, 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

VENUE Skype Meeting DATE AND TIME Thursday 25th June, 2020, 14:00 – 16:00 pm PARTICIPANTS ACF, Al-Aghsan Foundation, Al-Ghad-League for women & child care, Arbeiter- Samariter-Bund (ASB), AVSI, Basmeh and Zietooneh, Bishkoreen, Caritas Czech Republic, Caritas Iraq, CNSF, Cordaid, CRS, DRC, EL Sub Cluster - Dohuk & Ninewa, Fraternité en Irak, FRC, GIZ, UNDP (LADP, ICRRP), GOAL, Hilfe Zur Selbsthilfe e.v, HRF, Human Appeal, IOM, Iraq Health Access Organization (IHAO), IRC, Malteser International, Mercy Corps, Mercy Hands, Mission East, MSI, Near East Foundation, NRC, OXFAM, PAO, Pcat, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), Polish Humanitarian Action (PHA), Preemptive Love, Prosperity Catalyst, QRCS, REACH, Rwanga Foundation, Tearfund, Triangle Generation Humanitaire, UNHCR, UPP, Wand Alkhair Human Organization (WAHO), WFP, WfWI, Women Empowerment Organization (WEO), Women for Women International, World Vision, WRO, ZOA

Agenda DISCUSSION ACTION POINTS MEETING • 14:00 – 14:15 Opening and introduction AGENDA • 14:15 – 14:30 Governorate level key updates • 14:30 – 14:50 Partner key updates • 14:50 – 15:10 HRF presentation: EL project during COVID-19 • 15:10 – 15:20 COVID-19 response update • 15:20 – 15:50 SOPs: asset replacement, business incubation, cash for work, job placement, vocational training • 15:50 – 15:55 AoBs

Round of updates from the sub-clusters (Suly, Dohuk, and Baghdad) (*All sub-cluster contact details at end of minutes document)

Key talking points: • & North Ninawa: The lockdown has been relaxed and activities have been slowly commenced. Activities needs to have permission from governor. For Ninawa activities still need governor permission. Duhok livelihoods sub-cluster meeting will be held in the course of upcoming weeks. Board of Relief and Humanitarian Affairs (BRHA) has been dissolved and has been handed over to JCC and governor office is handling access permission for now. • Ninawa: Security has been calm during the last months. Critical activities were allowed in coordination with JCMC as lockdown is in action until 5th of July. Organizations have anticipated access issues due to increase of Covid-19 cases. Sub-cluster meeting was held last month led by WV international as an online meeting. • Kirkuk: Tearfund will end programming in July and will be handing over coordination of Kirkuk sub- cluster. Sub-cluster meeting was held last month and activities, covid-19 cluster and restrictions were discussed. Statement of interest for sub-cluster coordinator will be shared with partners working in Kirkuk. Please use this link to submit your organisation’s interest for Kirkuk sub-cluster coordination.

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Erbil, Iraq 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

• Salahuddin: The sub-cluster held a meeting with 8 partners participating. Curfew was imposed for the past month. Humanitarian workers had to issue permission letter for their activities. Coordination between partners were discussed in the sub-cluster meeting. Access issues are highlighted as only life saving activities are now allowed in the governorate. ILO labor market assessment is being undertaken in Salahuddin. • : First sub-cluster meeting was held in Sulaymaniyah this month through skype after 5 months. Few numbers of NGOs have paused their activities and majority of NGOs have shifted their training activities to online activities. Some NGOs have shifted their activities to help with the health system and pandemic related challenges. Sulaymaniyah sub-cluster to share methods and guidelines being performed in line with covid-19 restriction as an adaptation to programming and activity implementation.

Partner updates and presentations:

➢ Caritas Czech Republic: Project Name: IR17: Improve living conditions and support livelihoods for vulnerable returnees and host communities, Location: Anbar, District, End date: August, Modality: Cash for Work/ Asset Replacement, Target Group: Returnees, IDP and host community, Project Name: IR18: Support Sustainable Livelihood and Income Generating Opportunities for vulnerable returnees. Ninawa: , Bartlella, Nimrud, End date: December, Modality: Business Support Package / Asset Replacement and creation, Target group: Returnees.

➢ ACF: Project #1: Location; Duhok, district Duration: 13 months (November 2019 to December 2020), modalities; Business grants and apprenticeship (with PSS component), Target Group (Direct 90 host community, 50 IDPs and 30 Returnees). Project #2: location; Ninawa, and Qayara districts. Duration; 12 months (September 2019 to September 2020). Modalities; Business grants and apprenticeship (with PSS component). Target Group (Direct 43 host community and 43 IDPs). Project #3; Location; Ninawa, Sinjar districts, Sinune sub-district. Duration; 6 months (July 2020 to December 2020). CFW, reforestation and assets provision (Nutrition sensitive approach). Target Group (250 of returnee and 70 IDPs). Project #4 (at proposal signing stage). Location; , Al-Qurnah and Al-Dair districts. Duration 6 months (July 2020 to February 2021). CFW, Agriculture assets rehabilitation and business grants. Target Group (1,240 host community)

➢ CARITAS Iraq. Location; in area called darkar... our project is small grants and our targets are the people at age from 20 to 40 ... and the percentage is for IDPS 75% and 25% is for the host community. and it’s for period of 6 months and we are working in health agreements with the governmental officials. Anbar – Saqlauia in 2020/ project duration 2018- 2021/ IDP / we gave livestock training for (124) beneficiary. Updates for June 2020. We followed up the ones we paid (40) ben., keeping the social distancing and wearing masks and using sanitizers, and by calling them and give them the advices about covid-19 and giving them brochures coordinating with Anbar Health Management. We registered new ben. This month for new Livestock activity. In July we'll train youth on carpentry, welding, electricity establishments, water pipes work etc. so in the future we can employ them in our shelter project, and they'll gain money and experience. we'll train them in their houses for not gathering large groups, 2

Erbil, Iraq 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

this will cost us more time, effort and money but will be safer, also by using sanitizers, masks and social distancing.

