three-year humanitarian mediation nancial barriers people face. We recognise that cash is initiative in Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR) and not the solution to all needs in every humanitarian crisis. To the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our teams will facilitate complement cash transfers, our teams identify assistance mediation and dialogue processes to reduce tensions and within other sectors to run alongside the cash distributions, violence, aiming to increase the access to, and the protec- so that all needs are met. tion of civilians. Based on previous experiences in Haiti and CAR, humanitarian mediation processes enabled by neutral There are also situations where cash should not be used. actors has proven to be important for civilians in regaining For example, when there are no functioning markets, no safe safety and freedom of movement. way to transfer the assistance or when cash transfers could put people at risk. We recognise our responsibility to do no harm, and always take steps to ensure that our work and interventions do not During 2017, we disbursed more than USD 60 million, add to tensions or escalate conflicts. Conflict sensitivity and which is a 50 per cent increase from 2016. Going forward, analysis are therefore the initial basis for our interventions we will continue to increase and diversify the use of cash- and a pre-requisite to access high-risk environments. based interventions across all activities and in all phases of displacement.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 16 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 17 IMPLEMENTING AND PROTECTION LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS INNOVATION AND GENDER YOUTH Photo: NRCPhoto: NRCPhoto: Photo: Beate Simarud/NRC Beate Photo: Photo: Ingrid Prestetun/NRC Ingrid Photo:

A sign informing about several organisations working together The EdTech for Emergencies app provides Somali language A group of Eritrean youth, whom have crossed the border to to implement WASH activities in a refugee camp in Djibouti. reading materials to the Somali refugee community in Kenya. Women and children are especially vulnerable when forced to flee. Ethiopia, live in a children’s collective run by NRC.

NRC understands local partnership as a working relation- To us, innovation means scaling up new solutions from other Protection is about safety, dignity, and rights. It is about There are more young people in the world than ever before. ship between two equal organisations based on shared organisations and developing new solutions ourselves and people being safe from the harm or abuse others might Over 23 per cent of the people on the planet are adoles- values, principles and the commitment to assist displaced with partners. Our innovation projects aim to deliver our ser- cause them when armed conflict or disaster leaves them cents and youth between the ages of 10 and 24. During a populations. vices more efficiently, reaching more people and ultimately vulnerable. It is our mission to reduce risks for displaced young person’s displacement, education and training plays finding lasting solutions for those we help. people and strengthen their ability to protect themselves. a key role in developing a sense of purpose and the oppor- Through our partnerships, we have increased the impact From avoiding harm by providing lighting in a camp, to tunity to gain livelihood skills. Most programmes, however, of our operations by enhancing the capacity of local actors In 2016, we initiated our work with an internal innovation working on housing, land, and property rights to prevent dis- target younger primary-aged children. Given the potential of to respond to the needs of displaced people and promote fund, and scaled it up in 2017. Through this, our country crimination of women, we strive to ensure safety, dignity and young people to make a change within their communities, their rights. These partnerships can further contribute to the offices are invited to apply for funding to support their access to impartial assistance. there is insufficient investment in the protection of their widening of our reach, credibility, acceptance and account- innovation activities. The lessons we learned from the fund needs and rights. Youths themselves call for more bridges ability to affected populations, and can be useful in access- have been crucial to structuring and developing innovative In providing support to the most vulnerable, we recognise between education, training and eventual employment – ing or exiting certain areas. thinking within the organisation. It allows us to test what the different impact that conflict has on women, men, girls hybrid education solutions that help them transition from works and what doesn’t, both when managing the fund and and boys. Some may be denied their rights just by virtue school to work. In 2017, more than half of our country offices were engaged when implementing the projects. One of the main lessons of their gender. Others may be exposed to sexual violence in some form of partnership, ranging from direct funding was steering clear from ready-made solutions. Our experi- and abuse, or are at risk of being dragged into illegal armed NRC’s Youth Education programmes prepare this at-risk relationships with other national NGOs, to partnerships ence indicated that some of the projects we funded in 2017 groups. That is why all of our projects take gender issues group to find new educational pathways and livelihood with national ministries and technical agencies. Our work moved forward with solutions too fast, not investing enough into account. From speaking up for women’s land rights, to opportunities. We build on their capacities and help them with implementing and local partners increasingly involves time in gaining insight into the problem they were solving. building girls’ toilets in schools and protecting boys from obtain skills needed to meet the demands of the job market capacity building and sharing of skills, both from us to our This led to new challenges during the implementation phase being recruited as child soldiers, we listen to their needs, and to become active members of their community. We partners and vice versa. Our country offices worked with of the project, which we could have avoided by prioritising no matter their gender or age. We put equality into our do this through offering numeracy and literacy courses, partners to access communities in need, render technical a more focused insight phase. Therefore, we now fund day-to-day work, ensuring that it is part of the planning and technical skills and life skills in safe and protective environ- expertise and as part of planning an exit strategy for our the initial phases of the innovation process. This way, the practice of all our activities in the field. ments. We support their life-transitions by following up and operations. innovation teams use time and resources at the start, and mentoring our post-graduates as well. make sure a solution is solving the right problem in the best We have developed internal guidance regarding our work possible way. We participate in various international, national and local with implementing partners. Key to this process was the policy and coordination platforms to positively influence improved attention to compliance and the best practices for humanitarian policy and practice for young people. contracting relationships. We completed field testing and finalised our toolkit for widespread use at the end of 2017. We also established a partnership helpdesk to support countries with technical and contractual advice on partner- ships.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 18 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 19 Photo: Ingrid Prestetun/NRC Ingrid Photo:

PART 2 COUNTRY OPERATIONS

Ei Ei Moe graduated from the NRC vocational training centre, Dawei, Myanmar. Now she is working as a trainee at a motorbike mechanical shop in town. Her ambition is to establish her own shop so that she NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 20 canNRC have ANNUAL an income REPORT and 2017support her family. PAGE 21 onestopmap.com Increasing displacements, drought and armed conflict continued to affect the region AFRICA in 2017. Despite the growing list of challenges, a huge gap remains between the many humanitarian needs and available funding to confront them.

In Central and West Africa, we focused our responses on emergencies in hard-to-reach areas, while continuously evaluating the safety of our workers. Though humanitarian Tunisia funding decreased in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we managed to reach new areas. We also responded to displacements resulting from the Boko Haram crisis affect- Morocco ing Cameroon and Nigeria. In Mali and the Central African Republic, we continued responding to new displacements, Skarstein/NRC Tiril Photo: Algeria while also supporting those able to return.

Our operations in East Africa have all increased focus on Egypt finding lasting solutions to displacement, especially in the large refugee hosting countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. We provided information about return to coun- tries of origin, and assisted people to access a livelihood while displaced. We imparted resilience practices to dis- Mauretania Mali Niger placed people facing shocks or stresses and jointly created Sudan Eritrea Yemen better life conditions. In Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Senegal Chad Yemen, we successfully responded to the drought, hunger Gambia Burkina Faso Djibouti and famine that forced people to move. Our constant efforts to expand and reach people in need Angelina (23) had just been sitting for her last exam in Nigeria have helped us respond to displacements that are becom- South Sudan, when she quickly had to flee the country. Ethiopia Now she is living in Bidibidi in Uganda. Ghana South ing increasingly regional in character. Liberia CAR Cameroon Sudan Somalia Uganda Main activities: Congo Kenya DR Congo Burundi Tanzania

Angola Malawi

Other Madagascar Others MALI Zimbabwe Other Telethon WFP UN Own ETHIOPIA NIGERIA funds NMFA Namibia SDC GAC 18% CAR NORAD DEVCO Total DR UNICEF YEMEN People CONGO expenditure assisted OCHA ECHO OFDA 182.7 17% 4,006,248 MILLION USD SOUTH SIDA SUDAN 10% SOMALIA UNHCR UGANDA DFID 13% 13% KENYA

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 22 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 23 CAMEROON CAR

Humanitarian overview have been on the rise due to limited services and education. Although we Humanitarian overview Thousands of Nigerians have fled to resources shared among them. helped some people obtain civil docu- The Central African Republic (CAR) Cameroon’s Far North region to escape mentation, others are still met by chal- has seen continuous political crises of violence. Entering 2017, the conflict and NRC’s operation lenges. We will continue to advocate dictatorship, military coups and armed

unrest had internally displaced 177,000 As a response to the growing number for the removal of heavy bureaucratic clashes. In 2012, civil war broke out onestopmap.com people as well. of people forced to flee in the Lake and financial barriers, such as expen- between Muslim and Christian rebel Chad Basin area, NRC established sive court hearings, lack of registers groups. Both have been responsi- In the Far North, attacks and looting by a presence in the Far North region of and qualified staff to perform transcrip- ble for massacres, executions, sexual Boko Haram have created urgent needs Cameroon in April 2017. Though inse- tion services. violence, torture, widespread looting among civilians, particularly women curity was a main challenge to our work, and destruction of property. Despite and girls. Meanwhile, Cameroon’s we were able to help people in loca- In the Far North region, people rely on a cease-fire in 2015, and relatively infrastructure struggles to accommo- tions that had not received any assis- agriculture and livestock for survival. peaceful elections in 2016, the secu- date these rising needs. Most internally tance prior to our intervention. However, in areas bordering Nigeria, rity situation has deteriorated. Violence SIBUT displaced Cameroonians have sought Boko Haram members have been per- continued to escalate in 2017, with over CARNOT refuge in informal settlements and host Our teams provided emergency shel- petrating attacks and looting crops 200,000 newly displaced in the first six communities. They lack basic services ters for people who were forced to flee and animals. We plan to initiate live- months of the year. Now, more than one BANGUI like education and healthcare. Many and constructed temporary shelters lihood and food security activities to in five CAR nationals are displaced. N’DÉLÉ of the displaced are separated from for returnees whose homes had been help people recover and meet their family members, are forcibly recruited destroyed during the conflict. We also basic needs. Additionally, we will start In 2016, the country was at the bottom to armed groups, or become victims of distributed mosquito nets, blankets, up educational activities such as reha- of the UN Human Development Index. sexual or economic exploitation. sleeping mats and tools for farming. We bilitating schools, training teachers and 48 per cent of the population faces distributed soap and cloth for filtering providing school materials so children food insecurity, eating only one meal Meanwhile, tensions between the host water, and trained hygiene promotors to can pursue their right to education. per day. International efforts in the population and the displaced people familiarise displaced people in the area country have been inconsistent, with with good hygiene In 2018, we will assess the needs and insufficient and ebbing aid. Only 37.5 and improve the quality of our help. In 2018, we plan to increase our emer- practices. possibilities for an expansion to the per cent of the Humanitarian Response The occupation of homes and proper- gency response capacity in areas east, north, and Adamawa regions of Plan was funded in 2017. ties must end in order to achieve long highly affected by the current crisis and Most people have Cameroon, where they currently host lasting solutions such as returns, recov- population movements. We will open a lost their civil the majority of the 237,000 refugees NRC’s operation ery and rehabilitation. Our teams spoke new sub-office in Nana Gribizi, where

onestopmap.com documentation who have arrived in the country from the Our teams provided catch-up education with communities and government our mobile teams will respond to emer- KOUSSERI during displace- Central African Republic. classes to children and trained teach- stakeholders about displaced people’s gency needs in the surrounding areas. ment and have ers. We expanded our food security access to housing, land and property had to restrict their and livelihood projects by arranging (HLP) rights. Because of our constant MAROUA movement due training sessions on agriculture and advocacy towards national and local to police check- by distributing tools and seeds. To authorities, we contributed to drafting points. Because improve living conditions we erected parts of a revised law protecting the Telethon Other of the vast amount and repaired houses. We rehabilitated HLP rights of displaced people. The NMFA NMFA UN 14% of people with- 3% community infrastructure, built schools, work of local authorities also reflected GAC out identity doc- constructed and repaired latrines and our recommendations; community SDC ECHO umentation, we ECHO provided clean drinking water. leaders in Carnot and Begoa forbid the Total 25% expenditure assisted in regis- Total To make recovery possible, our teams sale of displaced people’s property. DEVCO 12% tering cases and expenditure supported community dialogue and Additionally, we supported the expan- 11.8 m UNHCR (USD) in obtaining these Own 2.2 m dispute resolution. In Sibut, we trained sion of a formal ownership register in documents. 67 funds (USD) community members to conduct a dia- CAR. 62% SIDA UNICEF SIDA per cent of school- 10% logue between the local community 16% 12% aged children in and pastoralists. Negotiations lead to We studied civil documentation and the OFDA the region do not pastoralists’ access to the food market impact that not having a birth certificate possess birth cer- and no reported conflict incidents. In has on access to education. The study tificates. Lack of Kaga-bandoro, our teams facilitated found that internally displaced people NRC THE CENTRAL identity documents and returnees are unlikely to renew their YAOUNDÉ NRC CAMEROON community dialogues within and among AFRICAN REPUBLIC hamper their ability the Christian and Muslim communi- civil status documents and that birth to enjoy primary Established: 2017 ties, including humanitarian actors and certificates play a role in the continuity Established: 2014 education. Our armed groups. The dialogues identi- of education, but not in initial access. International staff: 5 International staff: 21 teams began help- fied a number of problems, such as the Based on these findings, we now work ing people obtain National staff: 38 need for a complaints mechanism for to assist the set-up of civil registration International staff: 271 necessary docu- People in need: 2.9 m NGO activities and a faster distribution centres and encourage the provision People in need: 2.2 m mentation so they People assisted: 15,517 of humanitarian aid. We have developed of civil documentation for children in People assisted: 199,564 can access basic an action plan to address these issues schools where we are present.

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partner of UNHCR we installed the solar panels, vocational Humanitarian overview mechanisms, assisting displaced enrolment in militia groups, we focused in all three camps. training courses progressed with mini- The population of the Democratic people with shelter, food, education, on providing education to those who Escalated dis- mal electricity supply and maintenance Republic of Congo has seen political clean water and adequate sanitation. were out of school through the distribu- placement from costs. instability, ethnic rivalry and violent con- We accomplished this in large part by tion of school kits, teacher training and

onestopmap.com Yemen, vio- flict for over 20 years. In 2017, the dis- utilising cash and voucher distribution rehabilitation of schools. lent protests in We continued to play an agenda-setting placement crisis continued to worsen, and in-kind fairs. Cash based pro- Ethiopia and more role in discussions about the protection with almost a million people forced gramming enabled us to provide more During 2017, our teams produced five drought-related of refugees. Our teams have spoken to flee, just in the first six months. By adequate assistance in the fastest way papers on humanitarian operations to people movements out on the importance for refugees’ the end of the year, DR Congo had possible, allowing a better response strengthen our position on humanitar- have led to a pop- right to work in Djibouti and thus truly more than 4 million internally displaced to sudden emergencies. We were one ian principles and define our humani- OBOCK ulation increase in welcome the Refugee Act of 2017. For people, making it one of the worst dis- of the first responders in Kasai Central tarian response. We shared the papers camps and settle- example, we published a report on the placement crises on the planet. province, thanks to flexible funding. with donors and partners such as ments for internally protection of refugees, where we urged Additionally, we expanded activi- UNHCR, and internally to support our displaced people. the government to allow refugees to In October, UN humanitarian agencies ties to the Greater Kasai region and advocacy work. With the evolution of We regularly share work and to obtain appropriate iden- declared certain areas of DR Congo a Tanganyika. our responses, these position papers DJIBOUTI CITY information with tification documents. Additionally, we Level 3 humanitarian emergency, which have been valuable in the design of our colleagues in participated in the CRRF steering com- is a designation reserved for only the With our expansion into new areas that the projects, especially in the area of Yemen and have mittee in Djibouti. We made efforts to most serious humanitarian crises in the were previously development focused, protection and community approach. plans in place, ensure that key stakeholders, such as world. The amount of people needing we adapted our approach to be more Additionally, a report from the Internal should the sit- the police, business registration person- humanitarian assistance increased by community-based. We consulted and Displacement Monitoring Centre high- ALI SABIEH uation further nel and employers, take into account 79 per cent throughout 2017. involved the local community in our lighted that the levels of displacement deteriorate. the local integration process. work. This has empowered vulnerable were on the same scale as those in NRC’s operation populations and host communities to Syria. Our public advocacy influenced We installed and In 2018, we will continue our work to The main challenges we faced in 2017 determine what is best for them. With the decision to declare DR Congo a rehabilitated water help displaced people in Djibouti find were the growing humanitarian needs this approach, we discovered that most Level 3 emergency. Humanitarian overview sources, collection points and pipe- lasting solutions by assisting youth in and the need to scale-up our response. people preferred cash to vouchers as Despite its relative peace and stabil- lines to ensure refugees receive enough accessing information about available In areas where we were already pres- cash enables them to purchase which- In addition, a range of activities was ity, Djibouti is surrounded by coun- clean water to drink and cook. Our jobs, access the documents required to ent, we managed to follow up on the ever items they need, when they require implemented to support vulnerable tries affected by conflict. In addition, teams constructed latrines and pro- run a business and provide cash grants most important humanitarian alerts and it. Our community-based approach populations and host communities. harsh climatic conditions and drought moted good hygiene practices includ- to start up new businesses. swiftly reacted to them. We improved built trust and acceptance and gave This response included education, food in the region have displaced people, ing waste management, hand washing, our ability to respond quickly to crises, us greater access to conflict-affected security and information counselling and pushed them across the border to safe water storage and the cleaning of by expanding our rapid response areas. Due to a high level of child and legal assistance. Djibouti. As of 2017, arid and resource- containers. scarce Djibouti was hosting about 27,000 refugees, while around 100,000 As crises progress in Ethiopia, Eritrea, people fleeing conflict and disaster Somalia and Yemen, refugees in Other have been moving through the coun- Djibouti need better housing for shel- UN DEVCO SDC NMFA try each year. High pressure on already ter. Using an improved design, we ECHO 21%

10% onestopmap.com NORAD weak social services has left an increas- constructed permanent shelters made UNICEF Total ing amount of people with limited of concrete bricks and iron sheet roof, BENI UNICEF expenditure access to livelihoods and basic services with two rooms so that children and Total 13% SIDA expenditure 17.7 m such as clean water and education. parents had their own space. Our 14% (USD) teams trained displaced people on 2.4 m GOMA ECHO In early 2017, the President signed shelter construction, allowing them to (USD) SIDA 30% BUKAVU 16% an act ensuring that all refugees have participate in the process and gain a UNHCR access to education, health services source of livelihood, as they get paid for UNHCR 60% and employment, just like any other their labour. Djiboutian. The refugee act is part of KINSHASA KANANGA the Comprehensive Refugee Response Throughout 2017, we piloted vocational NRC THE DEMOCRATIC Framework (CRRF) that the govern- skills training in Ali Addeh camp with NRC DJIBOUTI REPUBLIC OF CONGO ment committed to at the Leaders’ courses in computing, tailoring and Summit for Refugees in New York in beauty therapy. Since the camps are Established: 2013 Established: 2001 2016. located in remote villages with no elec- International staff: 2 International staff: 15 tricity supply, we installed solar panels NRC’s operation to provide electricity for trainings at the National staff: 32 National staff: 287 The majority of refugees in Djibouti live youth centre. We chose solar power People in need: 289,300 People in need: 7.3 m in one of three refugee camps: Markazi, over generators because of its environ- People assisted: 31,446 People assisted: 592,420 Ali Addeh and Holl-Holl. NRC is a major mental impact and its durability. After

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 26 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 27 STORIES FROM THE FIELD ERITREA

CHANGING LIVES WITH ONE SWIPE Humanitarian overview Decades of conflict, political isolation and severe drought have adversely affected Eritrea’s population and agri-

Distribution of electronic e-voucher cards in the Democratic Republic of Congo enables culture-based economy. The drought onestopmap.com that ravaged the Horn of Africa region displaced people to choose for themselves which food or household items they need. was, by the beginning of 2017, report- edly affecting half of the country. Almost all humanitarian indices rate KEREN As the mid-day sun appeared between the clouds, Kahanbu The family had received an e-voucher card from NRC with Eritrea poorly, and the country is placed Mastayabo unfolded an umbrella to protect her five-month- an allocated amount of USD 55. They used the money to as number 179 out of 188 countries ASMARA old daughter, tied to her back, from the scorching rays. buy soap, beans, palm oil, fruits, a mattress and a blanket. on the UN’s Human Development The young mother and her husband did their shopping at a Markets in the conflict-ridden North Kivu province are not Index. dusty, bustling market at the outskirts of Kanyabayonga, a normally this technologically advanced. Our emergency The country has a large and growing small town in eastern DR Congo. The couple stopped at a response teams assessed the situation of newly displaced population of uneducated and unem- small booth. families and later we set up a market place and allocated ployed youth. Despite the government’s electronic cards. investment in education, school enrol- “Let’s buy some of this oil,” Kahanbu Mastayabo suggested ment rates are still very low, mainly to her husband. “These e-vouchers have many advantages,” said Jose due to traditional taboos, school fees Kibasubwamo, one of several local traders with a palm oil and the cost barriers for low-income They agreed on five litres of palm oil and passed their stall at the market. “Compared to paper vouchers, the elec- families. electronic payment card to the trader, who swiped it on a tronic system is much more secure and precise, and by the scanner on the back of a smartphone. USD 3.79 was sub- end of the day it is easy and fast to calculate how much we Per 2017, the school enrolment rates for tracted from the card, and Kahanbu Mastayabo tapped her have sold and then sort our payment with NRC,” explained primary education was at 46 per cent The school attendance of boys is often the industry sector to boost economic for girls and 53 per cent for boys. Only prioritised over that of girls, and many growth. personal code on the screen to confirm the purchase. the trader with a big smile. 29 per cent of girls and 33 per cent of never finish school because they are boys attended secondary education. An expected to marry and become moth- In 2018, because many adolescents ever-growing number of young people ers. We had a special focus within our remain out of school, we will work to leave the country to escape poverty, programmes on including people in vul- reach even more youth with our edu- a mandatory national service and few nerable situations like young mothers, cational projects by expanding to new economic opportunities. youth living with disabilities, and girls. areas and scaling up our work in exist- As a result, over 80 per cent of our ing vocational training centres. The second largest group of people trainees are women. looking to migrate to Europe are of Eritrean origin. One in ten of all pro- In 2017, our teams trained teachers Photo: ChristianPhoto: Jepsen/NRC spective migrants to Europe are to provide vocational skills training in Eritrean. Some escape through dan- pottery, weaving, electrical installa- FCO 13% gerous migration routes and risk being tion, plumbing and irrigation skills. We GIZ SDC trafficked or tortured for ransom. Others equipped vocational training centres have transited neighbouring coun- with necessary machinery and tools. Total tries where they are hosted in refugee As many of our students were already expenditure camps. family breadwinners, we made sure they 1.1 m attended the training by offering condi- (USD) NRC’s operation tional stipends to compensate for the We implement our activities through the loss of income. Additionally, our teams NMFA Ministry of Education in Eritrea to help trained students in business manage- 86% out-of-school youth aged 15 to 24 who ment. After graduation, we provided are at risk of leaving the country through them with kits and a start-up grant to irregular migration routes. Most of them help them establish their own business. NRC ERITREA live in Eritrea’s lowlands and coastal Many of the graduates told us that they regions where many children and youth are now thinking more positively about Established: 2013 are unable to receive formal education how to make a livelihood. More youth International staff: 2 due to the vast distances separating are now eager to join our vocational them from the handful of schools in the skills training than were previously. National staff: 0 area. We help out-of-school youth to However, to really improve livelihood People in need: 60,864 1 find more diverse job opportunities and conditions in Eritrea, there is a need to People assisted: 1,824 Kahanbu Mastayabo (right) discusses the quality of dried fish with her sister (middle) and husband (left). reliable sources of income. develop the country’s infrastructure and

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Due to the high number of unaccom- Humanitarian overview could catch up with their peers. To traditionally male dominated courses panied Eritrean children in the refugee Kenya hosts 480,000 refugees in increase livelihood opportunities for such as mechanics and plumbing. SHIRE camps in Shire, our teams provided camps and urban areas, most having the youth, we provided vocational skills shelter and food, and employed social arrived from Somalia and South Sudan. training, including professional certifica- Without formal documentation, refu- gees face harassment, exploitation and onestopmap.com workers to take care of the children. However, it is becoming increasingly tion, in trades like mechanics, computer In 2017, we offered information, coun- difficult to seek refuge in the country. skills and carpentry. Graduates received detention. We provided information selling and legal assistance for ref- Displaced people report lengthy delays training and start-up packages to help and legal counselling to help displaced ugees residing in Addis Ababa. We in status determination and suspended them establish their own business as people access legal identity docu- ASSOSA provided information and advice on how registration or document renewal. well as mentorship and follow-up sup- ments like birth certificates, claim their JIJIGA to obtain vital events documentation, port. We launched an online marketing housing, land and property rights and ADDIS ABABA such as birth and marriage certificates. In the last two years, over 75,000 platform that refugees and host commu- access essential services. We reached GAMBELLA Our teams also assisted refugees in Somali refugees have returned to their nities use to sell their handmade prod- people through our legal aid centres or urban areas with accessing security of country of origin. The rate slowed in ucts. Local artisans have witnessed visited them in their homes. Additionally, tenure by giving information about ten- 2017 as a result of the drought and a increased demand and sales for their we published a report on the legal refu- ancy law and leases. In 2018, we plan cholera outbreak that struck Somalia. products after using this. Our teams gee framework in Kenya and the chal- to expand our legal services to other Those returning are in danger of join- collaborated with the University of lenges that refugees face in the urban areas of the country. ing the already high numbers of inter- Nairobi and the University of Trondheim areas. We found that refugees struggle DOLLO ADO nally displaced. Internal displacement to create entrepreneurship hubs in to register and renew their registration Although there were significant in Kenya is often overshadowed by the Kakuma, and developed online training due to lack of information, suspended improvements for the people reached refugee situation. Kenyans have also for displaced youth and the host pop- processes and delays in procedures. and engaged by our teams, it has been forced to flee due to droughts, ulation. Additionally, we worked with With other agencies, we engaged in been challenging to identify the spe- food insecurity, floods and ethnic social enterprises to offer displaced dialogue with government partners, Humanitarian overview aforementioned Somali region, as well cific interventions that have increased conflict. people online jobs such as web design, drawing attention to the need for a legal Surrounded by a region in conflict, as the Oromia region but faced compli- self-reliance for a substantial number data entry and translation. framework that supports and protects Ethiopia hosts the second most ref- cations due to periodic road inacces- of people. For refugees, freedom of NRC’s operation refugees and other displaced popula- ugees of any African country. As of sibility. In hard-to-reach areas, regular movement in and out of the camp is lim- In Dadaab and Kakuma, we distributed Responding to an increased demand tions and gives them access to early December 2017, the country hosted monitoring of activities is also not ited and they are not allowed to work. food and household items. We provided for vocational skills training, we and durable solutions. over 890,000 refugees, with more than always feasible. In the Somali region, where the major- clean water and latrines, and we distrib- expanded the youth training centres 100,000 new arrivals in 2017 alone. ity are internally displaced, physical uted soap and raised hygiene aware- in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab. Working with NRC Somalia, we pro- The main drivers of displacement for Our teams supported refugees with access, limited funds and uncertainty ness in schools and communities. We simultaneously equipped them vided Somali refugees with information refugees arriving in Ethiopia are the transitional and emergency shelter in about long-term solutions hampered Children and youth attended our accel- with ICT facilities and provided tab- about living conditions in their home continued tightening of the political and camps and surrounding host commu- our ability to offer long-term livelihood erated educational courses so they lets with content used for both teach- countries and the voluntary repatria- economic situation in Eritrea, and the nities. When constructing shelters, we interventions. ing and personal tion process, enabling them to make conflicts and adverse climatic condi- involved the people we were helping study. Our teams informed decisions regarding their tions in South Sudan and Somalia. as much as possible. In Gambella, we increased the potential return. gave cash in return for work such as access to edu- Meanwhile, climate change has taken mud-plastering and grass thatching of Own MANDERA cation for people Telethon KAKUMA Own funds its toll on Ethiopia. Consecutive roofs. funds with disabilities NMFA Other onestopmap.com Other 10% droughts in the past three years have NMFA by renovating WPF WPF 24% DEVCO caused severe food and water short- We also provided cash for the elderly, classrooms with UNICEF ECHO ages alongside the loss of livestock pregnant, and female-headed internally OCHA Total ramps, adapting SIDA Total 17% 11% 4% and crops. In 2017, many cases of displaced families, so they could buy expenditure learning meth- expenditure internal displacement caused by unrest cooking utensils, clothes and food. 17.1 m ods, using sign 13.2 m SIDA ECHO DFID occurred in the same areas affected by 9% (USD) 11% language teach- 17% (USD) drought. To create lasting solutions, we helped ers and comput- children access education and youth ers with inclusive DADAAB UNHCR UNHCR 35% NRC’s operation to improve self-reliance through live- 29% software such as When drought hit the Somali region lihood activities. We provided qual- Job Access with of Ethiopia, we assisted the affected ity education and catch-up classes, NAIROBI Speech. Female communities with emergency shel- trained teachers and distributed school NRC ETHIOPIA participation in NRC KENYA ters, clean water, and latrine construc- materials. Our teams set up vocational vocational skills tion. Additionally, we promoted good education courses, like hairdressing, Established: 2011 training increased Established: 2016 hygiene practices and distributed arti- carpentry, and business training that from less than five International staff: 12 International staff: 5 cles such as toothbrushes, soap and enabled students to start their own per cent in previ- sanitary towels. businesses after they graduated. We National staff: 254 ous years to 18.6 National staff: 198 trained displaced people on agricultural People in need: 5.6 m per cent in 2017, People in need: 3.4 m 2 We assisted populations in hard- production and distributed seeds and People assisted: 452,555 with more women People assisted: 399,439 to-reach areas, including the tools. participating in

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their immedi- they had lost the related documenta- Humanitarian overview ate needs and tion or when entitlements to land were Although Nigeria is Africa’s largest rebuild a safe contested. economy, a humanitarian crisis plagues and resilient large parts of the country. Violent DAMASAK future. The volatile situation has made it more attacks on civilians by the armed group onestopmap.com onestopmap.com difficult to monitor the conflict and Boko Haram have left 1.9 million people DIKWA Our teams access hard-to-reach areas. Together displaced within the country and, as of MAIDUGURI helped children with other organisations, we made December 2017, over 200,000 have access educa- action plans and met with authorities fled to neighbouring countries. The tion by provid- and UN agencies to initiate conflict res- humanitarian needs in the north-east ing catch-up olution and ensure security and basic are extremely high. While the country KIDAL classes, distrib- services. In 2017, we were the technical has managed to avert famine for now, uting textbooks lead in ECHO’s rapid response mech- close to half a million children suffer ABUJA and pencils, anism. Our teams reinforced the coor- from acute malnutrition. An estimated TIMBUKTU GAO MENAKA training teachers dination between different emergency 75 per cent of water and sanitation and rehabilitat- actors through workshops, trainings infrastructure has been destroyed, lead- MOPTI ing classrooms and the development of a common ing to a surge in water-borne diseases and latrines methodology to improve our emergency like cholera. in school. We assistance and increase access to con- BAMAKO BURKINA FASO also estab- flict affected areas. In 2017, there was an increase in the lished school rate of return by internally displaced management Burkina Faso people and refugees coming back from committees to Through our Burkina Faso programme, Cameroon and Niger. From January strengthen com- we provided shelter to Malian refugees to June, close to 135,000 Nigerians We published a report on returns in and authorities to better adjust and munity involve- and worked to ensure that children returned and were faced with inse- Borno State revealing that 86 per cent target our assistance to the needs of ment. These did not miss out on their education. curity and lack of food, shelter, and of displaced families were not ready people forced to flee and to access Humanitarian overview committees spread awareness about However, with decreased funding allo- livelihoods. to go back home, citing insecurity as more hard-to-reach areas. As half of the In 2012, when radical groups took the right to education for every child, cated to the refugee crisis in Burkina the main reason. Following the report, children in Nigeria do not attend school, control of Mali’s northern regions, and encouraged parents who had taken Faso, we closed our mission in the NRC’s operation UNHCR and the Nigerian Government our teams will begin educational activ- more than half a million Malians were their children out of school to re-enrol country in March 2017, and handed the We established a rapid response team placed more focus on the issue of ities in 2018. We will also establish a displaced from their homes. Roughly them. work over to other INGOs and NGOs. to meet immediate needs arising from forced returns. With premature returns radio programme on issues affecting 150,000 people escaped to neigh- We continue our humanitarian efforts displacement and refugee returns. and secondary displacement, our teams displaced people and offer them the bouring countries, and hundreds of We distributed food, vouchers and cash in Mali and will return to Burkina Faso if The team provided food, shelter, and noted an increase in disputes over opportunity to be part of finding solu- thousands were displaced inside Mali. in northern areas where people did not the humanitarian context changes. hygiene products to the most vulnera- housing, land and property because of tions to their problems. Since then, the Malian government and have enough to eat. Our teams also ble as soon as possible, following their secondary occupancy. We organised the two major armed coalitions have began helping people to earn a living displacement. In August, the Borno dialogues with local leaders in Borno signed a peace agreement. Authorities through community gardens and the Telethon State Government declared a chol- State to discuss land issues and find Telethon Own funds GAC have gradually returned to the north, provision of loans and village savings. Other era outbreak in parts of the state. We better ways to handle disputes. To NMFA SDC providing basic state services in the So far, we have received positive feed- DEVCO 21% helped mitigate the spread of the dis- prevent forced evictions and second- DEVCO NMFA 27% largest towns. However, the central back from the people to whom we gave WPF ease by providing clean water, sani- ary displacement, we made sure dis- OCHA regions are on the brink of collaps- cash assistance. They appreciated the Total tation facilities and the disinfection of placed people had tenancy agreements Total expenditure expenditure ing into insecurity and potentially full transparency and clarity, in addition to UNICEF latrines. Our efforts also included home and helped resolve disagreements conflict. the freedom associated with an inde- 6.9 m visits to talk about good hygiene prac- between tenants and landlords through OFDA 12.6 m 18% (USD) pendent choice. (USD) tices. The outbreak ended in December. discussions. To help people obtain ECHO Humanitarian needs are staggering SIDA identity documentation, we supported 13% 15% ECHO with 4.5 million people in need. In the In central and northern Mali, our legal 36% Many families have lost their homes the National Identity Management SIDA UNHCR first six months of 2017, 42,000 people teams helped displaced people acquire during the conflict and have been Commission and set up a mobile ID 14% DFID were newly displaced within Mali. Many civil documentation like ID cards and forced to live in self-made shelters, registration centre in one of the biggest remote areas still lack services like birth certificates and informed them of in abandoned buildings or communal formal camps in Maiduguri. healthcare and education. As of January their rights and duties. Thanks to joint NRC MALI facilities like schools. Our teams trained NRC NIGERIA 2018, nearly 4.1 million Malians needed advocacy with other actors, the elec- local communities in shelter construc- Last year, as one of the first INGOs, food assistance and almost 190,000 toral card, which is free of charge and Established: 2013 tion, so they could build and maintain we expanded our areas of operation to Established: 2015 children couldn’t go to school. open-ended, now has the same legal their own shelters. We also provided Dikwa and Damasak in Borno State. International staff: 8 International staff: 14 value as the national identity card. This vouchers to help vulnerable families Our successful negotiations with NRC’s operation will make it easier for people to access National staff: 105 meet immediate food needs and gave authorities to gain access permitted us National staff: 207 NRC supports displaced people with civil documentation. Additionally, we People in need: 3.7 m agriculture trainings to families for to respond to the large influx of inter- People in need: 8.5 m education, shelter, food security and assisted people in claiming their hous- People assisted: 253,501 growing their own food and increasing nally displaced. We will increase our People assisted: 149,960 legal assistance to help them overcome ing, land and property rights when their resilience. collaboration with local communities