➢ Near East Foundation: Location; Salah Al Din and Diyala. Duration; Two years. Project name; Building Resilient Livelihood Program. Target; 540 beneficiary per year so the total is 1080 for the two years, 378 (IDPs/Returnees) and 162 (Host community)

➢ Preemptive Love Coalition: currently conducting two projects in KRI, one for small business grants provision targeting 100 beneficiaries (IDPs, Refugees), second is business empowerment project which ends on January and will be extended for three months, the project is funded by GIZ.

➢ Mission East: is providing income generation trainings in Khansor and Sinjar city for youth. Target is 250 youth. In and Hamdaniya, Mission East is providing employability training skills and 4 months job placement program. Target is 50 youth. We are open to referrals in Mosul, Hamdaniya and Sinjar if anyone is interested in sending referrals please get in touch with me. Assessments will start beginning July via phone calls.

➢ FRC: Project location: Erbil, Duhok, Zakho. Project duration: Dec 2016 to 30 August 2020. Livelihood modality: Vocational Training, Business grants and asset replacement, apprenticeship. Target Group: 400 including Syrian refugees, IDPs and Host. Update of June: 32 previous apprenticeship beneficiaries were selected across the three locations, trained in business skills and supported to develop their business plans in March before the curfew started. In June we reconnected with them and supported them to identify shops, and we plan to distribute the business grants next week. We also redirected some of our budget to provide MPCA to 247 beneficiaries based on CWG guidance and provided emergency business support grants to protect businesses set up by the project to 113 existing small business beneficiaries.

➢ OXFAM: in Anbar is doing CFW activities in Falujha on three schemes by engaging 81 beneficiaries, including skilled, unskilled and supervisors. 2- we have got the letter from MOH to conduct trainings to smaller groups and first group of 8 people will start their training on 29th next week. community based saving groups we are forming 3 groups have been formed in flujha and shuhadaa. AFKAR- OXFAM partner- doing vulnerability assessment at field level to distribute MPCA in Ramadi. Location; Salah Al Din “Oxfam completed MPCA activities at field level, it was the last activity in the project for 336HHs in and Albo Hayazi’ village in . Under BMZ project OXFAM along in partnership of SSDF did one- week training of the (Household Economic Analysis) with consultant remotely. This study covering three districts in Salah Al-Din (, Tikrit and Baiji). Two teams from SSDF and OXFAM started immediately the data collection of the study and it still ongoing, expected to finish by the last week of the month.

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➢ Prosperity Catalyst: We provide economic empowerment for women and youth. Our project provides technical training, business training and toolkits for business with potential to grow. We also provide legal and PSS to participants of the project. During last period we have delivered the technical training to 550 people in Erbil, Duhok, Mosul, Hilla, Thiqar, . Due to the Corona Virus issue we have shifted our mission online and we’re delivering the business training online.

➢ Women for Women International: location; Erbil, Duhok. Duration; one year. Modality; Business training, and vocational training Target group are vulnerable women. We have been providing online classes through WhatsApp and Viber groups.

➢ Preemptive Love: Location: Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Dohuk, Mosul. Livelihood Modality: The program assists IDPS, Refugees, Host Communities. Work Well is job training and workforce building program. We have lately shifted our trainings to virtual training due to COVID-19 since June 7, 2020. Location: Sulaymaniyah. Duration: 12 Months. Project Type: Cash for Work. Beneficiaries: Refugees, we hire refugee makers to make artisan products that are sold locally and internationally. We are during preparing for a shipment abroad, so we have made product orders from refugee makers who are working from home at this time. Location: Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Mosul. Duration: 12 Months, Project Type: Cash grants and business coaching. Beneficiaries: Refugees, IDPs, returnees, and host community. We have been able to work with a few people to open new businesses in this time based around lock downs, social distancing, and movement; but we are mostly enrolling potential business owners and following up/coaching business owners we have been working with since last year.

➢ NRC: Project location: Kirkuk (), Ninawa and Tuz. Project duration: 3 years. Livelihood modality: This project to help the returnees and the people of the targeted area to start up again (most of the population working in Agriculture). Regarding to Covid-19 crisis: NRC distributed cash for food to 1963 HHs in Hawija and Tuz districts, Also AMAL program started and currently the teams doing assessment in the villages of the area on different levels to identify the most vulnerable area.

➢ Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB): Project Location: . Project Duration: August 2018 - August 2021. Livelihood Modality: 1) cash grants, 2) business trainings, 3) vocational trainings. Target Group: returnee 1) 64 beneficiaries (22 achieved) 2) 64 beneficiaries (22 achieved) 3) 32 beneficiaries: 16 trainers- small business owners, 16 trainees (16 achieved).

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Erbil, Iraq 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

➢ Mercy Hands: Project Location: Salah Al-Din Governorate; Shirqat and Baiji Districts; Markaz Al-Shirqat and Markaz Baiji sub-districts; Shirqat and Baiji Canters. Project Duration: 14 months. Livelihood Modality: CfW, Vocational Training, small business and cash4 training. Target Group Total Number: 1,041.

➢ Peace Winds Japan (PWJ): Location: Syrian Refugee Camps in Erbil (Kawergosk, Darashakran, Qushtapa, Basirma). Duration: CfW payments to start in July and continue in August 2020. Part of a shelter upgrade project that targets 674 refugee households in Erbil camps (shelter project duration Sep.2019-Aug.2020). Livelihood. Modality: CfW for refugee laborers hired to upgrade shelters. Target: Syrian refugees’ residents of Erbil camps, min. 1,348 refugees as CfW beneficiaries (paid workdays per beneficiary varies).

➢ IHAO: our safe return project is in Hamdaniya, Bashiaq and Sinjar, this project started form the last year and going to continue up to the end of December2020. it affects the returnees and the host community. now we are continuing our Vocational training online using the Zoom platform also our livelihood officers started the selection process of the beneficiaries that going to be enrolled in a business training that will start after the first week in July. after that certain grants will be given to them to start their own business.

➢ CRS: Location; Ninawa plain. Project Duration June 2018 to September 2020. Livelihood Modality (Entrepreneurship and Work readiness), Target Group is returnee, Target group for Y2 are 149 participants from 5 locations in Ninawa plains (43 in Telskuf, 27 in Telkeif, 18 in Qaraqosh, 23 in Bertella, and 38 in Bashiqa). CRS also has continued its livelihoods restoration and new livelihoods activities, after making adaptations for COVID situation:

➢ Mercy Corps: Project Location: Sulaymaniyah (REVIVE & YIELDS), Erbil (REVIVE & YIELDS), Salah Aldin (MADAD & TAGHIR), and Mosul (PERMA). Project Duration: Varies per program. Livelihood Modality: Business Grants, Job Placements, Training, and Assessments (some modalities changed to COVID-19 responses like CFW and PPE Distribution). Target Group: Varies per program.

➢ Al-Aghsan Foundation for Agricultural and Environment Development: is implementing an 18-month livelihood project in Ninawa (mainly in Ba’sheqa, Bartella, Sherekhan, Qubba, Rashediyia) to enhance livelihood and food security in the targeted areas. The project targeting most vulnerable families from different ethnicities, and religions with focus on women 70% (female headed households). Yet, up to 170 direct beneficiaries reached in addition to 2200 indirect. The main inputs include supporting these families with basic tools and materials to set their own green houses, providing fertilizers, seeds…etc, digging artesian wells, introducing farmers into modern techniques of irrigation systems, marketing. In addition, awareness raising sessions have been given to local community about COVID 19. 5

Erbil, Iraq 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

The people were so happy and satisfied with their crops during the last harvesting seasons in last winter (6 tons of vegetables per green house as average). The project is implemented in close coordination with local authorities, community leaders, and local offices of agriculture and water resources at these areas.

➢ AVSI: Project Location: Hamdaniya district - Project duration: 18 months (Oct '19 - Mar' 21) - Livelihood modality: CFW, Provision of livestock, fodder and vocational training - Target group: 35 farms + 10 CfW beneficiaries.

➢ WFP: our activities will be implemented by our partner Mercy Hands, in Salah al Din we have an activity Home Gardens is in process of registration in Al-Alam & Al-Buajel the registration started on 24 June 2020 and will continue next week the target is 200 HHs. the second activity is Irrigation canals cleaning (CFW) (433 KM. length) in Ishaqi, , Yathrb and Shekh Jameel, the activity will start on October, November and December 2020. we have an activity Cash for Training (target 200) and Cash for Assets in Sammara, Dijla, Moatasm and Awinat will start on mid of August 2020.

➢ Al-Ghad-league for women and childcare: Project Location: Kirkuk-laylan1 IDP camp. Project Duration: 8 months. Livelihood Modality: small business development training. Target Group: Total Number:200 beneficiary %60 female and %40 males

➢ Human Appeal: Location: Akre, Summel, Zakho Districts of Duhok. Duration: 31/08/2019 to 30/09/2020. Modality: Cash for Work Engaging 585 Cash for Work Workers (Skilled and semi-Skilled) focusing on Solid waste management and renovation of public parks and schools. Target Group: 207 IDPs, 75 Refugees, and 303 Host communities. Today, the cash distribution of UNDP funded Cash for Work project participants entitlement have resumed. And first cash out has started in Summel district by distributing cash to 49 cash for work participants (IQD 22,386,000), following the Cash distribution SOPs with additional measures adopted as per COVID-19 project activities requirement.

➢ WRO: Project Location: Zakho, Koya, and Mosul, Project Duration: Sep 2019 - Sep 2020, Livelihood Modality: Vocational training, Target Group: 360 (IDPs, HC, and Refugees).

➢ IOM: Project Location: Babylon, Baghdad, Karbala, , Salah Ad Din, Diyala, Erbil, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Anbar, Basra, Missan, Thiqar, Ninewa, Dohuk. Project Duration: Varies (6-24 month). Livelihood Modality: Individual livelihoods assistance (VT, Business Support Package, OJT). Target Group: 2,633 returnee, host community, IDPs and 225 refugees. These beneficiaries will also receive 1-4 days Business Development Training depending upon the type of livelihoods services they qualify for.

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Erbil, Iraq 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

➢ IRC: Project location: Falluja district. Project duration: 1 Sep 2019 to 30 August 2020. Livelihood modality: Business grants and asset replacement, apprenticeship. Target Group: 225 including returnees, IDPs and Host. Update of June: the IRC enrolled 60 female clients for online business trainings for 9 days that will follow with support grants.

➢ PHA: Project Location: Dohuk and Naniwa ( Hassan sham U2, Hassan sham U3, Khazir M1 and Mamilyan IDPs Camp. Project Duration: 16th April 2020 to 31st March 2021. Livelihood Modality: Cash for Work. Location: Mamilyan IDPs camp. Target group: IDPs inside camp. Total CFW Targeted are 42 casual laborers on daily basis (Rotational every 3 months). Targeted Age is 18-50.

Partner Presentation: HRF EL project during COVID-19

HRF presented their programme adaptations, challenges, and their approach to respond to livelihoods needs in light of COVID-19 restrictions. More can be found in the presentation slides shared with this document.

COVID-19 response update: Ground Truth Solutions in partnership with Iraq Information Center has conducted a survey, through remote data collection via phone interviews in Anbar, Erbil, Ninawa, Salahuddin, Duhok and Sulaymaniyah to better understand the needs and challenges caused by COVID-19 and the socio- economic impact. Some of the findings are: ➢ Difficulties in meeting the basic needs from the vulnerable groups. ➢ Lockdown and curfew reduced economic activities and affected small businesses and individual income. ➢ Cash consortium reported increase of pricing of basic life items and food. ➢ Almost half of the participant have indicated that they’re not able to meet their basic needs. ➢ Half of the participants are indicating requirement for more information and knowledge on covid-19 awareness. The survey is shared with this document, which includes more detailed information.