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Mobile phone- with UN-Habitat to design four different Humanitarian overview based cash trans- prototype shelters for various contexts, The humanitarian situation in South fers is a preferred while involving all stakeholders, includ- Sudan continues to deteriorate. At the BOSASO way of assisting ing the people we help, at every stage. conclusion of 2017, over two million ERIGAVO

onestopmap.com displaced people people had crossed the border into onestopmap.com HARGEISA for use in func- The presence of Al Shabaab continued neighbouring countries like Uganda, tioning markets. to undermine our ability to access some Kenya and Ethiopia, while 1.9 million GAROWE Using cash trans- rural areas, due to insecurity and illegal people were displaced within South fers minimised taxations. To help people in hard-to- Sudan. GALKAYO security risks, reach areas, we both collaborated with AWEIL ALEK reduced costs local organisations and established our Due to drought, conflict, economic col- LEER AKOBO and improved effi- presence in adjacent districts where lapse and lack of humanitarian assis- DUK ciency. Our teams people can easily register for assis- tance, localised famine was declared supported mobile tance before returning to their compro- in February 2017. By May, coordinated BOR cash transfers mised districts. humanitarian action had eased the food MINGKAMAN DOLOW to people who crisis, though the situation remains BAIDOA periodically send We helped displaced people find last- critical. According to estimates, 48 per JUBA money to their ing solutions, either when returning to cent of the total population will not have MOGADISHU relatives in inac- areas of origin or in current locations enough to eat in 2018. Employment DHOBLEY cessible locations, of displacement. Our teams provided opportunities are limited and extreme thus reaching information to people wanting to go poverty has increased to 67 per cent. areas that we oth- back, enabling them to make a well-in- Additionally, the prospects for peace in with over 70 per cent of children not protection with the UN during time of erwise could not formed decision. Upon their return, we South Sudan are low, with no success receiving an education and over one crisis. The report advised how aid work- KISMAYO have reached with gave counselling and legal assistance in implementing the peace accords third of all schools in a damaged state. ers and peacekeepers can co-exist, in-kind support. about housing, land and property rights agreed in 2015. Our teams constructed temporary learn- how rules should be set up to manage Additionally, after to protect people from evictions and ing spaces and held catch-up classes. criminality and security issues, to pre- people register allowing them to rebuild their future NRC’s operation School attendance can keep children vent flow of arms into sites and how Humanitarian overview to receive mobile cash transfers, they while remaining on their land. We responded rapidly to the drought from joining armed groups and offers an to ensure families are eventually able Somalia remains mired in one of the can go back to hard-to-reach areas and and famine by distributing food, clean opportunity to raise awareness about to leave and return home. It resulted in worst humanitarian crises in the world. continue receiving money there. Our water, shelter and education. Over landmines and good hygiene practices. our organisation meeting the Under- As of 2017, over 1.1 million Somalis cash support upheld the confidential- half of our assistance was delivered Students also received one meal a day Secretary-General for Peacekeeping continue to be internally displaced, ity of the people we assisted and gave through food distributions. We trained to improve school retention and reduce Operations to discuss how peacekeep- while over 1.2 million are refugees in them flexibility to meet their needs. youth about agricultural production malnutrition. ers and humanitarians can improve the Horn of Africa and Yemen. More and helped them establish small busi- the protection of civilian sites in South than 40 per cent of the population need To prevent displaced communities from nesses. Eighty per cent of the partic- Although women have formal rights Sudan. humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, a becoming dependent on our support, ipants we talked to reported that the to land in South Sudan, customary growing number of Somali refugees are we helped out-of-school children catch support made their businesses more law often prevents them from inherit- DEVCO NMFA Telethon returning to Somalia from other coun- up with their peers through our acceler- effective in terms of the number of ing land after a divorce or as widows. Other UNICEF 9% tries in the region. According to esti- ated educational programmes, offered customers and the book keeping skills. We continued our work to help women Other OCHA UN NMFA mates, more than 100,000 refugees vocational training for youth and worked Within five days of receiving an emer- overcome the barriers to own land. We 25% SIDA Total have returned since 2014. to build resilience among the displaced 4% ECHO gency alert, our rapid response team made sure women were represented Total expenditure 23% population. We supported a community delivered materials like plastic sheets in the land administration council and expenditure Extreme drought has displaced about project constructing solar energy pump- 50.4 m and ropes for displaced people to trained women to collaborate in resolv- WPF 22% 15.9 m (USD) ECHO 766,000 individuals in Somalia since ing systems that provide clean water for build shelters with instructions from our ing disputes. In Bor, a group of women (USD) November 2016. Although the relief drinking and crop production. We also UNHCR engineers. that we trained played an important role DFID 10% SDC response to drought in 2017 has, in supported an initiative to clear invasive 36% in advocating for vulnerable women SIDA NORADUNICEF 11% part, diminished the likelihood of a agricultural weeds in an effort to expand Because of a cholera outbreak, with facing forced eviction. Our teams gave 11% OFDA famine, drought continued to expand in the arable acreage. Together with solar more than 11,000 cases since 2016, legal assistance in cases of housing, the north of the country at the end of driven irrigation systems, this contrib- we drilled borehole wells to provide land and property rights using domestic the year. uted to improved social cohesion and NRC SOMALIA clean water, distributed hygiene kits and international legal frameworks. We NRC SOUTH SUDAN increased food access throughout the and promoted good hygiene activities. distributed posters, leaflets and held NRC’s operation year. Established: 2004 As of January 2018, there had been no presentations. As a result, more women Established: 2011 When emerging drought and pre-famine active cholera transmission in any of the were able to claim their land rights International staff: 22 International staff: 42 status affected Somalia, we provided life- Over the years, we have provided areas where the disease was confirmed based on the formal national law. saving help such as food, clean water numerous shelter models, ranging from National staff: 240 in 2017. National staff: 231 and shelter to people forced to flee. We low-cost transitional shelters to perma- People in need: 5 m We launched a report on the pro- People in need: 6.1 m made cash transfers to families for the nent shelters that can last beyond 30 People assisted: 791,219 Globally, South Sudan has the highest tection of civilian sites, a situation in People assisted: 647,722 purchase of food and household goods. years. In Kismayo, we are collaborating proportion of out-of-school children, which internally displaced people seek

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 34 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 35 TANZANIA UGANDA

Humanitarian overview end of 2017, over 13,000 Burundians and promoted good hygiene practices environment by of suitable grass in refugee hosting Political instability and violence in had returned. Meanwhile, the influx through clean-up campaigns. constructing sep- areas. We also provided moulds to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congolese asylum seekers has arate sanitation make mud blocks instead of using clay of Congo (DRC) have forced more increased since July, and is expected to Towards the end of 2017, we piloted a facilities for boys for latrine construction. than 350,000 people to seek pro- continue in 2018. community driven shelter project. We and girls, upgrad- YUMBE onestopmap.com tection in neighbouring Tanzania. The began involving the people we were ADJUMANI ing classroom In Kampala, we helped displaced majority reside in the country’s three NRC’s operation helping in the construction of shelters ARUA structures and people register as refugees and access refugee camps: Nyarugusu, Mtendeli After civil war broke out in Burundi, to create a sense of ownership and training teach- identity documents like birth certifi- and Nduta. All three camps are over- NRC started operations in Tanzania to reduce costs and time. Our teams ers. The attend- cates. Our teams gave legal counsel- crowded, and many refugees and to support displaced people living in provided materials and technical super- ance rate in some ling and assisted people to claim their asylum seekers are forced to stay in Mtendeli and Nduta refugee camps vision, while the communities exe- schools rose from housing, land and property rights. We mass shelters where they lack privacy with interventions that included shel- cuted the construction themselves. The 42 per cent to 80 informed refugees about living condi- and basic facilities. Residents are not ter, sanitation and education. Upon our project will be evaluated after the first per cent. tions in their home countries, enabling allowed to move outside the camps. registration in Tanzania, we worked in phase is completed in 2018. them to make informed decisions about The risk of disease and abuse is high close collaboration with other humani- Since 2014, we potential return. KAMPALA and vital resources, like firewood for tarian actors to provide water extension Overcrowding in camps makes it diffi- have offered an cooking and water, are scarce. Still, the pipes, build family latrines and distribute cult to meet the breadth of needs. The accelerated edu- Uganda’s friendly refugee policy authorities have been reluctant to open sanitation articles in camps. Our teams Burundian influx at the end of 2016 cation programme allowed us to better link our humani- new camps. provided tents and transitional shelters. and beginning of 2017 meant expand- (AEP), so children tarian, recovery and development work We constructed emergency shelters ing an existing camp, which was done who have missed and facilitated a closer cooperation In the first three months of 2017, in the new extension of Nduta camp, instead of providing viable land for addi- the chance to with the government on improving ser- we saw an increase in the number which received new arrivals. We also tional camps. Moreover, there was not enrol in school vices for both host communities and of Burundians seeking protection in constructed a school and a youth edu- enough funding to provide basic ser- can catch up. In refugees. With the increased influx Tanzania. However, the number of new cation centre. Additionally, we trained vices for people living in the extended 2017, we pub- of refugees, our teams will expand to arrivals slowed significantly after the teachers and we played a key role in part of the camp. In 2018, we will lished a position south-west and western Uganda. We Government of Tanzania withdrew the the Joint Education Needs Assessment continue to increase awareness about Humanitarian overview paper outlining our challenges, such as will focus on providing life-saving assis- initial refugee status, which granted (JENA), which was conducted in the the Burundian and Congolese refu- Uganda is the largest refugee-hosting the need for a wider recognition of AEP tance, but also assist people to become all Burundian asylum seekers refu- three camps by the end of 2017. The gee situations in Tanzania and urge the country on the African continent. By as a resource in Uganda. In consor- self-sufficient in Uganda or learn skills gee status upon arrival in Tanzania. findings from the JENA will be pub- Tanzanian government to allocate viable the end of 2017, the refugee popula- tium with Save the Children, we work that will be essential upon their return. In a tripartite meeting in August, lished in March 2018. land for new refugee camps. tion in Uganda was estimated at 1.3 with government institutions to revise the Government of Tanzania, the million, with over 80 per cent of them the AEP curriculum and create a har- Government of Burundi and UNHCR In May 2017, we took over as the lead women and children. More than one mil- monised approach across all partners. agreed that they would support vol- agency for camp management and lion have fled from South Sudan, over Additionally, our teams trained teachers untary returns of Burundians. By the water, sanitation and hygiene promotion 240,000 from the Democratic Republic and raised awareness in the community in Nyarugusu of Congo and the remainder coming on the need for education. Camp, which from Burundi and Somalia. Telethon hosts over We expanded our work to the refugee Own funds 150,000 ref- Uganda has unique laws and regula- settlements of Imvepi and Omugo in the NORAD ugees. Our tions that promote the safety and well- West Nile, installing water and sanita- UNICEF NMFA Own SIDA 23% funds onestopmap.com teams upgraded being of refugees. They receive plots of tion facilities, offering education and 9% 28% NMFA the existing Total 32% land to build houses and grow crops. constructing semi-permanent shelters, Total expenditure KIBONDO water supply expenditure They have the right to free movement classrooms and latrines. Our teams chain to provide and work, to establish businesses and provided vocational training to youth, 9.2 m ECHO SIDA 4.4 m 10% camp residents 5% (USD) to access health care and education. including classes on literacy, numeracy (USD) with safe water. DFID However, the large number of refugees and skills such as cooking, sewing and We constructed puts pressure on the state’s infrastruc- agricultural know-how. UNHCR latrines, hand- UNHCR ture and the surrounding environment. 47% 34% DAR ES SALAAM washing facili- As the land currently assigned to ref- ties and waste NRC’s operation ugee families is not sufficient to pro- management NRC TANZANIA As one of few organisations address- duce enough food, we pooled together NRC UGANDA protocols. ing the needs of children and youth in groups of refugees and host commu- Established: 2016 the West Nile region, we have worked nities who were willing to share land, Established: 1997 Additionally, to improve attendance rates in schools, while improving food production and International staff: 3 International staff: 5 we distributed especially among girls. We educated living in peaceful co-existence. At the blankets, mos- National staff: 91 girls about menstruation issues and same time, we reduced the negative National staff: 85 quito nets, People in need: 316,641 3 distributed sanitary towels to encour- impact on the environment. For exam- People in need: 1,398,991 4 kitchen uten- People assisted: 23,915 age them to attend school during their ple, we used iron sheets for roofing People assisted: 130,072 sils, hygiene kits menstruation. We improved the learning instead of grass, as there is a shortage

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 36 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 37 YEMEN STORIES FROM THE FIELD

the authorities were reluctant to allow THE CARNAGE IN YEMEN MUST END access to the cholera-affected com- munities. Much later, as the epidemic evolved, we were allowed to enter, but access to communities remained onestopmap.com Our organisation condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the killing of civilians in highly regulated. To prevent disease, our teams provided clean water, airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in Yemen’s largest city, Sana’a, in August 2017. water-pumping equipment and latrines.

HAJJAH We distributed chlorine-based water Ali Mansour lost his brother, sister-in-law and five nieces During 2017, we spoke out about the humanitarian deterio- AMRAN treatment tablets, hygiene kits and pro- when heavy airstrikes hit Sana’a, Yemen’s largest city. He ration in Yemen, and we condemned all attacks on civilians SANA’A moted good hygiene practices in col- was on the phone with his brother during the attacks and and the blockade of crucial aid. Our advocacy work in- HODEIDA laboration with community volunteers. was disconnected. Following the fifth strike, Ali drove to creased international attention and scrutiny, prompting more To respond more rapidly to the next check on his brother’s family and found their home de- public statements and more international media interest. We cholera outbreak and other emergen- TAIZZ stroyed. “I was searching in the rubble for more than 14 also saw a slight shift in donor rhetoric and small conces- cies, we will negotiate with the author- LAHJ hours before we found my brother’s body,” he said. sions on imports through Hodeida Port. ADEN ities for expanded access and work to increase our flexible funding as this ena- bles a faster response to unforeseen “Among those killed in last night’s airstrike are children and When the attacks happened in August, we sent an open challenges. elderly people with no interest or role in this war,” Suze van letter to the UN, US and UK expressing grave concern Meegen, our Protection and Advocacy Advisor in Yemen, about the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen. In Humanitarian overview live in dire conditions in open spaces, With more than 1,800 schools dam- explained. the letter, NRC’s Secretary General Jan Egeland called for Yemen is currently one of the world’s public buildings or congested situ- aged or destroyed in Yemen, our edu- immediate action: “In Yemen, we see a senseless internal largest humanitarian crises. Entering ations with relatives or friends. We cation programme aimed to ensure that “Influential governments can stop this carnage immediate- conflict fuelled by regional powers, and aggravated by 2017, two million Yemenis remained supported vulnerable families to estab- children keep going to school. We reha- ly, but what they’re doing instead is fuelling the fire that is blockades and sanctions that are causing the collapse of a displaced from their homes, while 18.8 lish secure, dignified places to live by bilitated and constructed classrooms, destroying an entire nation.” whole society.” million were in need of humanitarian aid giving cash grants to rent appropriate trained teachers, distributed school due to the conflict and economic crisis. accommodation. materials and provided sanitary kits to girls. In 2017, we expanded our educa- In November, the Saudi Arabia-led We provided people with food, vouch- tion activities to reach conflict-affected military coalition closed the ports in ers, cash and larger grants to re-estab- communities in the Lahj and Hodeida Hodeida, purportedly to stop weapons lish livelihoods, helping them to cover governorates and we hope to expand from reaching the Houthis, which the basic needs and reducing the risk of these programmes further in 2018. coalition has been fighting since 2015. exploitation. Our teams gave monthly Shipments of food, fuel and medicines cash grants, allowing families to choose were blocked. Meanwhile, the 2015 what type of food they would eat. closure of Sana’a’s international airport However, the needs are huge and ever Telethon Mohammed/NRC Nuha Photo: GAC has left Yemenis stranded. Millions are growing. Cash transfers should run for WFP food insecure and lack clean drinking a minimum of six months. SDC NMFA water. A whole generation of either illit- DEVCO 26% erate or poorly educated Yemenis is on As our resources were limited, we Total expenditure the horizon, eroding the prospects for were only able to provide cash grants OCHA peace in the country. over a period of three to five months. 20% 17.2 m ECHO Additionally, dramatic inflation in the (USD) NRC’s operation latter half of 2017 threatened the stabil- DFID Damaged infrastructure, a crumbling ity of markets required for food vouch- SIDA 12% economy and bureaucratic constraints ers. We responded to the inflation by 20% continued to intensify the crisis and raising the value of our cash assistance make it a challenge for humanitarian and working with local food suppliers to organisations, including our own, to change contracts according to market NRC YEMEN reach out to people with lifesaving aid. prices. We have, however, been one of the Established: 2012 most vocal actors regarding the lifting Lack of clean water, inadequate sani- International staff: 14 of the blockade and our efforts contrib- tation facilities and poor hygiene prac- uted to increased international atten- tices contributed to a high incidence National staff: 111 tion. Yemen’s no-camp policy leaves of epidemic disease through the year. People in need: 18.8 m displaced communities dispersed and A cholera outbreak claimed the lives People assisted: 762,531 sometimes difficult to identify. Many of 2,200 people. Despite the urgency, Ali lost his brother, sister-in-law and five nieces during heavy airstrikes on a residential area of Sana’a in August 2017.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 38 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 39 onestopmap.com Political turmoil, conflict and violence continued to displace people and leaving AMERICAS millions in need of humanitarian aid and protection.