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Erbil, Iraq 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

SOPs: Asset replacement, business incubation, cash for work, job placement, vocational training • Asset Replacement: Tools have been developed and are waiting for partners to participate. The issue is raised with national emergency livelihoods cluster. • CfW: Four meeting has been completed and some meetings were postponed. Ten active organizations were participating in the review process. The draft is ready and reviewed and will be shared with livelihoods cluster. • Job Placement: Had only one meeting and no updates available. • VT: 30 members were participated in the revision divided by 5 groups. The members had regular bi-weekly meeting on the activities. Each group was responsible on a specific content of the revision. Due to covid-19 some members dropped, and meetings were difficult to be done face to face. The draft has been shared with ELC coordinators. The details of the SOP group activities are available in the meeting slides. AOBs : • A new cluster coordinator will be joining mid-July and will be introduced to partners over the course of next meetings. • Partners are required to actively participate in filling activity info and any request for technical support can be directed to Sameer emergency livelihoods information management officer. • Kirkuk Sub-cluster coordinator position is vacant, and partners can register their interest in the google form below.

Call for Kirkuk sub-cluster coordinator Information management presentation: - Cluster partners can use the following link to see the ActivityInfo: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiYjQxYzE3MjMtNGMxNy00ZjdjLTg4MjEtODIwMTQyNmM1NDZ iIiwidCI6ImIzZTVkYjVlLTI5NDQtNDgzNy05OWY1LTc0ODhhY2U1NDMxOSIsImMiOjh9

Cluster Emergency Livelihoods Cluster Coordinator (a.i): Contact Info: Mitchell McTough ([email protected]) T: +964 (0) 7507389942 Emergency Livelihoods Co-Cluster Coordinator: Deborah Reesink ([email protected]) T: +964 (0) 751 801 4307 Information Management Officer (IMO): Sameer Qader ([email protected]) T: +964 0750 475 05 67, Skype: samirizzat General Cluster Email: [email protected]

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Erbil, Iraq 25/06/2020 Emergency Livelihoods 2020 National Cluster Meeting #4 Meeting Minutes

Sub Cluster Chopi Samal Jalal, Sulaymaniyah Emergency Livelihoods Sub-Cluster Coordinator, contact info: [email protected], +964 (0) 771 747 8887

Hilary Motsiri, Kirkuk Emergency Livelihoods Sub-cluster Coordinator, [email protected], +964 (0) 751 158 4802

Tauqeer Ahmad, Baghdad Emergency Livelihoods Sub-cluster Coordinator, [email protected], +964 (0) 772 775 3048

Rizwan Qazi, Mosul City Emergency Livelihoods Sub-cluster Coordinator, [email protected], +964 (0) 075 1745 0469

Amman Ali, Salahuddin Emergency Livelihoods Sub-cluster Coordinator, [email protected], +964 (0) 077 3694 2822

Abbas Al Soudany, Diyala Emergency Livelihoods Sub-cluster Coordinator, [email protected], +964 (0) 7702 236 770

9 MEETING #4 – 25 JUNE 2020 SKYPE HOUSE RULES

1) Mute yourself if you're not talking 2) Don't use the camera 3) Introduce yourself with name, organization and role in the Skype Chatbox 4) Preferable no speakerphones INTRODUCTION Emergency Livelihoods Cluster Team

Cluster Coordinator a.i: Mitchell McTough – UNDP [email protected]

Co-Cluster Coordinator: Deborah Reesink – ZOA [email protected]

General Cluster Email: [email protected] INTRODUCTION Sub-Cluster Coordination Team

Anbar Sub-Cluster Co-Coordinator: Gull Sadia Altaf – OXFAM [email protected] Baghad Sub-Cluster Coordinator: Tauqeer Ahmad – OXFAM [email protected] Dahuk / Ninewa Sub-Cluster Coordinator: Ashis Kundu – GOAL [email protected] Kirkuk Sub-Cluster Coordinator: Hilary Motsiri – TearFund [email protected] Mosul Sub-Cluster Coordinator: Rizwan Qazi – DRC [email protected] Salahaddin Sub-Cluster Coordinator: Amman Ali – OXFAM [email protected] Sulaymaniah Sub-Cluster Coordinator: Chopi Samal Jalal – Mercy Corps [email protected] AGENDA

14:00 – 14:15 Opening and introduction 14:15 – 14:30 Governorate level key updates 14:30 – 14:50 Partner key updates 14:50 – 15:10 Partner Presentation: Human Relief Foundation (HRF) 15:10 – 15:20 COVID-19 response update 15:20 – 15:50 SOPs: asset replacement, business incubation, cash for work, job placement, vocational training 15:50 – 15:55 AoB GOVERNORATE LEVEL KEY UPDATES

• Anbar • Baghdad • Dahuk and Ninewa • Kirkuk • Mosul • Salahaddin • Sulaymaniyah PARTNER KEY UPDATES PARTNER PRESENTATION

HRF presentation: EL project during COVID-19 HRF Covid-19 Project Adaptations and Best Practices

IR Introduction to Human Relief Foundation

o HRF has been operating in Iraq since 1991 o Our earliest activities involved the provision of emergency aid during the First Gulf War o Along with Shelter and Nutrition our main focus in Iraq is to improve communities’ access to income generating opportunities and financial self-reliance through Livelihoods activities

Recent Livelihoods Activities with UNDP include: o Cash for Work in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah governorates o Provision of Business Grants and ROSCA Savings Groups in Salah al-Din

Tailoring workshop in Karama IDPs camp (North of Tikrit) Covid-19 Challenges

o Region-wide lockdown imposed by the KRG since mid of March resulted in the suspension of activities for the month of March and April. o Recent increase of Covid-19 cases will delay future Cash for Work activities planned in Erbil. o Procurement was on hold due to the lockdown and border closures, due to the unavailability of the items in the markets. o Cash liquidity issue in banks and HAWALA (Money Transfer Agency) companies has effected the payments for April and May. o HRF Livelihoods Field officers in Salah al-Din found that unemployment shot up in mid- March and into the first week of April (5th). o Informal workers and the most vulnerable groups in the Tooz sub-district Suleiman beg and Balad sub-districts were especially at risk. Covid-19 Challenges

Specific to HRF’s Business Grant and ROSCA Savings Group activities in Salah al-Din, potential challenges included: o Poor monitoring of livelihood business projects – PDM. o Reduced coaching, mentoring capacities due to access constraints of relevant personnel. o Sale of business assets and improper use of grants disbursements. o Lack of social distance events ROSCA sessions cycle participation and distributions rotation. o Lack of movements and access severity (JCMC stopped issued facilitating letters due to Covid-19). Covid-19 Mitigation Response

Due to Covid-19 and the country-wide curfews and movement restrictions which forced project activities to be suspended until further notice, HRF created a new methodology to ensure that all activities were running as per the timeline, after coordination with donor and project stakeholders in the area of interventions.

Salah al-Din Programmatic Measures Taken

HRF established a digital communication platform through WhatsApp with business owners in each location. Field Officers and M&E team created the WhatsApp group after approval from project beneficiaries to ensure that all beneficiaries followed up on the work plan and contract agreements. The aim was to encourage the beneficiaries on how to use business grants in the right way and continue sharing experiences among each other.

HRF’s Project Manager coordinated with field partners through the Livelihoods sub-cluster and Protection workgroups to help ensure that partners who provided MPCA activities would immediately cover their affected communities’ basic needs. Covid-19 Mitigation Response

Salah al-Din Programmatic Measures Taken

When JCMC stopped issuing facilitating letters due to COVID-19, HRF connected with OCHA’s focal point through Salah Al-Din General Coordination Meeting (GCM) in order to raise this issue with the local authorities and emergency cell. OCHA immediately created access severity Focus Group Discussion with partners to understand the gaps in movement and lack of coordination. Once the FGD was conducted HRF and other NGOs obtained facilitation letters for the continuity of work activities in accordance with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health guidelines.

For ROSCA savings groups sessions and grant distributions, HRF followed the WHO and MoH guidelines regarding social distancing, as well as providing face masks, gloves, and sterilizers/disinfectant to each beneficiary during the sessions after coordination with the local authority in the areas of intervention.

HRF also provided remote induction training activities through WhatsApp and zoom., including health, and hygiene precautions to be maintained before any activities. In addition, the Livelihoods team coordinated with HRF’s emergency response team to provide hygiene kits and hygiene awareness in the affected communities under the area of interventions. All activities were under coordination with the emergency cell of Salah al-Din governorate and the governor office coordination center. HRF’s Covid-19 Activities

Activities o Distributions of Ramadan food baskets and bread parcels in Erbil, Mosul, Baghdad and Tikrit o Total of 7,920 bread parcels containing 25 pieces of bread per family o Total of 670 food baskets containing rice, oil, dates, food paste, flour, bulgur, tea and 1 bag of dry milk and a fresh chicken o Total beneficiaries reached: 8,590 families (51,540 individuals)

Food distributions: maintaining social distancing between households; PPE for staff; separate entry and exit points HRF Covid-19 Activities

HRF’s Tikrit office responded to the needs of in-camp and out-of-camp families with:

500 families were targeted in the following areas: o Camps Karama for IDPs: 200 IDPs families (Hygiene Kits,NFIs, and Fis) o Tikrit, Al-Tahrir District: 200 families (Hygiene Kits, NFIs and Fis) o Tikrit, Al Basha Street: 100 families (Hygiene Kits, NFIs) o Hygiene Kits (NFIs) and awareness-raising sessions o Ramadan Food Pack o All beneficiaries were urged to use wash soaps and follow the Ministry of Health and WHO guidance to reduce the risk of COVID-19 related infections. o HRF’s Tikrit team - through the Livelihoods and Rapid Response Project - equipped the Karama IDPs camp (North of Tikrit) with a tailoring workshop consisting of six sewing machines and 18 lengths of fabric to meet the needs of the most affected families. Future Implications for Livelihoods Programming

The precise future implications of COVID-19 remain unclear, but they are likely to be long- term and significant.

In particular, the worldwide economic impact of the crisis is predicted to range from severe to catastrophic. This means that effective and dynamic livelihoods programming will be all the more important.

As part of any future Cash for Work projects, HRF will institutionalise COVID-19 Response activities, including hygiene awareness sessions, temperature checks and hygiene kit distributions.

Greater focus will be placed on the use of remote technologies for monitoring, cash distribution, accountability, and communications between and amongst field staff and beneficiaries.

HRF will continue to follow WHO, health ministry, and ELC cluster guidelines to reduce the risk of infection among staff and beneficiaries. Any Questions? COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE Round one: June 2020 COVID-19: perceptions of people in need in Iraq

Government curfews were instituted across Iraq in mid-March, two weeks after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Najaf city, south of Baghdad. By 12 June, there were 15,414 confirmed cases, and 426 people had died.¹ COVID-19 is compounding existing vulnerabilities for the country’s 250,000 refugees, 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the 4.6 million people who have returned to their areas of origin. Government and UN officials are concerned about the healthcare system’s capacity, weakened after decades of instability and conflict. Restrictions have impacted livelihoods, making it difficult to adhere to stay-at-home or social distancing policies. In April and May, as a service to responders and authorities, Ground Truth Solutions (GTS) – in partnership with the Iraq Information Centre (IIC) – conducted phone interviews in Arabic with 556 returnees, refugees, and IDPs across Anbar, Dahuk, Erbil, Ninewa, Salah al-Din, and Sulaymaniyah to gauge their perspectives on information needs and channels, behaviours, trust, and the economic impact of the virus. We found that:

• It has become more difficult for people to meet their basic needs. • Most people (79% of respondents) feel informed about how to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19, but half of all respondents still say they need more information about the virus. Some feel unable to separate fact from rumour.

• People find it difficult to shelter in place, wear facemasks, and practice social In partnership with: distancing.