Despite the peace agreement in Colombia and a Haiti new phase of return and re-integration, violence in the Americas continued to force people to flee, and humanitarian needs remained. In Venezuela, Dominica rising general violence and malnutrition have dis- Honduras placed an estimated 1.5 million Venezuelans and is increasingly affecting it’s neighbouring coun- tries. The deteriorating situations in El Salvador, Costa Rica Guatemala and Honduras, also known as the Panama Venezuela Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA), Delegado/NRC Karina Ana Photo: persists, with massive criminal gang violence. However, the humanitarian needs in Colombia Colombia and the NTCA region are not sufficiently acknowl- edged, either financially or politically, by donors and humanitarian agencies, who either pull out too soon or, as in NTCA, do not recognise the humani- Ecuador tarian needs.

We are increasing our activities in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela and the NTCA, responding to both emergency needs, return and Peru re-integration. Our teams raise awareness about the humanitarian suffering resulting from gener- alised violence and will continue to advocate for For many displaced Colombians, there’s not enough room for them at increased funding and respect for rights. local schools. NRC improves school facilities and support education.

Main activities:

PANAMA Own funds ECUADOR Others VENEZUELA HONDURAS

NMFA Total 36% People GAC expenditure 10% assisted FCO 12.1 SDC 87,494 MILLION USD NORAD 6% DEVCO ECHO UNHCR COLOMBIA BPRM OCHA 15% UNICEF

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 40 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 41 COLOMBIA STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Humanitarian overview groups, we THE PEOPLE THE PEACE FORGOT In the year after Colombia ratified the worked in areas peace agreement with the former guer- that we had not rilla movement the Revolutionary Armed been able to Forces of Colombia (FARC), violence reach earlier. “We are afraid, because if they can kill one of our leaders, they can still forced people to leave their homes. Over seven million people have been Our teams pro- CIUDAD DE VENEZUELA easily kill one of us,” said Anancio Roja. displaced, and in 2017, armed con- vided acceler- PANAMÁ flict and the activities of illegal groups ated education SAN CRISTOBAL caused more than 139,000 people to former FARC In October 2017, Anancio Roja fled with his wife and chil- “This is the second time we flee. Both times we have come to flee. Rights defenders, indigenous soldiers and out- dren from their home to the village of Catrú in Colombia’s here, where we have friends and relatives,” Roja explained. people and Afro-Colombian leaders of-school chil- Chocó region. The 33 year old is part of the indigenous He does not know for how long they will have to stay. faced threats, killings and violence, dren and youth. BOGOTA amounting to over 70 per cent of the We regularly met group called Embera. His people have lived in this area for displaced people in 2017. with community generations. Over the years, however, they have been dis- “That is a collective decision for the community to make,” he members, victims placed several times. They fled once again, when an armed said. In the shadow of the peace agreement of the conflict group killed one of their community leaders. between FARC and the Government and local lead- “The government must protect us and let us know what will of Colombia, other armed groups are ers to ensure Although Colombia reached a milestone with the 2016 happen to us. We want justice.” competing for control over natural our impartial and peace agreement between the Government and the FARC resources and drug trafficking routes in neutral position QUITO armed group, conflict has continued, or even intensified in NRC helps displaced Colombians rebuild their lives and regions previously controlled by FARC. in supporting ECUADOR some areas, since FARC laid down its arms. Many groups speaks up for their rights. To include other armed groups in the the implemen- wish to control these areas because of their natural resourc- peace process, the Government of tation of peace es and drug trafficking routes. Colombia and the National Liberation agreements. Army (ELN) initiated peace dialogues We provided and reached an agreement on a tem- alternative and onestopmap.com porary bilateral ceasefire in 2017. flexible models However, with the expiration of the to help displaced children complete assisted Colombians who transited ceasefire in January 2018, and the their education and to support youth the border, in addition to recently dis- attacks that followed, it is unlikely that find safe work opportunities. We built placed Venezuelans. We provided cash this dialogue will resume anytime soon. temporary classrooms, trained teach- to meet their basic needs and legal ers and distributed learning materials. assistance to help people gain refugee The rapid deterioration of the political We spoke up about the importance of status and property documentation. and economic situation in Venezuela a rural and ethnic educational model to caused increased displacement flow achieve peace. Our recommendations into Colombia, where an estimated were included in the National Education Telethon Diaz/NRC Delgado Karina Ana Photo: 600,000 Venezuelans have entered Ministry’s Special Plan for Rural Own funds since 2014. Education, aiming to reduce the gap Other between urban and rural education. NMFA Total NRC’s operation GAC 36% We have focused on rebuilding the By law, displaced people in Colombia 10% expenditure lives of people displaced long-term and have the right to recover the land and FCO 11.1 m SDC victims of the conflict. We collaborated homes they lost due to the armed con- (USD) NORAD with these communities, allowing them flict. Our teams helped victims of forced 6% ECHO to define their needs and decide how to eviction to access land and housing DEVCO UNHCR best assist them. Additionally, we con- by obtaining legal documentation. We BPRM OCHA 15% UNICEF tinued to help newly displaced people. visited communities and individuals to When massive internal displacement inform them on how to access social occurred throughout the year in the programmes and how to limit risks of NRC COLOMBIA Pacific area, our emergency teams dis- being evicted. To create lasting change, tributed food and temporary shelters. we assisted and trained public officials Established: 2005 in local and national institutions respon- International staff: 3 We helped more people who faced sible for ensuring the rights of dis- restricted mobility due to ongoing placed people. National staff: 186 armed conflict in their areas. After People in need: 4.9 m 5 receiving permission from local com- Our regional refugee programme People assisted: 72,038 munities and admittance from armed in Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador Anancio Roja and his wife Melida Isabaré, fled after one of their community’s leaders was killed.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 42 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 43 HONDURAS

Humanitarian overview Organised crime and gang violence has created a humanitarian crisis in Honduras. Many have fled after refus- Delgado/NRC Karina Ana Photo:

ing to sell their land to criminal groups onestopmap.com CHOLOMA or to keep their children safe from gang SAN PEDRO SULA recruitment and violence. The country’s 190,000 internally displaced people live in slums or informal shelters in big cities. They lack essential services, education and income opportunities. While the internal displacement takes TEGUCIGALPA place in a situation not formally recog- SAN SALVADOR nised as an armed conflict, the impact EL SALVADOR on the lives of those affected is no less devastating.

As the only country in the Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA) the government of Honduras recognises internal displacement. Because of vio- Over 48,000 Hondurans were deported inhabitants by the end of 2016, the lence and the government’s inability from the USA to Honduras in 2017. same rate as Afghanistan, Colombia to protect the population, many have We gave legal support to deported and Iraq. Our presence and expertise fled the country. 54,000 Hondurans, Hondurans about obtaining civil docu- as an organisation specialised in con- a record number, requested asylum mentation such as birth certificates and flict-driven displacement is therefore from January to June of 2017, most of national identity documents and how to vital. In 2018, we will expand our work them continuing north to Mexico and access social services offered by the on education and legal services in the United States, or to Costa Rica and state or UNHCR. Because the people Honduras, continue our work on edu- Panama. we assisted often needed help to cover cation in El Salvador and assess further their basic needs, we provided cash, expansion to Guatemala, Mexico and En route, those displaced are at risk which was used to rent safe accommo- Costa Rica. of being threatened, killed, tortured, dation, buy food or access healthcare. recruited and abused. Those who are Additionally, we supported Hondurans repatriated are subject to the same fleeing to Costa Rica and Panama with risks they faced upon their initial depar- legal advice on their housing, land and tures. The lack of protection upon return property rights. The support was pro- to Honduras forces many to leave the vided when the beneficiaries were in country again. Panama or when deported back to UNICEF Honduras. 15% NRC’s operation In Honduras’ most violent areas, an To create lasting change, we contin- UNHCR Total 10% NORAD average of one child per family is not ued our work to strengthen the govern- expenditure 36% going to school. We assisted many ment’s capacity to protect its citizens SDC 0,98 m of these out-of-school children re-en- by developing a legal framework. (USD) rol while working together with the Honduran authorities requested our Honduran Secretary of Education to knowledge and experience on working Other provide flexible education models and with the internally displaced. Our rec- Telethon assisting children to register for public ommendations about giving access to education. We set up study groups for legal identification procedures for dis- a duration of three to four months, pre- placed people and making school trans- NRC HONDURAS paring children to go back to school. fers take place quickly and efficiently, Our educational teams taught them were included in the Ombudsman Established: 2014 about personal safety, with subjects report. International staff: 1 about human rights, citizen participa- tion, conflict resolution and self-esteem. The NTCA is a neglected displace- National staff: 12 Around 66 per cent of the children who ment crisis. El Salvador, Honduras and People in need: 2.9 m 6 attended our educational courses have Guatemala had more than one forci- People assisted: 5,724 returned to school. bly displaced person per every ten Elsy Aleman is an NRC ICLA assistant working with people displaced from violence in Honduras.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 44 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 45 onestopmap.com Conflicts continued to cause massive displacements in the region. Afghans have ASIA sought refuge in neighbouring Iran and Pakistan, as well as Europe and within their own borders. Unrest in Myanmar led many to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh.

Along with other NGOs, we established an Afghan Displacement and Solutions Platform (ADSP), aiming to help displaced Afghans access their rights and meet their needs across Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. The ADSP will conduct research, promote policy changes and build capacity and coordination Mongolia among organisations and stakeholders. The platform

Kyrgyzstan aims to support transitional programmes that will Sadeghi/NRC Hamid Photo: pave the way for lasting solutions in the future.

Tajikistan We assisted displaced people in Myanmar insofar as we were allowed to enter conflict areas. In Bangladesh, the capacity of local organisations Afghanistan was overstretched after the influx of refugees from Iran Myanmar. We faced challenges in securing registration in Pakistan and Bangladesh, with our teams having sub- Pakistan mitted the needed documentation and follow up to Nepal complete the administrative process. Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, we provide some assistance in collabo- ration with partner organisations. Upon registration, A new school on the outskirts of Kerman, Iran has ten classrooms we plan to provide education in emergencies and that accommodate the rise in enroled undocumented Afghan Bangladesh schoolboys. camp management, two sectors with great needs. Myanmar

Main activities: Thailand

Telethon Own IRAN Others funds GIZ NMFA MYANMAR 23% SDC NORAD Total People DEVCO expenditure assisted

OCHA 35.8 735,670 MILLION USD

SIDA ECHO 12% 30% DFID AFGHANISTAN UNHCR

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 46 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 47 AFGHANISTAN IRAN

Humanitarian overview Humanitarian overview sure children Afghanistan has been in an active state For more than three decades, Iran has have access to of war since its revolution in 1978. hosted one of the largest and most safe drinking Over the past five years, the numbers long-term displaced populations in the water. Through of civilian deaths has climbed again, world. Out of the about three million the Ministry of onestopmap.com and Afghans fleeing their homes due MAZAR-I-SHARIF KUNDUZ Afghans living in Iran, less than 45 per Education, we to armed conflict has increased five- MAIMANA cent hold legal documentation. offered acceler- fold. In 2017, the UN reclassified ated education TEHRAN Afghanistan from ‘post-conflict’ to While the government allows registered programmes KABUL ‘active conflict’. JALALABAD refugees access to some public health for children services, they have limited opportuni- who needed a In Iran and Pakistan, generations of HERAT ties to produce a livelihood. Displaced catch up pro- Afghans have grown up in exile. Each KHOST Afghans in Iran face substantial chal- gramme to re-enter school. year, hundreds of thousands of Afghan lenges in obtaining and maintain- KERMAN refugees spontaneously go back or are ing their legal status, and their ability Our educational forced to return from these neighbour- KANDAHAR to access civil documentation such activities pro- ing countries. Seven out of ten Afghan as birth or marriage certificates and moted social refugees who return home are forced Afghan national IDs. cohesion for to flee again due to violence. More than both Afghan 1.5 million Afghans are internally dis- Natural disasters including earthquakes, and Iranian chil- placed. In addition to conflict, disasters onestopmap.com recurring floods, droughts and land- dren and their like earthquakes and floods force many slides frequently occur across the coun- parents. to flee. Conflict, potential risk of reprisal Our experts visited communities, held try. In November 2017, a 7.3 magnitude and bureaucratic impediments are the group trainings and provided individual In some areas, like Uruzgan, there are earthquake struck Kermanshah prov- Through a combination of courses in life to help confront the harsh winter con- largest barriers for our teams to reach counselling to help people claim and large pockets of displaced people with ince, leaving 270,000 people in urgent skills, literacy and numeracy for Afghan ditions. We also worked to upgrade the most vulnerable people. receive the ‘Tazkera’. With this docu- great needs. Through negotiations, we need of assistance. families, the parents, in particular, have schools and help restart education ment, they can open bank accounts, succeeded in reaching the population improved their skills and helped create activities in earthquake affected towns NRC’s operation apply for formal jobs, legally rent there, and our direct contact enables NRC’s operation a positive learning environment for and villages. In the aftermath of disaster and epi- accommodation and buy property. close monitoring of the quality of our NRC distributed unconditional cash to their children, while prioritising their sodes of violence, we gave emergency assistance. This is important given the vulnerable families and gave advice to education. assistance to internally displaced We advised people who have been limited number of actors providing sup- help them prioritise their most urgent Afghans and Pakistani refugees. We forced to flee about their housing, port in this area, complexity of the situ- needs. We provided legal counselling We assisted Afghans to learn voca- helped them recover sooner by prevent- land and property (HLP) rights. This ation and the fact that local capacities to people in their efforts to obtain work tional skills in different fields such as ing distress sales of their assets, avoid- was important, particularly for women, are over-stretched. permits and securing residency. Our tailoring, electrician courses and com- ing deep levels of debt or early child who face many barriers in owning and teams visited people in their homes puter skills, enabling those who com- marriage. inheriting property. We were the only and met them in administrative centres plete to earn an income both while organisation in Afghanistan to work Other to distribute bankcards and provide in displacement and upon their safe Our teams assisted displaced fami- for widespread acceptance of wom- GIZ guidance to family members. Most fam- returns. NORAD NMFA Other lies to find permanent shelter in places en’s HLP rights. We published a report 6% 19% ilies spent the money on meeting their NMFA 24% where the effects of long-term dis- finding that women spend most time DEVCO immediate and most critical needs. As The majority of Afghans in Iran live DEVCO BPRM placement have taken hold. We eased within shelters, but were not prop- Total co-chair of the Cash Working Group, outside of settlements and in urban SIDA Total OCHA expenditure 3% expenditure the barriers to obtaining legal identity erly consulted in the construction and we held training sessions with cash areas. This renders the most vulnerable UNHCR documents and helped clear the path maintenance process. As a result, we 22.6 m assistance experts aiming to develop populations hard-to-reach, and many 5.3 m for youth to acquire primary education. engaged more closely with women to (USD) the knowledge and skills of humanitar- cannot access timely information that (USD) Our teams trained teachers and offered obtain their views. We built an all-fe- SIDA ian organisations in Iran on this topic. is critical to meeting their needs. In 15% ECHO informal education to out-of-school chil- male shelter team to make sure women 36% 2017, we began to rehabilitate and con- DFID ECHO dren so they could catch up with their and children could access appropri- A decree granting all Afghan chil- struct three community centers. One 51% peers. Additionally, we helped people ate shelter with safe bedrooms and dren in Iran, regardless of their legal is already functional and the other two start or expand businesses and distrib- sanitation facilities. Our all-female status, access to education has led to will open in 2018. They will serve as uted cash so vulnerable families could shelter team helped homeless, dis- NRC AFGHANISTAN increased enrolment. Public schools, hubs for services that include education NRC IRAN buy their own food. We made sure placed widows and female-headed however, have limited capacity to courses, training for income generation, schools had safe drinking water and families living in the informal settle- Established: 2003 integrate this new group of students. as well as provision of information and Established: 2012 provided families with latrines. ments of Kabul. They reached con- To help more children go to school, counselling for Afghans. International staff: 22 International staff: 7 Thousands of people displaced by con- servative societies and served as role we rehabilitated and equipped class- flict in Afghanistan do not have access models showing that women can also National staff: 1,389 rooms, constructed one new school Following the earthquake in National staff: 52 to essential services, formal justice, be breadwinners. In 2018, we plan to People in need: 9.3 m and distributed educational materials Kermanshah province, our teams pro- People in need: 3.6 m 7 education or land because they lack the expand the all-female model to Herat People assisted: 382,739 such as books and science kits. Our vided tents, installed latrines and dis- People assisted: 54,076 national identity card called ‘Tazkera’. and Mazar. teams installed water purifiers to make tributed needs-based cash to families

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 48 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 49 STORIES FROM THE FIELD MYANMAR