Supported by:

H2H Catalysts for Change

1 WHO, “Iraq: WHO coronavirus disease (COVID-19) dashboard,” https://covid19.who.int/region/ emro/country/iq.

1 Information

The majority of survey respondents (79%) believe they are sufficiently informed about IDP (internally displaced person): refers how to protect themselves from COVID-19, thanks to health and humanitarian actors’ to someone who was displaced from their rapid action. In parallel to routine communication and dissemination of key messages subdistrict between 2014 and 2017, and who through the IIC and implementing agencies, in April a UNICEF-led campaign continues to reside in Iraq. reached nine million people across Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region (KRI) with Refugee: refers to someone who fled their mobile messaging on COVID-19 prevention.² A Facebook survey suggested this home and crossed an international border in campaign was working.³ order to seek protection in Iraq. All refugee However, when people are inundated with information, they may find it challenging respondents in this survey are Syrian nationals. to weed out rumours. Close to half (43%) of respondents say they are unable to distinguish between rumour and fact around the virus. Refugees and returnees find it Returnee: refers to a person who was more difficult than IDPs. People in Anbar and Erbil find it harder than those in other displaced between 2014 and 2017 but has governorates. We will be unpacking the reasons for this in our next survey. since returned to their sub-district in Iraq.

Are you able to separate rumours from facts around the Coronavirus? (n=556) Status

IDP in camp n=135 Note: in this report, error bars are included 21 58 21 representing the margin of error at the 95% IDP out of camp n=188 confidence level. A 95% confidence interval 19 66 14 is a representation of the spread of the data Refugee n=67 around the mean. A smaller confidence How31 has your ability to meet your basic needs changed since the virus55 started spreading in the world? 13 If/when you experienceinterval coronavirus indicates symptoms, what less do you variance think you would around do? the Returnee n=166 Go to health provider mean. If repeated57 samples were drawn, 95% Worsened 74 30 56 14 of those confidence intervals would include Who is your main source of information? // What source do you trust the most? ResultsCall health in %provider 26 News media the true population proportion. Social media No Yes Don’t know

Health providers No change 17 Self−isolation 12

Don' t know National governmentPeople may feel informed, but not about everything. Around half (49%) of respondents Nothing 4 UN/NGOs Binary Survey Responses Local governmentstill want more information on how to identify symptoms, treatment options, and the Improved 9 Family/friends locations of current cases. Other 1 Employer Binary Survey Responses Overall, do you believe the measures that have been introduced in your area will reduce the spread of the virus? Don' t want to answer 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 Do10 you have20 enough30 information40 on50 how to 60protect Percent Percent None (n=556) What do you need more information on in relation to the Coronavirus?* n = 556 n = 556 Religious groups Overall, do you believe the measures that haveDo been you haveintroduced enough in informationyour area will to reduceprotect theyourself spread from of the virus? yourself from the virus? (n=556) What do you need more information on in relation to the coronavirus? Why are these measures difficult for you? Community leaders

Community groups Nothing 49 Fear of missing aid 36 Nothing AreDo you you able have to separateenough information rumours from to protectfacts around yourself the from coronarvirus? the virus? 21 79 Other

50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Percent −40 −20 0 20 40 60 80 100 Don’t know Don' t know 15 Are you able to separate rumours from facts around the coronarvirus?Other 26 n = 556 Percent

What measures are most important? // What measures are most difficult? No YesNo Don't know Ye s −40 −20 0 20 40 60 80 100 IdentifyingIdentifying symptoms symptoms 11 Don' t know 13 Binary Survey Responses Hygiene practices Percent

No Don't know Ye s Staying indoors Treatment 8 Lack of enforcement 11 Treatment Overall, do you believe the measures that have been introduced in your area will reduce the spread of the virus? Social distancing Are you able to separate rumours from facts around

Wearing mask Access to information Don' t want to the Coronavirus? (n=556) Access to information 7 Do you have enough information to protect yourself from the virus?9 Wearing gloves 0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 Leaving home for critical tasks only Percent Percent Are youn = able 556 to separate rumours from facts around the coronarvirus? 28 15 57 n = 556 Crisis-affectedDon' t know What people measures are aremost important? relying // What on measures news, are mostsocial difficult? media, and health professionalsWho is your main source of information? // What source do you trust the most? −40 −20 0 20 40 60 80 100 Those at risk staying indoors ₄ Percent – theirHygiene most practices trusted sources overall49 – to get their6 information on the virus. FemalesNews media 49 40 appearOther to trust news media far more than other sources, while the trust gap between No Don’t know No Don'tYes know Ye s Don' t want to answer Staying indoors 43 29 Social media 19 11 news media50 and health40 providers30 is20 narrower10 among0 males.10 20 30 40 50 Percent Social distancing 43 7 Health providers n = 556 12 18 Who is your main sourceMain of information? information // What source source* do you trust the most? Trusted information source*

Wearing mask 33 10 Don' t know 5 9 News Newsmedia media 49 40

Wearing gloves 20 5 National government 3 6 Social mediaSocial media 19 11 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Percent Percent n = 556 n = 556 Health providersHealth providers 12 18

Don' tNews know media 5 9

National governmentNational government 3 6

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Percent n = 556*Percentages do not total 100 because respondents 2 WhatUNICEF, measures “Iraq: are most COVID-19 important? // Whatsituation measures report are most no. dif ficult?2” (28 April–11 May 2020), https://www.unicef.org/ could choose multiple options. iraq/media/1151/file/IRAQ%20Country%20Office%20COVID%20Sitrep%20Report%202.pdf. Hygiene practices 49 6 3 Health Cluster Iraq, “Health cluster bulletin no. 4” (April 2020), https://www.humanitarianresponse. Staying indoors info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/iraq_hq_bulletin4_april_2020.pdf.43 29 2 4 Ibid. Social distancing 43 7

Wearing mask 33 10

Wearing gloves 20 5

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 Percent n = 556 How has your ability to meet your basic needs changed since the virus started spreading in the world? If/when you experience coronavirus symptoms, what do you think you would do?