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Humanitarian overview youth with additional protec- Internal conflicts led by ethnic groups tive skills. struggling for power have afflicted Myanmar since the country’s independ- In Rakhine State, decades ence. Armed clashes, chronic underde- of tensions have boiled Afghan schoolchildren and their Iranian peers onestopmap.com velopment and natural disasters have over and split Muslim and feel the excitement of a new school year. destroyed homes, livelihoods, health Buddhist communities. and education facilities. Muslim minorities have been BHAMO denied citizenship, many On September 23rd, which was the first day of autumn, “I know of others who haven’t been able to learn anything, The vast majority of internally displaced live in camps or have been LASHIO schoolgirls and boys throughout Iran began a new year of who haven’t been to school. They feel very sad.” people have extremely limited freedom forced to flee. Our teams studies. Over the past three years, Iranian public schools of movement in Myanmar, resulting in helped people both in have opened their doors to Afghan children without legal More than half of the world’s refugee population are school- dire conditions and inadequate access camps and in the surround- TAUNGGYI to health services, work and education. ing communities to decrease documentation, who would otherwise not have the right to aged children. They are five times more likely to be out of MAUGDAW By the same token, the international tensions. In camps, we attend school. school than non-refugee children. SITTWE LOIKAW humanitarian community has very lim- distributed shelters, educa- ited access to deliver assistance and tion kits and promoted good TAUNGOO Eleven-year-old Arezoo is enthusiastic and hopeful on the In Iran, most Afghan children have the advantage of speak- protection to them. hygiene practices. Outside first day of another school year. She lives in Dasht-e-Zah- ing, reading and writing the same language as their Iranian of camps, we rehabilitated matkeshan, a settlement in Kerman province in south-east classmates. Farsi, Iran’s official language, and Dari, the YANGON In August 2017, violence in Rakhine schools and worked on THATON Iran. This year she’ll be in the fifth grade and is excited to language spoken by the majority of Afghans, are very similar. State caused over 600,000 people issues of housing land and HPA AN reunite with her friends. In Kerman province, over 30,000 Afghan schoolchildren at- to flee across the borders into property to improve the tend class together with their Iranian classmates. To enable Bangladesh. The situation in north- relationships between dis- “Learning is better than anything in the world,” she said, more children to go to school, we have rehabilitated school ern Rakhine State remains perilous placed people and the host repeating several times how valuable studying is for her. buildings and classrooms, and provided sports equipment and uncertain for those who remained communities. DAWEI behind. and educational kits. We strove to meet the MYEIK NRC’s operation needs of populations that When fighting escalated in Kachin and were badly affected by natu- Shan States, resulting in the displace- ral disasters. When cyclone ment of thousands of people, our teams Mora reached Rakhine distributed temporary shelters, sleep- State, our teams helped ing mats, kitchen sets and solar lamps camps and host communi- while responding with emergency edu- ties to re-build infrastructure, provided cation activities to protect children. We kits for preparing clean drinking water Photo: Marjan Jesmi/NRC Marjan Photo: distributed e-vouchers to help more and distributed household items like displaced children and youth access clothes and stoves. Telethon education. E-vouchers enabled them to Own funds choose what necessary items to buy, Humanitarian access is a major prob- Other such as clothes, stationary and toilet- lem for all actors in Myanmar. Often, we ries, and to continue their education do not have a clear picture of people’s Total NMFA 34% despite the emergency. The e-vouchers needs, as the authorities restrict our expenditure SDC were extremely popular as it gave both movement and activity. For instance, 7.3 m a choice and dignity to the people we the international community was only NORAD (USD) helped. granted limited movement to conflict 5% ECHO areas when displacement escalated in DEVCO UNHCR UNICEF We continued our work with youth in northern Rakhine. In March, we were SIDA OCHA 8% southeast Myanmar. Through mobile able to establish a new office there, in training courses, we equipped them Maungdaw, as one of few organisations with life skills, as well as practical skills present. We collaborated with commu- NRC MYANMAR that are useful in the local market, such nities and local authorities to ramp up as food preparation and processing, tai- our operation and help more people in Established: 2008 loring and small machine maintenance. the region. However, with the violent International staff: 17 By identifying niches in the market, we events in August we had to reduce our can better match our training to fit the activities due to lack of access. We National staff: 313 realities on the ground. This enhances will scale up our activities, once again, People in need: 525,000 the chances of employment after when the authorities allow us to work in People assisted: 143,653 Second grade Afghan and Iranian schoolgirls sit side by side at Kowsar School, near Kerman city. courses are completed and provides the area.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 50 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 51 onestopmap.com Although people continued to seek refuge throughout the continent, European EUROPE governments took further steps to close their borders. Forced returns and detention were common. Incidents of xenophobia and discrimination continued to rise.

To stem this shift, our organisation took steps at the country and regional levels. Our report, The Reality of the EU-Turkey Statement, exposed the damaging impact European policies were having on vulnerable people by eroding protection for refugees. We advocated for more dignified recep- tion conditions in Greece and rented apartments to improve accommodation there. In Ukraine, our teams did advocacy and media work on the Gounaridou/NRC Maria Photo: loss of pensions and the need for compensa- tion for internally displaced people (IDPs) due to destroyed property. With severe restrictions on humanitarian access in non-governmental con- trolled areas, our support to those communities living close to the ‘contact line’ has been critical to their sustenance.

Our representation office in Brussels regularly met with representatives from the European Commission and other policy makers to advo- cate for the protection and support of refugees and the internally displaced. Advocacy served as a central tool in improving the quality of our help Sekou Kumara (right), 18, sits at the front of his English class in Thessaloniki, Greece as teacher Vassilis Papadopoulos looks on. and ensuring the rights of displaced people.

Main activities:

Ukraine

Bosnia-Hercegovina Kosovo Macedonia Albania Spain Greece Own funds Others NMFA GREECE UNHCR 13% DFID 9%

Total People expenditure assisted 19.2 65,563 MILLION USD

UKRAINE ECHO 71%

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 52 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 53 GREECE STORIES FROM THE FIELD

and clothes. In project with online learning using tab- ONCE A DROPOUT, NOW A TEACHER July, we ended our lets. This targeted young people aged activities on the 15 to 25, allowing them to continue island after fund- their education wherever they are and ing ceased and tailored to their individual needs. onestopmap.com The Syrian war has turned many lives upside down. THESSALONIKI the government took over. We We spoke up for a coordinated For Douaa Sakhnini, it has also reversed traditional gender roles. shifted our focus response to humanitarian needs, but to our response also the international community’s efforts in responsibility to ensure human rights At 18 years old, Douaa Sakhnini got married. At 19, she safer, somewhere where there is work.” Thessaloniki and and refugee protection. Our team pub- enrolled in university. At 20, she had her first child and urged the author- lished a report on the shortcomings of dropped out to become a full-time mother. She watched In Greece, Sakhnini’s experience teaching her daughters ities to house the EU-Turkey agreement, a so-called with envy as her friends graduated and got jobs. helped her find work with NRC. The job makes Sakhnini the asylum seekers temporary measure to stop irregular sole breadwinner for her family, teaching Arabic, maths, sci- CHIOS in apartments on migration to Europe. One of the main Then the Syrian war changed everything. Her five-year-old ence and art to as many as 18 children. Her husband, she ATHEN the mainland with findings was that refugees on the utility connections, Greek islands did not receive sufficient niece and two uncles were killed. She began teaching her says, is happy someone is working. And so is she. It is her rather than rap- legal counselling and assistance. daughters at home because going to school was too dan- first-ever job. Teaching the children has rekindled her own idly constructed, gerous. The source of her husband’s livelihood, a taxi, was goals and dreams. She would like to finish university. temporary facil- Additionally, we wrote a joint report destroyed by debris from a collapsing building. Then they ities. At the end concluding that youth lacked educa- lost their home. Among the students are Sakhnini’s daughters: nine-year-old of the year, the tion, healthcare and jobs. As a result, Tharwat and seven-year-old Sara. They live in a room with transfer of asylum we joined forces with other international At 27, she and her family fled Syria for Turkey and, after two beds, crowded with toys, games and drawings. Tharwat seekers from the NGOs to better understand gaps in the repeated attempts, made it to Greece. wants to be a doctor, a dream that Sakhnini didn’t have a Humanitarian overview islands to the mainland increased. We provision of services and design better chance to pursue. She’s hopeful for her daughters. In 2016, with border closures and the rented apartments to help vulnerable programmes for youth. “Anywhere is better than my country,” Sakhnini answered EU-Turkey statement, the number of refugee families obtain suitable hous- when asked where the family thought they would go when “They can be what they want to be because now, they are people entering Greece fell significantly, ing. As the overall situation changed We are an emergency focused organ- yet the following year approximately and the tenants did not proceed to isation and will, in 2018, cease activi- they left Syria. The only thing she wanted was “something free.” 50,000 people were still stranded in third-countries for resettlement, the ini- ties after a coordinated handover of key the country, with few opportunities for tially short-term solution became long- operations to other organisations secur- onward travel. In 2017, nearly 30,000 term. This enhanced the apparent need ing long-term assistance. people made the sea crossing to the to plan for and negotiate contingency Greek islands from Turkey. interventions.

On the islands, people have been Since the beginning of our operation, trapped in deplorable conditions and we have helped improve capacity and Own funds many have had only limited access coordination within the camps. Our Other to adequate asylum procedures. The teams established standard operat- Gounaridou/NRC Maria Photo: facilities for accommodating refugees ing procedures for camp activities and and asylum seekers on the islands are trained volunteer groups. To inform Total severely overcrowded. camp residents on available services, expenditure we held awareness campaigns and 13 m Refugee camps were opened in new focus group discussions. We upgraded (USD) locations, including the main urban cen- and maintained infrastructure like water tres of Athens and Thessaloniki. Many and sanitation facilities and prepared ECHO were originally industrial warehouses camps for the winter. 99% and unsuitable for habitation. By the end of the year, several of these camps Our staff helped refugees and migrants had been closed. integrate into Greek society. We NRC GREECE opened two information centres that NRC’s operation provide language classes and recrea- Established: 2015 In the first half of 2017, we assisted tional activities. Our education teams International staff: 3 Greek authorities on Chios with run- taught Greek, English and Arabic as ning accommodation sites. Our teams well as math, science and IT. National staff: 132 provided informal education and pre- People in need: 49,927 8 cooked meals to vulnerable people and As refugee youth are highly adept with People assisted: 6,919 Douaa Sakhnini with her daughter Sara. Sakhnini had to drop out of university when she became a mother, but as a refugee in Greece, distributed household items like diapers mobile technology, we also piloted a she has become the breadwinner for her family.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 54 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 55 UKRAINE

Humanitarian overview The armed conflict in eastern Ukraine has remained unresolved despite dip- lomatic efforts and numerous cease- Photo: AleksandrPhoto: Sheludenkov/NRC

fire agreements. Throughout 2017, onestopmap.com hostilities occurred regularly along the contact line where the government con- trolled areas (GCA) meet the non-gov- ernment controlled areas (NGCA). Over four million people have been affected KYIV by the conflict and almost 11,000 killed. SEVERODONETSK

Entering 2017, 1.65 million people were internally displaced. Many Ukrainians, especially those along the frontlines, are facing a lack of basic services. Employment is scarce, medical care is difficult to access, and many do not have adequate food, shelter or heating. Although freedom of movement remains a challenge, an estimated one million civilians travel between the GCA and the NGCA every month to access mar- kets, health care and social payments. They provided emergency shelters, business development grants to stimu- repaired community infrastructure, like late economic recovery. As a result, the hospitals and schools, and equipped local communities earned an additional NRC’s operation them with items such as water filters, income while providing better nutri- Our programmes enable vulnerable washbasins, water pumps and water tion for social institutions like hospitals, Ukrainians to cover their basic needs. heaters. They helped prepare civilians schools and kindergartens. But as displacement becomes pro- for the cold winter temperatures with We will continue to help conflict tracted, we have also begun to contrib- proper housing insulation and solid affected Ukrainians along the contact ute to long-lasting solutions. fuel for heating, as well as distributed line and work to expand our services for hygiene kits for the most vulnerable civilians in the non-government con- Our teams provided free legal assis- people living in frontline communities. trolled areas of eastern Ukraine. tance and counselling, helping to nav- igate access to civil documentation We provided cash to communities living such as birth certificates and resump- along the contact line, which they used Other tion of pensions and other social pay- to buy food and solid fuel for winter WFP ments. We operated three legal aid heating. Our teams also transferred centres, organised group information cash to conflict-affected families, allow- SIDA 8% sessions and offered legal counselling ing them to choose how to repair their Total NMFA through a telephone hotline and social damaged houses. Cash based interven- expenditure 41% media. We made home visits and dis- tions played a positive role in develop- 6.1 m patched mobile teams of lawyers along ment of local markets and restored the (USD) self-esteem of the people we helped. UNHCR the contact line and at the entrance/exit 28% checkpoints between GCA and NGCA. Cash transfers also shortened the ECHO Additionally, we conducted research response time and allowed us to pro- 11% and advocated on rights and entitle- vide efficient assistance that better ments of displaced civilians. For exam- addressed the needs of the people we ple, we helped thousands of people serve. NRC UKRAINE claim and receive their pensions and social benefits, which is their primary We supported Ukrainians’ self-reli- Established: 2014 source of income. ance and sustainable livelihoods. Our International staff: 8 teams provided cash for people to buy Our shelter teams strove to make sure tools, seeds and fertilisers. We rehabil- National staff: 106 that displaced Ukrainians had roofs itated agricultural infrastructure, such People in need: 3.8 m over their heads and that they had the as greenhouses and irrigation sys- People assisted: 53,960 basic household items they needed. tems. Additionally, we provided small Our livelihoods and food security team visiting a greenhouse in Valuiske, Ukraine.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 56 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 57 onestopmap.com Displacements in Syria and Iraq escalated, and the Israeli occupation of Palestine MIDDLE EAST continued, deepening the protracted refugee and IDP crises across the region. Forced returns increased, and of those who returned home, many lacked safety and basic services.

2017 was another year of violence in the Middle East, and both Syria and Iraq saw many spikes in conflict. In Palestine, moves to annex land and threats to demolish Palestinian structures in the West Bank accelerated. Our teams continued to deliver life-saving assistance in the form of food, shelter, water and sanitation to the most vulnerable displaced people in hard-to-reach areas ravaged by the Saifi/NRC Lian Photo: fighting. We further developed our partnerships with local organisations, enabling us to reach more people.

Simultaneously, we increased our effort to develop a regional approach to long-lasting solutions and established a regional unit for this purpose. The establishment of legal identity was identified as one of the greatest impediments to durable solutions to displacement as lack of civil docu- Turkey mentation prevents people from accessing basic services, such as healthcare and education. We responded to this by helping people obtain such documents.

Our advocacy regarding humanitarian access, safe returns Syria and durable solutions contributed to changes made in the Syrian Abdel Aziz and his brother Naser live in Azraq refugee Lebanon aid responses in the region, government and donor policies camp in Jordan. Iraq and at the UN Security Council. Palestine Jordan Main activities:

Own funds GIZ Others GAC SDC FCO NMFA SYRIA DEVCO 22% BPRM

KfW Total People expenditure assisted UNICEF LEBANON OCHA 184.1 ECHO 4,911,034 17% MILLION USD IRAQ OFDA PALESTINE

SIDA JORDAN 5% UNHCR DFID 14%

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 58 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 59 IRAQ STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Humanitarian overview We also contin- FINDING HOPE IN EDUCATION Conflict and economic stagnation have ued our work to affected nearly every aspect of Iraqi support Syrian ref- society in the wake of the conflict with ugees in helping DOHUK MOSUL the so-called Islamic State (IS) group. build a secondary onestopmap.com Mohamed fled from Mosul, where he had not attended school for two and a half years. In the first half of 2017, over 900,000 school in Domiz ERBIL people were displaced as the govern- camp. HAMAM He dreams of becoming a football player, or maybe a doctor. AL ALIL ment retook areas controlled by the KIRKUK IS group. The Kurdish independence We gave vulnera- referendum in September resulted in ble families cash Mohamed Mohseen, a 15-year-old boy from West Mosul, half years,” he explained. a military operation to regain control to buy food and fled with his parents and eight siblings after the Islamic of disputed areas around Kirkuk. More pay rent. Cash is State (IS group) had taken over the city. They fled from their neighbourhood and eventually ended up than 100,000 people were forced to a short-term form RAMADI BAGHDAD in Khazer camp, where he is attending school at NRC’s sup- flee. At the end of the year, Iraqi author- of assistance When we met him, he talked about how much he misses his port centre. “I feel thrilled to be back to school,” Mohamed ities retook the last IS group-controlled and long-term home. “Before IS took over the city, we had redecorated the said with a smile on his face. territories in western Anbar. benefits are not achieved unless whole house,” he said. “They destroyed it and we lost our Over the last two years, more than 3.2 these initiatives car as well. Now we live here in a tent.” “I like the teachers here and my classmates as well.” Still, million people returned to their districts are combined with he explained how much he misses his old school and the of origin. For the first time since the livelihood opportu- Like many other families from Mosul, Mohamed’s family friends he had back home. “I loved all my teachers and my conflict began, the number of people nities. We started suffered from food shortages and bad drinking water while all-time favourite subjects in school are maths and Arabic returning surpassed the 2.6 million who implementing living under the control of the IS group. “The drinking water grammar.” were internally displaced. However, livelihood-oriented was not clean at all; it smelled really bad because the public people often returned to areas rav- programmes and water system was damaged.” After school, he often plays football with his friends. “My aged by conflict and lacking in basic wish to expand dream is to play for one of the big football clubs in the services like water and electricity. The them gradually. Mohamed is one of many Iraqi children who have lost up world. I really like Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo, I hope World Bank estimates that it will cost In order to prevent the forced returns to three years of formal education. “Before IS came, I had to see him one day,” Mohamed said, and added, “Some- USD 88 billion to rebuild what has and evictions which we have witnessed, been destroyed. But even if these funds we spoke with national authorities, passed sixth grade. Then I was out of school for two and a times, I think I should just go to college and be a doctor.” can be found, the government will face humanitarian partners, donors and dip- many challenges in rebuilding cities to lomatic missions and the media. This ensure that people can return safely, resulted in numerous public statements when they are ready. and media articles.

NRC’s operation Our organisation retains a prominent NRC scaled up its emergency voice, highlighting the numbers of those response because of increased dis- who have fled and the conditions that Other GAC Sherwany/NRC Sarhang placement, particularly from Mosul. they are living in. During the Hawija and GIZ NMFA WFP 14% Around one million people fled the city Western Anbar offensives, we were SDC during the military operation. We pro- one of the NGOs who strongly under- vided camp management, temporary lined the insufficient assistance avail- BPRM Total 10% shelter and distributed emergency sup- able for the affected population. Our expenditure ECHO plies like food, water and hygiene items. media work attracted broad coverage UNICEF 19% OCHA 54.5 m in international media outlets. We also (NOK) After the government retook IS continued our strong advocacy for vol- UNHCR group-controlled areas, we gradu- untary returns of those who are able OFDA DFID 22% SIDA ally shifted our focus from emergency and willing to. 7% response towards the returnee pop- ulation’s needs, to help them recover The UN estimates that, in 2018, one in and rebuild. People returned to find four Iraqis will continue to need human- NRC IRAQ their houses in ruins. We repaired and itarian assistance. Authorities keep upgraded shelters, water networks insisting on people to return, often pre- Established: 2010 and negotiated with landlords to for- maturely, while it is unsafe and they lack International staff: 65 malise lease agreements and reduce basic services and livelihood oppor- fees. Our teams supported education tunities in their home areas. We will National staff: 460 initiatives for children traumatised by continue to advocate for the rights of People in need: 11 m conflict, and we upgraded damaged displaced people in Iraq. People assisted: 2,044,731 schools in East Mosul. Mohamed brought his schoolbooks and is ready for a class inside NRCs learning centre in Khazer camp, Iraq.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 60 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 61 JORDAN

managed recep- Our teams arranged awareness ses-

tion areas to sions and gave legal advice and Amri/NRC Hussein Photo: ensure that new counselling on how to obtain civil doc- arrivals and umentation, register and access legal returnees to the employment. We urged the Jordanian camp were wel- Government to legalise the status of IRBID comed in a safe over 20,000 Syrian refugees in their MAFRAQ environment. host communities and to allow Syrian AJLOUN ZAATARI refugee children without birth certifi- Zaatari camp, cates to register as refugees. Those JERASH AZRAQ home to around children can now register, reducing the 80,000 Syrian risk of statelessness, family separation, AMMAN refugees, turned trafficking and denial of services. five years old in 2017. We have Our teams actively engaged with com- given residents munity based organisations (CBOs) in the opportu- host communities to build local capac- nity to work ity and capitalise on existing resources. as teachers, Collaborating with CBOs, we arranged storekeepers a large-scale volunteer programme to or as mainte- train both Syrians and Jordanians to nance staff. This help us provide services and identify stimulated the those who need support. As a result, camp’s econ- we moved closer to the communi- omy and helped ties and increased the reach of our onestopmap.com people sustain programme. We obtained feedback themselves. from the people we assisted on how Humanitarian overview Our teams coached and financially we could improve our activities and Since the start of the Syrian crisis in supported youth initiated projects like adjusted our work accordingly, resulting 2012, Jordan has welcomed a large repairing school furniture and making in a more trustful relationship between number of refugees fleeing the con- school uniforms. We enabled youth to our teams and the people we help. flict. As of 2017, over 650,000 Syrians make changes in their communities, remain registered with UNHCR, but the resulting in increased wellbeing, confi- Government of Jordan estimates that dence and independence. there are an additional 750,000 Syrian nationals in country. Four out of five People living outside of camps have Telethon Syrian refugees live outside camps in struggled to find adequate housing. Other cities, towns and villages. In northern Jordan, we provided safe GIZ NMFA DEVCO 17% shelters to the most vulnerable by BPRM Many Syrian refugees in Jordan have renovating substandard buildings and ECHO UNICEF Total depleted their own resources. They completing semi-finished housing in 11% expenditure struggle to move freely in the country, exchange for rent reductions. We pro- OCHA provide for their families and access vided cash for rent to families under SIDA 41.3 m health care and education. Despite imminent threat of eviction. Media 3% (USD) some progress in allowing Syrian refu- attention of these efforts led to wider DFID gees to engage in the formal workforce, acceptance of Syrian refugees. UNHCR the legal framework still imposes barri- 45% ers. Refugees are often dependent on A third of school-aged Syrian refu- humanitarian aid, remain unemployed gee children in Jordan remained out or find only informal working. An esti- of school. Many public schools have NRC JORDAN mated 95 per cent of Syrian refugees reached their capacity and cannot live below the national poverty line, a accommodate more children. In Irbid, Established: 2012 twofold increase from 2014. we built classrooms, sanitation facilities International staff: 28 and playgrounds, allowing more stu- NRC’s operation dents to attend school. We also trained National staff: 562 Our operation acted as UNHCR’s teachers and principals to improve People in need: 650,000 9 lead shelter and distribution partner the quality of education and prevent People assisted: 187,907 in Zaatari and Azraq camps. We also dropouts. A family put their NRC-issued gas heater and blankets to use in Azraq, Jordan.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 62 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 63 LEBANON PALESTINE

Humanitarian overview NRC’s operation Our mobile court reached refugees Humanitarian overview NRC’s operation conflict and displacement and improve Lebanon has the highest number of ref- Our programme supports both dis- otherwise curtailed from accessing There are currently over five million Our team in Palestine employs experts their conditions for learning. We work ugees per capita in the world. The esti- placed people and host communities in such services due to lack of freedom of Palestinian refugees spread across specialising in legal assistance, shel- closely with the Ministry of Education mated 1.5 million Syrian refugees and Lebanon. Across the country, we have movement. This has unblocked hun- Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. ter and education. We work with local and Higher Education to ensure that all almost 450,000 Palestinian refugees worked to alleviate tension and promote dreds of marriage and birth registration Many of the people displaced during actors to help Palestinians in the West schools eventually can implement BLP. amount to over a third of Lebanon’s social cohesion. For example, through files. We advocated for Syrian refugees the wars of 1948 and 1967, when Bank – including East Jerusalem and We were selected to participate in a total population. This puts pressure on projects that target communities host- to obtain legal residency and birth reg- Israel occupied the West Bank, includ- Gaza. newly established public services and affects the coun- ing large numbers of refugees, we istration of new-borns. Our advocacy to ing East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, consortium of education in emergency try’s demographic balance, at a time address issues around water and waste change the rules requiring refugees to have never been able to return. Israel’s We provided information on hous- that will measure the outcomes of when its own political and economic management. We also facilitate access register the birth of their children within expansion of illegal settlements con- ing, land and property rights, chal- psychosocial learning programmes. stability is precarious. to adequate housing for vulnerable ref- twelve months or face a difficult and tinues to force Palestinians off their lenged discriminatory planning and We will use these findings to refine ugee families through direct investment expensive court procedure, has resulted land. They face revocation of residency, zoning policies, and promoted wom- our approach. Refugees from Syria are not consid- in the local housing market. in the Ministry of State for Refugee restrictions on their freedom of move- en’s rights to inheritance. Last year, ered refugees, but are treated under Affairs advancing the issue with other ment, discrimination, harassment and there was a steady rise in the need for We also worked to protect and pro- the Lebanese immigration law, depriv- We responded when Syrians were relevant line ministries in accordance violence. legal services, while the support from mote the human rights of displaced and ing them of fundamental refugee rights. displaced within the Bekaa valley fol- with what we suggested. As a direct our donors decreased. To become vulnerable Palestinians. We spoke out An estimated 75 per cent of Syrian lowing conflict and evictions, and after result of this advocacy, the cabinet has In 2017, the tenth year of the blockade more efficient, we focused our work specifically on the right to land, hous- refugees live below the national pov- the armed conflict in the Ein El Helweh now formally requested that the Ministry of the Gaza strip, Israel continued to on empowering local Palestinian and ing and education. Additionally, we erty line. The Lebanese government Palestinian camp. This included provi- of the Interior make the necessary prevent free movement of goods and Israeli partner organisations, rather than organised two High-Level Expert Legal opposes creating formal camps, so ref- sion of emergency cash distributions changes. If this goes ahead, it will result people in and out of Gaza. The situation hiring private lawyers. In the West Bank, Symposia in Geneva and New York to ugees must find and pay for their own and shelter repairs. While cash remains in tens of thousands of children’s births has led to economic collapse, extremely we gave legal assistance to displaced launch our reports reflecting upon the accommodation, either in urban areas an appropriate first response for emer- being registered. high unemployment and critical short- people affected by eviction orders, legality of the occupation of Palestine. or in informal settlements. gencies, it is insufficient to address ages of essential services, including land confiscation and settler violence. The findings were used by the UN the range of urgent needs faced by There is a lot of pressure on Syrian ref- healthcare, clean water and sanitation, In Gaza, we helped Palestinians obtain Special Rapporteur in his recommenda- Due to a restrictive environment in vulnerable families following reloca- ugees to return, illustrated most clearly electricity and education. 80 per cent necessary documents to prove their tions to the General Assembly. Lebanon, refugees are increasingly tion. We are now establishing systems by the restrictions imposed on refu- of the 2 million people in Gaza rely on property ownership, enabling them to likely to be pushed back to Syria before to use post-distribution monitoring of gees by municipalities, such as mass some form of international aid. In the reconstruct their damaged houses. Our work in Palestine combines human- they can make an informed and volun- emergency cash assistance to identify evictions, arrest and curfews. We have West Bank, more than 40 schools risk itarian assistance with the building of tary decision. and target our follow-up programming, monitored eviction triggers and trends, demolition to create space for illegal We helped repair buildings damaged local capacities to improve community based on the spe- and analysed the legality of the actions. settlement expansion. Students face during the 2014 conflict and gave cash resilience. cific needs and vul- This has resulted in increased scrutiny harassment and violence from both sol- support to vulnerable families to enable nerabilities of each by the international community. diers and settlers. them to rebuild their homes. family. Our teams worked We helped Syrian with The United children enrol in Nations Relief and TRIPOLI the formal educa- Own Works Agency for funds NMFA tion system, and Palestine Refugees Other 8% provided learning NMFA in the Near East Other 24% support to reduce KfW and government UN school dropout rates. 31% Total schools to provide Total expenditure expenditure ECHO To prepare out-of- quality education 30% school children for 34.7 m and decrease drop- FCO 15.7 m formal education, (USD) out rates. 79 per 25% (USD) OCHA ECHO we offered classes SIDA 20% cent of children SDC ZAHLE 4% SIDA BEIRUT in basic literacy and in the West Bank NORAD DFID 7% numeracy. During the RAMALLAH and 85 per cent in 2% OCHA 20% DEVCO autumn, we partici- Gaza reported pos- JERUSALEM pated in the “Back itive change in their to School” cam- NRC LEBANON social well-being. NRC PALESTINE paign, conducting We continued to GAZA door-to-door visits to Established: 2006 develop our Better Established: 2009 ensure that all chil- Learning Programme International staff: 18 International staff: 12 TYRE dren, both Lebanese (BLP), together with and non-Lebanese, National staff: 475 the University of National staff: 115 would exercise their People in need: 3.3 m 10 Tromsø, to support People in need: 2 m access to formal People assisted: 497,324 children’s recovery People assisted: 121,213 onestopmap.com

education. onestopmap.com from the trauma of

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 64 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 65 SYRIA TURKEY

provided tem- In 2017, we remained one of the lead- Humanitarian overview expired. Since then, our team has help children who have missed years porary water ing organisations promoting civil Turkey continues to host the largest worked with the Turkish authorities to of education to enrol and succeed in and sanitation documentation issues and housing, number of refugees of any country in renew our authorisation to implement Turkish schools. Our teams also pro- facilities and land and property rights inside Syria. the world. More than 3.5 million Syrians activities in the country. Until our regis- vided Turkish language classes to help distributed tents, Widespread destruction of civil regis- have fled over the northern border into tration is renewed, and in compliance children and youth overcome the main blankets and tries across the country has reduced Turkey, where conditions for most ref- with Turkish legislation, we have closed barrier to them accessing education. hygiene kits, access to documents that people need ugees remain precarious. Additionally, our offices and suspended operations. Our operations in Syria are which include to enrol in schools, access health care 300,000 people from mainly Iraq, Iran Despite active engagement with the In a context of rising unemployment managed by our Syria Response Office in Amman, Jordan. We deliver soap and sani- and move around freely. If a marriage and Afghanistan reside in the country. Turkish authorities, the likelihood and rates among refugees, we worked assistance at various locations inside tary products. To is not registered, for example, it will A majority of the refugees live in the timeline for registration renewal are to ensure that vulnerable youth and Syria. However, to not compromise increase self-reli- affect birth records and future access border cities and the urban centres of unclear. adults had a decent livelihood and the security of our staff, partners and the people we assist, we do not ance, our teams to services, as a marriage certificate Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. participated in their host communi- specify locations in the map. delivered food, is a prerequisite in these cases. We In the first part of 2017, NRC played ties. From October 2016 to January cash, seeds and helped people obtain these essential All Syrians in Turkey are granted a an active role in the NGO community 2017, our teams provided vocational food production documents and spoke up for displaced temporary protection status. This law in Turkey. As the INGO with the larg- training courses, allowing participants training. We also persons’ right to legal status, access guarantees against forced returns, est programming presence in Ankara, to choose between a variety of spe- provided poul- to basic services and an accountable the ability to access education and we worked with Turkish governmen- cialisations such as cooking, sewing try, livestock and humanitarian response. free health care. But in reality, insuf- tal bodies, Turkish NGOs, and Syrian and computer training. We worked to veterinary sup- ficient resources hamper the govern- grass-root organisations. Together with ensure that women could participate in port and rehabili- In a joint campaign, we helped secure ment’s ability to provide these services. the Danish Refugee Council, we ana- the courses by covering transportation tated community the renewal of the UN Security Council Furthermore, lack of awareness and lan- lysed the protection context, identified cost, providing child-care and giving

AMMAN onestopmap.com structures to Resolution 2165, which continues to guage barriers prevent many refugees major threats and vulnerabilities that a daily stipend to compensate for lost sustain and authorise assistance into and within from accessing the services they are refugees in Turkey confront and pro- earnings due to attendance. Once the enhance pro- Syria through the most direct means. legally entitled to. posed how INGOs can adjust their course was completed, we helped par- Humanitarian overview duction. We assisted people through This resolution is critical to the delivery projects to meet the needs of displaced ticipants find work. Seven years into the war in Syria, the an integrated approach; for instance, of lifesaving assistance in many hard-to- The EU-Turkey Statement that came people. We informed refugees on their scale of humanitarian needs across the we repaired shelters while also helping reach areas in Syria. into effect in March 2016 has led to the rights through information campaigns country remain overwhelming. Food residents to obtain documents proving deportation of refugees and migrants and visits, and gave legal assistance on prices are rising, while purchasing ownership of their property. in Greece back to Turkey and curbed a range of issues such as registration power diminishes, leaving 7.2 million the onward migration to Europe. procedures, civil documentation, work people food insecure. Over half of the With one in four schools damaged Approximately 30,000 refugees and permits and housing, land and property population lives in sub-standard hous- or destroyed in Syria, the availability migrants journeyed by sea from Turkey issues. ing, with one million people in shelters of safe spaces for learning has been to Greece in 2017, a six-fold decrease of ‘last resort’ such as schools, public severely diminished. Our teams built compared to 2016. Meanwhile, the As of January 2017, 40 per cent of buildings, mosques or camps. and rehabilitated schools and distrib- Turkish authorities have closed the Syrian refugee children in Turkey uted learning materials. We helped border with Syria, allowing crossings remained out of school. They face lan- Of the 5.7 million Syrian refugees children catch up on lost learning Own only in special circumstances. guage barriers, overcrowded schools funds worldwide, most of whom are in neigh- through transitional programmes or DEVCO and lack qualified teachers to meet Telethon UNICEF SDC GIZ bouring countries, a very limited number self-learning initiatives. This was espe- OCHA NRC’s operation the demand for education. We worked 14% have returned. There were three times cially important in Aleppo governorate, Our programme operated in Turkey with children, parents, teachers, local OFDA Total as many newly displaced people than as families who were once displaced until May 2017, when our registration NGOs and municipality services to Total NMFA returnees in both 2016 and 2017. began to return. In some areas, around SIDA expenditure NMFA expenditure 43% 4% 45% Without a political solution, displace- 90 per cent of previous participants in 34 m 2.6 m UNHCR ment is continuing, and people in Syria transition programmes enrolled in and (USD) (USD) bear the brunt of the hostilities. returned to formal schools, while in other areas only 40 per cent of partici- UNHCR ECHO 41% NRC’s operation pants were able to return. To help more 21%

We are one of few agencies operating children access their right to learn, we onestopmap.com across the whole of Syria. Against a will work to ensure that schools and ANKARA backdrop of intense fighting, we work community learning centres have the NRC SYRIA NRC TURKEY to provide emergency, transitional and resources to welcome children through longer-term assistance to people in the provision of safe learning spaces Established: 2016 Established: 2016 need. and furniture. We will also ensure that International staff: 51 International staff: 5 parents understand the importance of GAZIANTEP During the final months of 2017, new, children accessing their right to learn National staff: 286 National staff: 39 large scale forced displacement took and the documents needed to return to People in need: 13.5 m People in need: 3.4 m 11 place as a result of conflict inside Syria. learning. People assisted: 672,523 To meet people’s basic needs, we

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 66 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 67 In 2013, Honorine Essibeda fled her home in Bengoua, a neighbourhood at the outskirts of Bangui in the Central African Republic. She has now returned and receives support from NRC to rebuild her home.

PART 3 THEMATIC AREAS

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 68 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 69 Photo: Tiril Skarstein/NRC Tiril Photo: READY TO RESPOND Farran/NRC Gonzalez Albert Photo:

We deploy emergency response teams to reduce human suffering with life-saving interventions when and where the needs are greatest.