Go to health provider 57 Worsened 74

Call health provider 26

No change 17 Self−isolation 12

Nothing 4

Improved 9 Other 1

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Percent Percent n = 556 n = 556 What do you need more information on in relation to the coronavirus? Why are these measures difficult for you?

Nothing 49 Fear of missing aid 36

Don' t know 15 Other 26 Behaviour What measures do you find most Identifying symptoms 11 Don' t know 13 important to protect yourself from the Respondents say better hygiene, staying indoors, social distancing, and wearing a virus?* (n=556) Treatment 8 Lack of enforcement 11 facemask are the most important measures to prevent exposure to the virus, but they alsoAccess to information find complying7 with these measures difficult. Only 41% say they haveDon' t wantno to trouble 9 49% Increased hygiene practices following guidance0 around10 COVID-19.20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 Percent Percent n = 556 n = 556 Most important measures* Most difficult measures* What measures are most important? // What measures are most difficult? Who is your main source of information? // 43%What source do youStaying trust the most? indoors

HygieneHygiene practices practices 49 6 News media 49 40 Social distancing StayingStaying indoors indoors 43 29 Social media 43%19 11

Social distancing distancing 43 7 Health providers 12 18 33% Wearing mask WearingWearing mask mask 33 10 Don' t know 5 9

WearingWearing gloves gloves 20 5 National government 3 6 How has your ability to meet your basic needs changed since the virus started spreading in the world? If/when you experience coronavirus symptoms, what do you think you would you do? What measures do you find most difficult 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 4049 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 73 Go to health provider Percent to take to protectPercent yourself from the Worsened n = 556 55 n = 556 80 34 virus?* (n=556) How has your ability to meet your basic needs changedHow since has your the ability virus to startedmeet your spreadingbasic needs changed in the since world? the virus started spreading in the world? AskedCallIf/when health what provideryou experience makesIf/when you coronavirusexperiencecompliance coronavirus symptoms, symptoms,challenging, what what dodo you you think people think you would you do? saywould they you do? fear missing out on 29 gender gender 12 aid or services or going without work. They also say enforcement49 is lacking. Among 73 Go to health provider Go to health provider 14 57 No change Worsened 74 Female Self−isolation 55 Female Worsened 9 No difficulty 18 Male female respondents, missing out on aid is the primary impeding factor, while male Male 41% 80 34 Call health provider Call health provider 2 26 respondentsNothing are more concerned about29 losing access to jobs. gender 5 gender 12 14 Improved 14 No change No change 17 Female Self−isolation Self−isolation 1 12 Female Staying indoors 2 These concernsOther 9 are unsurprising given delays in cash distributions and the suspension 30% 18 Male 1 ₅ Male 0 20 40 60 80 of some2 emergency0 livelihoods activities20 due to movement40 restrictions. Households60 Nothing Nothing 4 14 Percent across Iraq5 are experiencing widespread job Percentlosses and challenges in meeting their n = 556 n = 556 Improved Improved 9 Wearing mask 1 ₆ 10% 2 Other Other 1 What do you need more information on in relation to the coronavirus? basic needs.1 What precautionary measures do you find most difficult to do to protect yourself from the virus? (max 3) 0 20 40 0 1060 20 30 80 40 5650 60 70 80 0 0 10 20 20 30 40 40 50 41 60 60 Nothing Percent Percent Why doNone you find these measures Percentdifficult?*Percent (n=556) 47 n = 556 n = 556 49 n = 556 n = 556 7% Social distancing 16 What do you need more information on in relation to the coronavirus? Why are these measures difficult for you? 28 What Don'do tyou know need more information on in relation to the coronavirus? WhatStaying precautionary indoors measures do you find most difficult to do to protect yourself from the virus? (max 3) 12 33 Nothing 49 gender Fear of missingFear of missing aid aid 36 gender 56 41 Nothing 9 None 9 Identifying symptoms 47 Female Wearing mask 49 Female If/when you experience Coronavirus 11 5 Don' t know 15 Male Other** Other 26 Male 16 28 symptoms, what do you think you would Don' t know 4 Staying indoors 8 Where cases are 12 Don' t know 33 9 gender 5 gender do? (n=556) Identifying symptoms 11 Don’t know Don' t know 13 9 9 Identifying symptoms 3 Female Wearing mask 10 Female Access to information 11 Social distancing5 9 Male 3 Male Treatment 8 Lack ofLack enforcement of enforcement 11 4 0 20 40 60 8 0 20 40 Where cases are Don' t know 9 Percent 5 Percent 57% Go to health provider n = 556 n = 556 3 Access to information 7 Don’t want Don'to t want to 10 9 Access to information Social distancing What9 precautionary measures do you find most0 important10 to do to protect20 yourself30 from the virus?40 (max 3)50 3 What source0 do you trust10 the most for20 information on30 how to protect40 yourself from the virus? Percent Percent 0 20 40 60 0 20 40 50 n = 556 33 n = 556 Hygiene practices Percent News media Percent Call health provider What measures are most important? // What measures are most66 difficult? Who is your main source of information? // What source do you trust the most? 44 26% n = 556 n = 556 39 WHO and Health Cluster messaging instructs23 those who suspect they are infected WhatStaying precautionary indoors measures do you find mostHygiene practicesimportant to do to protect yourself49 from the virus? (max6 3) WhatHealth source providersNews do media you trust the most for information49 on how to protect yourself40 from the virus? 56 to immediately self-isolate and13 call the government hotline for further support. But gender gender Self-isolation 50 33 12 % Hygiene practices 50 News media 8 Social distancing Staying indoors 6643 29 Female closeSocial tomedia Social60% media of respondents tell us they19 would11 go to a health44 facility – contravening Female 31 13 Male Male 39 this advice – even though the 23primary barrier to health access among returnees Staying indoors 36 Health providers 10 Wearing mask Social distancing 56 43 7 Don' t Healthknow providers 13 12 18 28 gender and IDPs in the 2019 Multi-Cluster8 Needs Assesment (MCNA) was the genderhigh cost 50 8 Social distancing 22 Female Social media ₇ 11 Female Wearing gloves 31 Wearing mask 33 10 of healthcare.UN/NGOsDon' t know Only13 one-quarter say they5 would9 call a health provider – possibly 14 Male 6 Male 0 20 36 40 60 because they0 do10 not know10 how. Fewer 20still would self-isolate.30 40 50 Wearing mask Don' t know 28 Wearing gloves Percent 20 5 National government8 3 Percent6 n = 556 n = 556 “There is no doctor, no disinfectant in the 22 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 Why do you find6011 these 50 40measures 30 20difficult?* 10 0 (n=556) 10 20 30 40 50 Wearing gloves UN/NGOs Who is14 your main source of information on how to protect yourself from thePercent virus? 6 Why are these measures difficult for you?Percent n = 556 n = 556 area, there are no masks or gloves.” – 0 20 40 60 47 0 10 20 30 26 40 50 News media Percent FearFear of of missing missing aid Percent Male returnee in Salah al-Din 59 44 n = 556 n = 556 13 31 Who Socialis your media main source of information on how to protect yourself from the virus? Other**Why are theseOther measures difficult for you? 22 19 gender gender 47 26 News media 15 Fear of missing aid 11 Impact of Ramadan Health providers 59 Female LackLack of enforcement 44 Female 4 16 Male Male 13 31 Social media 6 Other 13 UN/NGOs 22 Don’t knowDon' t know 19 Data was collected during the month of 5 gender 8 gender 15 11 Health providers 5 Female Lack of enforcement 9 Female Ramadan, during which movement restrictions Don' t4 know Don’t wantDon' t towant to 16 2 Male 6 Male were more relaxed. After observing an 6 0 20 40 60 0 13 20 40 UN/NGOs Don' t know 5 Percent 8 Percent increase in daily confirmed cases, Gol and n = 556 n = 556 5 9 KRG reintroduced strict lockdown measures Don' t know Don' t want to 2 **Among people6 who selected “other”, going without work was identified as the primary challenge in complying with measures. on 31 May.₈ 0 20 40 60 This0 will be added as a closed answer option20 in the next iteration of our survey. 40 Percent Percent n = 556 5 OCHA, “Iraq: COVID-19 situation report no. 14” (1 June 2020), https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.n = 556 int/files/resources/20200601_COVID19_SitRep_No.14%20%281%29.pdf. 6 Ibid.