The number of people displaced by brutal violence and po- We have been operating in northeast Nigeria since 2015. litical unrest reached record highs in 2017. We need to re- In the spring of 2017, the area experienced severe food spond quickly and effectively to help the most vulnerable. To insecurity that the UN predicted would lead to widespread do this, we use emergency response teams, roving experts, famine. We sent an ERT to Borno, one of the hardest hit participation in multi-agency rapid response mechanisms states with thousands of people in need of immediate help. A community volunteer helps a woman to carry a sack of maize during a food distribution in Ngop, Unity State, South Sudan. NRC distributed food, such as maize, lentils, oil and corn, to more than 7,100 people. and strategic planning and preparedness tools. We managed a multi-agency rapid response mechanism to bring food and other emergency supplies to more than Providing crucial assistance 8,000 people. One specific challenge was reaching remote logistics and human and financial resource management. fleeing violence in Myanmar. To address this challenge, Our global emergency response teams (ERT) can be sent areas where there were no humanitarian operations. With Maintaining a roster of experts for short-term assignments is we sent a three-person team to Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar to out at a moment’s notice to assess needs on the ground. helicopters piloted by the UN Humanitarian Air Service, we a challenging task. Fatigue and burnout rates are high and shepherd the registration process in Bangladesh. We are We deploy ERTs to support our teams in areas where we were able to reach displaced people in Dikwa, Damasak we are vying for the same expertise as other humanitarian also identifying ways to streamline preparation of memo- are already working and to determine how we can best and Monguno with emergency shelter, cooked meals organisations. To address this challenge, we will increase randa of understanding and other required documents in assist in places where we do not have a presence. Our and distribution of other essential supplies. The ERT also the number of global roving staff from four to thirteen. Ad- countries where we seek to operate. two global ERTs consist of people managing a wide range established programmes for continued assistance to 4,000 ditionally, we will forge stronger links with our country and of emergency interventions including water, sanitation and families in these areas. regional offices to identify additional experts for our rosters. We partner with other organisations in areas where it is dif- hygiene (WASH), emergency shelter and logistics and dis- ficult to operate independently or where it is more effective tribution. We have been increasingly successful in recruiting With our experience in assessing needs in the midst of Promoting a culture of preparedness to work together. In 2017, we partnered with UNICEF and French-speaking experts for our emergency response in emergencies, we were also able to identify where inter- Preparedness is as much about culture as it is about check- the World Food Programme in eight Rapid Response Mech- West Africa and now have a fully operational francophone ventions did not have an added value. For instance, an lists and stockpiles. We developed new technical tools to anisms (RRMs) in Afghanistan, the Central African Repub- ERT, as one of our two teams. In 2017, we deployed ERTs emergency response team deployed to Chad in late 2017 reinforce a mind-set of preparedness throughout the organ- lic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Mali, Nigeria, to Afghanistan, Cameroon, Chad, Iraq, Niger, Nigeria and advised against intervention after concluding that the num- isation. Minimum Preparedness Actions set out a minimum Palestine and South Sudan. As we complement each other Tunisia/Libya. ber of humanitarian organisations present was sufficient. standard operation procedure that country offices need to and have different strengths that we bring into the partner- A response by our team would only increase competition have in place to respond to a range of emergencies. We ship, it enables us to better help the people we serve. Hundreds of thousands of documented and undocumented for already limited funding to respond to the crisis. Based also introduced Mandatory Emergency Preparedness Plans, refugees returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan at the end on this information, we decided not to enter and rather including realistic scenarios, to ensure our country offices of 2016. They joined more than one million internally dis- strengthened our emergency support elsewhere. respond rapidly to quick-onset disasters, such as seasonal placed people. We sent an ERT to Jalalabad to organise the flooding, drought and displacement emergencies. WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY? emergency response in three provinces: Nangarhar, Kunar Additional support to our operations NRC views an emergency as a change that would and Khost. Our team led the inter-agency response mecha- We deployed 27 experts for short-term assistance in 12 Bureaucratic challenges result in a serious disruption to a community or nism to provide emergency supplies and food to more than countries. Such deployments fill gaps in staffing of our In some cases, the ability to operate in emergency situa- society causing widespread human, material, 100,000 vulnerable people in the middle of winter. operations as well as where the scale of the emergency tions is hindered by administrative constraints. This is an economic and environmental losses. An emergen- requires additional resources. For up to six months, these unfortunate reality for many humanitarian organisations. For cy exceeds the ability of those affected to cope In Iraq, we assisted more than 20,000 people fleeing Mosul experts supported activities in our areas of expertise, such instance, our activities in Turkey were put on hold awaiting using their own resources, thus it is a situation that during the offensive to retake the city from the Islamic State as camp coordination, education, information, counselling renewal of our registration to operate in the country. In requires response beyond normal programming. Group. We distributed emergency packages including and legal advice, livelihoods and food security, shelter and Bangladesh, complicated bureaucratic procedures for reg- bottled water, tinned food, soap and towels. WASH. The experts also supported our work on security, istration severely limited our assistance to Muslim refugees

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 70 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 71 BEING A RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYER Surprenant/NRC Adrienne Photo:

We ask our staff to work in high-risk areas where people are very vulnerable. It is our duty to ensure they feel reasonably safe and supported, so they are able to focus on the work at hand.

In 2017, NRC had 14,450 aid workers – 7,450 of them safety, security and health as a shared responsibility. Our fo- employees – in 31 countries. Most of these people were cus in 2017 was to ensure that staff across the organisation located within or near conflict zones and high-risk environ- had relevant training and tools to better predict and address ments. In a world where aid workers are increasingly targets safety and security risks at all levels of our programmes. of violence, where the number and complexity of threats changes rapidly, we must constantly adapt our practices We developed Duty of Care Standards to clarify the to ensure that staff are able to reach the people we serve minimum arrangements required of all our operations to safely and in time. protect staff from physical and psychological harm and to effectively manage incidents when they happen. In 2017, Our ability to deliver quality assistance to vulnerable people we established an e-learning module recreating field and depends, in part, on ensuring that employees feel rea- management decision scenarios. The e-learning programme One of our colleagues talking to displaced people in the Sanaag region in Somalia. We take our responsibility to take care sonably safe and supported by the organisation and that helps staff to test and assess their decisions and choices of our employees seriously and support them while they assist people in need. they have the knowledge and expertise to mitigate risks in against the organisational Duty of Care Standards. Working increasingly hostile environments. with real-life scenarios, staff who have taken the module are We are committed to regularly assessing and adjusting our rity training for national staff. Data on major incidents of now able to assess their decisions and choices against our policies and tools to ensure that they are up-to-date and violence against aid workers have shown that, while national Protecting our staff principles and procedures. relevant for our staff. We do this through staff surveys and aid workers are less subject to major attacks per capita We take our obligation to protect staff seriously, and feedback from staff representatives. Information sharing and than international aid workers, they make up the majority of consider it part of being a responsible employer that we We also hired an adviser to improve our work towards pre- discussions serve to remind staff about their right to voice victims and their specific security needs require more atten- invest in appropriate care and security for our employees. vention of sexual abuse and exploitation. concerns. We will improve the quality of our current incident tion. Two Training-of-Trainer courses were carried out at the Not having adequate procedures and systems in place can reporting system, enhance information on security issues end of the year, and more are planned in 2018. In addition lead to loss of life or harm to employees, a reduced ability Adjusting our policies along the way and provide better data and analysis on staff care. to basic security training, participants develop skills and to deliver humanitarian assistance and legal and financial We will launch a cultural awareness campaign for Duty of knowledge in training methodology and practices. Our aim consequences for the organisation. Care in 2018. The campaign slogans will be: Know the Preparing for the worst to be among the best is to develop sufficient national capacity for security training Way. Show the Way. Lead by Example and Reasonable For nearly a decade, we have remained a global leader in in all our country programmes. In 2017, we further strengthened our framework for the se- Steps. Together, they exemplify our commitment to Duty of the provision of Hostile Environment Awareness Training curity, safety and health of staff. NRC’s Duty of Care frame- Care at all levels in the organisation. For employees, this (HEAT) to humanitarians. We are the sole provider of HEAT Increasing impact through partnerships work focuses on the physical and psychological wellbeing means that they are adequately informed, prepared, trained for non-profit organisations in Norway, and increasing Through the partnership with The Norwegian Ministry of of employees. It is anchored in all phases of our engage- and supported during their assignments. For managers, demand for our training demonstrates how critical it is for Foreign Affairs in Duty of Care, we are able to provide ment with staff, starting with recruiting the right people and they should have the requisite competencies, training and humanitarian workers. In 2017, we conducted seven HEAT critical elements of the Duty of Care framework to our staff, making sure that they have support and training throughout expert advice to effectively assess risk, manage day-to-day courses that have prepared over 200 humanitarians to react including HEAT, training for managers and support for their employment with us. operational risks and respond adequately to incidents and effectively in high-stress and volatile environments. implementation of the minimum standards. We also partner crises affecting employees and operations. with the Headington Institute, an organisation that specialis- Taking reasonable steps together The HEAT training has been a big benefit to international es in psychological support for humanitarians. They support Our organisation’s objective in caring for our employees is Creating a culture where security, safety and health are staff deployed to our country and regional programmes. In HEAT instructor teams to provide realistic, high-stress to build and maintain a robust framework that emphasises intrinsic to everything we do is a long-term undertaking. 2017, we have started to increase our capacity for secu- training through safe and effective approaches.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 72 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 73 BETTER LEARNING Photo: Wissam Nassar /NRC

We use the lessons we learn from evaluating and analysing our activities to strengthen our programmes. This, in turn, increases our accountability to both the people we assist and the donors who support us.

A group of children living on the Gaza strip is learning how to deal with traumas and nightmares with the Better Learning Programme. Learning from our experience is crucial to enhance our The review also concluded that BLP supports conditions overall response to displacement. Through systematic and for children to better succeed in school. When asked to impartial examination of our interventions, we can draw reflect on their experience, teachers noted improvements Based on lessons acquired from the evaluation in Palestine Our education programme addressed acute assistance and lessons that enable us to improve, adjust and answer for our in students’ abilities to concentrate and focus. The chil- and to meet the demands of a global roll out of the pro- protection needs for children and adolescents. For exam- actions. We can use the findings to immediately bring about dren had increased control over their own behaviour and gramme, we are currently revising the BLP manuals, devel- ple, our bridging classes included motivational teaching changes in our practices and strengthen learning across improved academic motivation. However, it was not clear oping a teacher and parent training package and guidance activities that encouraged children to prioritise return to the organisation, thereby improving overall approaches, what impact the programme had on academic achievement to support high quality implementation of the programme. school, establish a life plan and set short-term goals for strategies and policies. In 2017 we reviewed, among others, or attendance. their continued education. Their mobility is very limited due two of our programmes: one in Palestine and the other in Responding to generalised violence to the violence, so we conducted the classes in community Honduras. The evaluation found that our efforts to reach more children in Central America facilities that were safe for the children to access. resulted in a loss of quality in some programme areas. For Despite dramatic movement trends, forced displacement is Improving children’s wellbeing in Palestine example, our staff responsible for supporting BLP were not officially recognised in most of the countries that make Our ICLA activities included assistance in obtaining civil We developed the better learning programme (BLP) to overloaded with the number of schools for which they were up the Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA). Of the and identity documents and gaining access to civil regis- improve learning conditions for children and adolescents responsible, thus reducing the level of support provided to three countries comprising the NTCA; El Salvador, Hondu- tration procedures. We also assisted internally displaced exposed to war and conflict in Palestine. teachers and counsellors who implement the programme. ras and Guatemala, only Honduras acknowledges the ex- people and deportees with short-term emergency assis- We will reduce the number of schools for which each of istence of forced displacement within its boundaries. This, tance including cash assistance for rent and transportation BLP offers psycho-social support through a three-phased our team member is responsible, thereby increasing their coupled with the highest displacement figures in the region for relocation of families. intervention. First, we target all children by integrating capacity to assist teachers in schools. Additionally, we will at the time, facilitated our decision to pilot a programme in psycho-educational support into classroom practice with provide a psycho-social package to support teachers and Honduras to respond to a range of protection and displace- While the review confirmed that we had a positive impact on our BLP 1 programme. Then, we implement our BLP 2 pro- counsellors. ment issues. the lives of displaced people in Honduras, it highlighted the gramme, supporting resilience among a smaller, more spe- lack of a regional approach as a weakness of the current pi- cific target group of academic under-achievers through five The review also highlighted weaknesses in the sustainability Our primary objective for the pilot was to provide a hu- lot programme. For a response to the current displacement group sessions facilitated by teachers. Lastly, we operate a of some components of the BLP once our support ends. manitarian response to the needs of people affected by and protection crisis in NTCA to be effective, it recommend- BLP 3 programme, with school counsellors giving group or While we have a clear, well-planned exit strategy for hand- displacement, deportation and generalised violence. The re- ed the establishment of responses in countries of origin, individual sessions to address nightmares, which many chil- over of responsibilities for BLP 3 to appropriate authorities, sponse consisted of ensuring access to basic education for transit and asylum. dren experience as a chronic symptom of traumatic stress. BLP 1 was not yet sufficiently institutionalised to continue displacement-affected children and youth, give information, without our active support. To address this, we have defined counselling and legal assistance (ICLA), and provide short- We recognise the need for a regional approach and are We evaluated our BLP 1 and BLP 3 programme compo- minimum standards for BLP 1 that include concrete actions term emergency assistance for internally displaced people currently assessing the potential expansion of our Honduras nents to assess the extent to which we were serving the for integrating the programme as a stand-alone component and deportees with acute protection needs. We advocated pilot programme to a regional programme. Our teams are psycho-educational needs of the most vulnerable children. in the school system. These minimum standards include for the protection of the rights of displaced and deported evaluating the needs of people in refugee-like situations in The evaluation concluded that BLP has a clear and demon- child-centred teaching methodologies, activities for increas- people and for displaced children to access education. Mexico and Guatemala. Based upon the needs identified, strable impact on improving the wellbeing of children partic- ing the engagement of parents, ensuring mechanisms for our ability to respond, and the feasibility of raising funds for ipating in the programme. The programme equips them with supporting the supporters and strengthening capacity of The review of the pilot concluded that our work in Honduras such a response, we will consider further steps in order to skills for coping with fear, stress and the anxiety of living in a trainers with relevant education authorities in Gaza and the was a relevant response to the humanitarian needs of the expand our programmes in the region. context of continual conflict. West Bank. people living in environments of generalised violence.

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 74 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 75 Own funds/Telethon 8.4 m (2%) DFID SIDA US. Fed. Govt. PARTNERING TO 35.2 m (7%) 32 m (7%) 31.2 m (7%) ECHO 86.7 m (18%) EXTEND OUR REACH DEVCO 9.1 m (2%) SDC Other UN 7.2 m (2%) 12.3 m (3%) KfW 10.8 m (2%) NMFA 117.7 m (24%) To reach more people, we have partners who help us in a variety of ways.

UNICEF Others UNHCR OCHA 34.8 m (7%) NORAD 18.3 m (4%) 16.4 m (3%) 7.7 m (2%) 52.1 m (11%)

Over the last ten to fifteen years, we have gradually trans- tarian needs and donors perceive us as delivering high-qual- New demands from donors comply with the European data protection regulations that formed our donor base. From having been a largely Norwe- ity programmes. Our partners recognise our commitment to Some donors are channelling more funds through service will come into force in 2018. Xynteo, a high-level advisory gian-funded organisation in the early 2000s, we are today principled humanitarian action and for speaking up for the contracts, where payments are standardly made at the firm and think-tank, is a new edition to our roster of partner- one of the humanitarian organisations with the strongest rights of vulnerable people. conclusion of a project, as opposed to grants funding ships. We participated and held a workshop at the Xynteo and most diversified range of institutional donor partners. where funds are disbursed up front. This presents different Exchange in Oslo, a platform that brought together global The main reason for our successful diversification has been While increased financial support is one of our aims, our obligations and risks that we are working to better under- leaders from business, start-ups, academia, research insti- a strategic decision to boost fundraising efforts targeting partnerships go beyond fundraising. We maintain strategic stand. In addition, there is an increasing interest in funding tutions and government to work together on solving human non-Norwegian donors. In this process, we have built strong relations with donors through our network of representa- NGO consortia, where several organisations collaborate in problems. partnerships with a wide range of donors, encompassing tion offices. This network has been further strengthened implementing a project. both funding and policy dialogue. with the late 2017 opening of our newest office in Berlin. Developing partnerships with corporate sponsors is a long- Additionally, our staff in the field collaborate with embassies To meet the requirements of these new models of financing, term investment, which requires dedicated staff. It takes NRC’s total income in 2017 was USD 490 million. By and other donor representatives on policy development and we must adapt our procedures and systems. We advocate time to identify projects that meet mutually beneficial ob- raising awareness of the numerous humanitarian crisis situa- programme implementation. with our partners and within the humanitarian system for jectives. We have strengthened our capacity on corporate tions and needs, as well as our success in securing funding financing reform, as we develop tools to work effectively partnerships through reorganising our staff and recruiting from new donors, our income has increased 33 per cent We managed to increase the share of flexible and predict- within consortia. We will recruit people with expertise in more people, looking forward to an intensified collaboration from 2016. This has allowed us to reach more people than able funding for humanitarian work. The NMFA, the Nor- development funding in the coming years. with our corporate partners in 2018. ever before. Institutional donors, such as government agen- wegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) cies and inter-governmental organisations have accounted and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Receiving expertise help Reaching more private donors for more than 90 per cent of our annual income. The rest Agency (Sida) now provide core funding at the country Partnering with corporate sponsors offers an opportunity to We also benefit from the commitment of more than 23,000 comes primarily from private and corporate sponsors. level. This means that our country programmes are free utilise expertise and solutions from others. Our corporate individuals who, in 2017, regularly gave money to support to prioritise based on need. They can use this flexibility to sponsors contribute pro bono services, provide flexible our work. Through direct mail and targeted marketing cam- Increasing support rapidly respond to escalating situations, to support activities funding and bring experience and skills that allow us to paigns in Norway and Sweden, we raised USD 13.3 million. Almost all of our institutional donors raised their level that otherwise would not be funded, or to ensure interven- modernise and innovate. Support from private sponsors is a crucial source of un-ear- of funding in 2017. As in previous years, the Norwegian tions in geographical areas where few others are present. marked funds, which permits us to make our own decisions Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) was our largest donor. This substantially increases our ability to provide timely and In 2017, in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group on where the money can best be spent. We therefore have The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and relevant support where it is most needed. (BCG), we produced an educational video that identifies a strong ambition to strengthen this source of funding, Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) had the highest in- key challenges in humanitarian financing and provides including through expansion beyond the Norwegian market. crease, with 77 per cent and surpassed UNHCR to become It has been more challenging to increase the amount of recommendations on how they can be addressed. As it Our experience from establishing NRC in Sweden is that our second-largest donor. Despite challenging political predictable funding. Traditionally, humanitarian donors are explains a complex matter in a simple way, we have used we must be ready to meet administrative requirements. shifts in the US, funding from USAID and the Bureau of reluctant to commit to multi-year funding since it limits their the video with our partners to raise awareness and further Moreover, it is necessary to build a strong brand. If people Population, Refugees and Migration increased by 64 per ability to respond to new crises. We were, however, able to the dialogue on finding solutions. BCG has also helped us do not know who we are and what we do, they are less likely cent compared to 2016. get agreements for multi-year funding for some countries. develop a new strategy for private sector fundraising. Jointly, to support us. We are adjusting our promotional material As funding committed over several years enables us to bet- we have articulated who to target, how to target and where accordingly and we will bring this experience with us as we There are several reasons for this increased support. We ter plan and contribute to lasting solutions, we will continue to target in order to secure more flexible funding. Kluge, enter the Austrian market in 2018. are present in many of the areas with the greatest humani- to strengthen our efforts in this area. a leading Norwegian law firm, has advised us on how to

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 76 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 77 and resilience, particularly in the context of protracted We will expand our pooled funds study by looking at the crises. This, however, has rarely been tested in practice. To role NGOs can play in ensuring greater efficiency of pooled do so, we commissioned a study in collaboration with the funds and at how effective pooled funds are in reducing Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) and earmarking. the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The study explored when and where MYHF can Joining forces have the greatest effect. It further identified the investments In our efforts, we have collaborated closely with the UN, and conditions required at the organisational level to enable donors and other NGOs. The fact that we have common NRC’S ENGAGEMENT organisations and donors to provide MYHF. The study was interests and are able to push our common agenda to- well received by the humanitarian community, and we are gether has made us progress significantly within the area currently conducting two follow-up studies on the challeng- of harmonised reporting and reducing earmarking. With IN THE GRAND BARGAIN es of passing-through MYHF to partners as well as practical some of our key donors, we have framework agreements for examples of good practices and benefits in a target country. three-year periods offering predictability for our operations. Since 2017, we have, through these framework agreements, Reducing earmarking received core funding for our country programmes, which Donors can tie funding to their priorities in various ways. For offers a greater level of flexibility. In the past year, we also example, they can demand that the financial contribution is signed several multi-year agreements with various donors, Humanitarian needs exceed the funding available. As a result, world leaders used in a certain geographic location, for a defined theme which will enable us to have a longer-term impact. agreed at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit to reduce the financing gap or for a specific project in a given country, a process called by improving the delivery and efficiency of aid. earmarking. Way forward We are stepping up our engagement to improve collab- Increased flexibility in humanitarian financing is key to oration between humanitarian and development actors, improving efficiency. Pooled funds are seen by many donors governments, NGOs and the private sector. This is closely as the optimal tool to reduce earmarking by allowing them linked to the New Way of Working, which aims to meet peo- to provide donations that are not bound to a specific activ- ple’s immediate humanitarian needs while simultaneously ity, project, or even country depending on the pooled fund reducing risk and vulnerability, and in doing so, help reduce set-up. We conducted a mapping of different humanitarian these needs over time. pooled funds to analyse and propose actions to replicate This agreement, the Grand Bargain (GB), cannot solve the on our work and ensure more funding reaches the people best practices. The study, titled Understanding Humanitar- To shrink humanitarian needs and mobilise additional funds, funding gap by itself. However, since more than 20 donors we serve. The achievement of other commitments, such ian Funds: Going Beyond Country Based Pooled Funds, it is of utmost importance to continue our engagement in accounting for 88 per cent of humanitarian funding have as the one related to cash-based programming, is already which was published in 2017, has been used to discuss the Grand Bargain. signed up, it presents a great opportunity to improve the embedded in our strategy. improvements with actors in Brussels, with OCHA and with way the aid sector operates. Pooled Funds Working Group members. Harmonising reporting One year later, the self-reporting reveals that signatories on Donors and UN agencies have agreed to simplify their average have taken action on 40 per cent of their commit- procedures to help us focus more on assisting people in ments. This is an important achievement, considering that need instead of using numerous hours on various reporting the Grand Bargain is a voluntary agreement, but progress formats. As each donor has their own narrative reporting has still been uneven. template, an organisation receiving funds from five donors may have to deal with five different formats, thus using a lot The strength of the Grand Bargain is its unique set-up, of time on a duplicative effort. We have encouraged, and bringing donors and aid organisations together, committing now take part in, a pilot testing of this standardised report- both sides to contribute their share. However, due to the ing template for 42 projects implemented in Iraq, Myanmar breadth of the initiative, we now see a pick-and-choose ap- and Somalia. Our objective is to also use lessons learned proach, resulting in varied achievements and the pursuit of from this pilot to develop a harmonised financial reporting individual agendas. There is also impatience as impacts are template. not yet visible in the field, although this is probably a result of a necessary, initial focus on discussion, mutual under- We have proposed a new way of classifying costs, planning standing and global level activities. Identifying collaborative budgets and preparing reports to increase efficiency and efforts across the workstreams, efficient workflow and real transparency. We estimate that the sector can save up to commitment is now essential to make a change. Through 2.3 million hours each year if the solutions are rolled out our expert roster, NORCAP, we have deployed one person globally. Our work to approach donors and secure their sup- to the secretariat and already improved communication and port on this will progress through 2018. coordination between the actors involved. Committing funds over years NRC has initially prioritised four workstreams (see illus- Multi-Year Humanitarian Financing (MYHF) allows for more tration), building on work we have already undertaken to predictable and flexible funding. The assumption is also that improve donor terms and conditions. We believe these are it reduces administrative costs and facilitates more respon- the workstreams where we are likely to see a direct impact sive programming. Moreover, it strengthens preparedness

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 78 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 79 IDPs ALONG

THE CONTINUUM ChristianPhoto: Jepsen/NRC OF DISPLACEMENT

NRC’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) aims to influence the global migration discourse by improving our understanding of the relation between internal displacement, cross-border and return movements.

IDMC provided timely and targeted information on internal we analysed more than one million reports and websites displacement to elevate the issue on the global policy agen- from September 2017 to January 2018, and extracted more da. Our global data was widely cited in numerous major than 200,000 potential facts about internal displacement global policy documents, including the new UN resolution occurring in 200 countries and territories worldwide. An informal settlement for displaced people in Mwaka village, Tanganyika province. The province has been one of the worst on the protection and assistance of internally displaced displacement-affected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. persons (IDPs), passed in 2017. Additionally, IDMC’s rec- Predicting disaster displacement ommendations were broadly referenced during UNHCR’s We also added new sources of displacement data, includ- months of 2017 surpassed the number of persons newly drivers and longer-term implications of displacement, as thematic discussions on the Global Compact on Refugees. ing hazard monitoring and analysis of Facebook disaster displaced over the entirety of 2016. With more frequent well as its immediate humanitarian consequences. Media citations of IDMC’s data and analysis also hit an all- data, to paint a comprehensive picture of internal displace- updates, we enable operational actors to respond to IDP time high, with more than 2,000 mentions in 2017. ment. We improved our Global Disaster Displacement Risk crises in a more efficient and targeted manner. Putting internal displacement on the agenda Model, which enables policy and operational decision-mak- The most significant challenge that IDMC faced in 2017 Increased relevance ers to estimate how much disaster displacement may occur Researching causes and implications was the lack of political will and limited international and IDMC’s work is as relevant as ever. We continue to expand, in the future by sudden-onset hazards. If linked with hazard We engaged with the London School of Economics and national attention to the issue of internal displacement. We engaging in new initiatives and forums in our efforts to ele- forecasting, the model could enable us and our partners the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis to recognise that this needs to be addressed in various ways vate the issue of internal displacement on the international to issue early warnings about displacement, resulting in research the economic impacts of internal displacement. that include engaging with the UN system, as has been agenda. life-saving pre-emptive evacuations. We subsequently pub- Our work aims to propose the first standardised framework traditionally done over the years, as well as through building lished our Global Disaster Displacement Risk report, which to quantitatively assess the short and long-term costs of new and sustained relationships with countries and key In May, we published our flagship annual 2017 Global frames displacement through the lens of risk, rather than internal displacement on local, national and regional econo- stakeholders through bilateral engagement and outreach. Report on Internal Displacement (GRID), reporting 31.1 something to be addressed only after displacement has mies. Demonstrating the economic costs internal displace- million new cases of internal displacement. We subse- occurred. By viewing displacement from this angle, we use ment has on national governments and host communities In 2018, IDMC will work to increase national incentives and quently launched our research agenda with the publication our model to advocate for greater investment in targeted can lead to increased political will to address and reduce political engagement on the issue of internal displacement. of our thematic series titled The Invisible Majority. In both measures to build resilience and reduce the risk of future displacement. Furthermore, by revealing where humanitarian As part of our commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the GRID and this series, we highlight the importance to: displacement. and development investment can have the greatest impact, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and of (1) build a common dataset that encompasses all types of the study will contribute to ensure that the limited resourc- IDMC itself, we will extend support for the convening of a displacement, (2) map the drivers and processes of onward More frequent updates es available to address internal displacement are invested series of Displacement Dialogues and support state-led movement across borders, and (3) monitor cross-border In addition to expanding the scale of displacement monitor- toward achieving durable solutions. discussions, which offer countries affected by internal returns and the risk of future and protracted displacement. ing, we began responding to our users’ requests for more displacement the space to openly exchange information. timely updates. We published biweekly internal displace- IDMC also kicked off new research to develop a baseline Additionally, we will jointly identify common challenges, In January, IDMC crowdsourced the development of the ment dispatches to provide updates on the most important understanding on internal displacement linked with criminal concerns and ideas for solutions to displacement. Internal Displacement Event Tagging Extraction and Classi- stocks, flows and situations of displacement reported in a and gang violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. fication Tool (IDETECT) to detect population movements by given period. For the first time, we also published internal extracting displacement information from news databases. displacement mid-year figures from January to June 2017, We closed the year with the release and launch of our 2017 IDETECT works in real time, meaning that we were able to which allowed IDMC to shed light on certain rapidly dete- Africa Report on Internal Displacement, which highlights the collect, analyse and report on more incidents of displace- riorating crises. For example, in the Democratic Republic severity of the continent’s continuing displacement crisis ment in a more timely and responsive manner. With this tool, of Congo, the one million new displacements in the first six and calls for a new approach that addresses the structural

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 80 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 81 ​ PROMOTING COORDINATION

AND NEW WAYS OF WORKING Photo: Ida Sem Fossvik/NORCAP

NORCAP is a global provider of expertise to the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors. We build partnerships with international organisations and national actors to protect lives, rights and livelihoods.

Throughout 2017, NORCAP supported the humanitarian, Republic of Congo, the complex crisis affecting the Lake CashCap expert Jimena Maria Peroni Galli looking out over an area of Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh. development and peacebuilding sectors to respond to Chad Basin, hurricane Irma in the Caribbean and recurring needs on the ground. Through our provision of experienced droughts in Africa. and skilled personnel, we help our partners save lives, build to authorities in sectors such as food security, energy and humanitarian agency is leading the coordination on cash. resilient communities, ensure peaceful transitions from In the space of just a few months last year, more than humanitarian affairs. A critical need in climate services is Against this backdrop, the CashCap experts’ neutrality and conflict and promote sustainable governance. 600,000 people fled extreme violence in Myanmar. We coordination of initiatives. Our experts have contributed to independence from agency-specific agendas, has been a mobilised quickly to support the refugee response in Bang- the development of national frameworks and action plans in critical element for the success of the deployments. Today, conflict and insecurity, poverty and weak institutions ladesh. We deployed 24 experienced men and women with seven countries in the Sahel. An external evaluation in 2017 create complex, long-lasting and recurrent crises. These are the skills needed to set up camps and provide shelter and concluded that the programme constituted a highly relevant In Yemen, CashCap experts helped set up a working group only exacerbated by natural hazards and climate change. protection to those seeking safety across the border. Our response to the challenges of disaster risk reduction, ex- to coordinate organisations implementing cash program- Lack of capacity and coordination impede national and experts have been instrumental in supporting coordination treme weather events and climate change. ming and to position it as a strategic mechanism for support international actors’ ability to address problems consistently between agencies and between sectors responding to the to the humanitarian country team. The experts supported and effectively. We see a shortage of qualified personnel to emergency. Due to their seniority, they have also contribut- We also worked to strengthen the role of local actors in an evidence-based approach to the up-scaling of cash, and implement projects, provide technical expertise, undertake ed to capacity building and the mentoring of younger staff. crisis management, to ensure ownership and sustainability. trained local and international staff. Cash is now consid- unbiased analysis and coordinate assistance. Often, nation- We trained and worked with Greek migration authorities ered a key activity for many agencies. With INGO and UN al and local stakeholders, including governments, do not Strengthening capacity of national and local actors to strengthen their capacity for dignified reception and colleagues, the experts took part in efforts to negotiate with have the capacity to play a prominent role in crisis manage- There is a growing recognition that humanitarian, devel- protection of asylum seekers and migrants. We are devel- financial service providers and banks on the exchange rate ment. Nor are they able to meet their international obliga- opment and peacebuilding actors need to collaborate to oping a partnership with civil society organisations in the provided to humanitarian agencies. As a result, the central tions in terms of human rights and sustainable governance. address acute needs and reduce underlying vulnerabilities. Lake Chad Basin, to support frontline responders to the bank announced a floating exchange rate, effectively cutting This demands a new way of working. With the integration of humanitarian crisis. In Somalia, we worked to strengthen the costs of aid by nearly 30 per cent. In an effort to address these challenges, NORCAP provided the Norwegian Resource Bank for Democracy and Human capacity within key authorities, to respond to the challenges expert personnel and collaborated with international organi- Rights (NORDEM), NORCAP is even better equipped to facing the country. It is important that the experts we deploy Due to lack of funding, CashCap has not been able to sations and national partners to identify capacity needs and enhance collaboration across the humanitarian, develop- work alongside local and national staff to create trust and provide experts in as many crises as desired. In addition, establish common goals and projects. Given their inde- ment and peacebuilding sectors. In 2017, we joined forces common objectives. donors are often reluctant to support capacity building pendence from operational and sector interests, our experts with the UN’s Secretary General’s executive office, to sup- projects. Nevertheless, investing in capacity building is are well positioned to promote more effective ways of port the UN’s reform agenda. The initiative aims to improve Increasing the use of cash in humanitarian response crucial to the delivery of high quality cash programmes that working. During the year, they helped increase coordination the efficiency of the UN system in pursuing common goals. The Cash Learning Partnership’s The State of the World’s are more systematic, coordinated and in line with the Grand between agencies and sectors, and encouraged new and On the ground, our deployments contributed to building Cash Report shows that only 40 per cent of organisations Bargain commitments. innovative approaches. bridges between emergency response and longer-term have the capacity needed to implement cash transfer efforts, to improve resilience and preparedness. programmes. The coordination of these programmes Improving crisis response is ad hoc and barriers to effective coordination are not NORCAP KEY FIGURES 2017 To improve crisis response, we provided expertise to To reduce needs, risks and vulnerability over time, NOR- adequately addressed. Cash and markets programming We provided 543 deployments partners in the UN system and other responders. NORCAP CAP has increasingly focused on strengthening capacity of was one of NORCAP’s focus areas in 2017. Through our Our experts worked 230 person-years experts were deployed on more than 540 missions, working national and local actors. In 2017, we continued improving specialised CashCap project, we deployed senior experts We supported 40 organisations in areas such as protection, coordination, camp manage- climate services across Africa. Our experts have helped to 20 countries. They improved coordination on cash and We worked in 77 countries ment, resilience, community engagement and accountabili- regional centres and national meteorological offices in East trained UN agencies in how to develop and implement We recruited 126 new experts ty. We responded to the worsening crisis in the Democratic Africa provide more timely and relevant climate information cash programmes. There is still lack of clarity as to which

NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 82 NRC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PAGE 83 REFERENCES ACRONYMS To preserve the flow of text, this volume does not spell out frequently used acronyms in every chapter. People in need of humanitarian assistance: The source for numbers of people in need is the Humanitarian Needs Overview (2017), except for: ORGANISATIONS 1. Eritrea. Number of out of school-children. UNESCO (2015). 2. Kenya. Number of people in need of food assistance. Kenya Humanitarian Situation Report. BCG Boston Consulting Group UNICEF (July, 2017). DEVCO European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development 3. Tanzania. Statistics report. UNHCR (November, 2017). DFID UK Department for International Development 4. Uganda. Number of total refugees and asylum seekers. Situation updates. UNHCR (December, 2017). ECHO Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 5. Colombia. Number of people in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian Dashboard. OCHA (June 2017). FAO Food and Agriculture Organization 6. Honduras. Number of people in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian trends and risks for 2017. FCO Foreign & Commonwealth Office Crisis overview. ACAPS (2016). GAC Global Affairs Canada 7. Iran. An estimated number from UNHCR and ‘Amayesh IX’ statistics from the Government of Iran based on GIZ German Society for International Cooperation registered Afghan refugees, passport holders and undocumented Afghans (2015). IDMC Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre 8. Greece. Estimates of refugees and migrants. UNHCR (December, 2017). ILO International Labour Organization 9. Jordan. Total people of concern. UNHCR (December, 2017). KfW Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (German Development Bank) 10. Lebanon. Lebanon crisis response plan 2017 – 2020 (2018 update). NMFA Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Government of Lebanon and the United Nations, (January, 2018). NORAD Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation 11. Turkey. Number of Syrian refugees in the scope of temporary protection. NORCAP Norwegian Capacity, NRC’s expert deployment capacity The Government of Turkey’s Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) (2017). NRC Norwegian Refugee Council OCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OFDA Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance PRM US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency UN United Nations UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency WFP United Nations World Food Programme

TERMS

AEP accelerated education programme BLP better learning programme GBV gender-based violence HEAT hostile environment awareness training HLP housing, land and property ICLA information, counselling and legal assistance IDPs internally displaced people INGO international non-governmental organisation M&E monitoring and evaluation MYHF multi-year humanitarian financing NGO non-governmental organisation WASH water, sanitation and hygiene promotion

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