7 OCHA and REACH, “Iraq Multi-Cluster Needs Assessment (MCNA) VII” (December 2019), available at: *Percentages do not total 100 because respondents 3 https://www.reachresourcecentre.info/country/iraq/cycle/651/#cycle-651. could choose multiple options. 8 OCHA, “Iraq: COVID-19 situation report no. 14” (1 June 2020). Economic impact

COVID-19 has undoubtedly impacted livelihoods. The majority (74%) of respondents tell us that their ability to meet their basic needs has worsened. Curfews, lockdowns, and other measures have reduced economic activity and have particularly impacted vulnerable groups, including casual and low-income workers.₉ People fear losing “Markets are all open and people are their jobs.10 Of the 4,000+ calls the IIC handled between March and June 2020, the going without masks or gloves.” – Male primary COVID-related issue has been loss of employment opportunities.11 IDP in Ninewa

How has your ability to meet your basic needs changed since the virus started spreading in the world? (n=556) How has your ability to meet your basic needs changed since the virus started spreading in the world? If/when you experience coronavirus symptoms, what do you think you would do?

Go to health provider 57 WorsenedWorsened 74

Call health provider 26

No changeNo change 17 Self−isolation 12

Nothing 4

ImprovedImproved 9 Other 1

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Percent Percent n = 556 n = 556 Price increasesWhat for do youfood need moreand information household on in relation items to the coronav compoundirus? these worries. An ongoingWhy are these measures difficult for you? assessmentNothing on market perspectives by49 the Cash Consortium of Iraq (CCI)Fear of missing reports aid 36

price increasesDon' t know and shortages15 in basic food and hygiene items – including lentils,Other 26 rice, vegetable oil, and disinfectant – across five governorates.12 More than half of “The curfew affected our livelihood the householdsIdentifying symptoms in the 11same study report having been unable to meet their basicDon' t needsknow 13 and restricted access to our daily, basic within the last week, with 73% saying they have been unable to work.13 Treatment 8 Lack of enforcement 11 needs.” – Female returnee in Anbar

TrustAccess to information 7 Don' t want to 9

0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 Percent Percent According to our respondents (90%), preventative measures aren = 556working, even n = 556 What measures are most important? // What measures are most difficult? Who is your main source of information? // What source do you trust the most? Binarythough Survey they Responses are difficult to follow. People in Salah al-Din feel notably more negatively

on thisHygiene indicator practices than those in other49 locations. The6 measures introduced thereNews media were 49 40 some of the most stringent, so this may be linked to resentment or discontent with the Staying indoors 43 29 Social media 19 11 Overall, do you believe the measures that have been introduced in your area will reduce the spread of the virus? obligation to comply, especially during Ramadan.

Social distancing 43 7 Health providers 12 18 Overall, do you believe the measures that have been introduced in your area Do you have enough information to protect yourself from the virus? Binary Survey Responses will reduceWearing mask the spread of the virus? (n=556)33 10 Don' t know 5 9

Wearing gloves 20 5 National government 3 6 Are you able to separate rumours from facts around the coronarvirus? Overall, do you believe the measures that have been introduced in your area will reduce the spread of the virus? 10 60 50 40 30 20 9010 0 10 20 30 40 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Percent Percent n = 556 n = 556 −40 −20 0 20 40 60 80 100 Percent Do you have enough information to protect yourself from the virus? No Yes No Don't know Ye s Location

Are you able to separate rumours from facts around the coronarvirus? Anbar n=48 10 90

−40 −20 Dahuk 0 20 40 60 80 n=133 100 8 Percent 92

Erbil No Don't know Ye s n=74 9 91

Ninewa n=168 13 87

Salah al-Din n=69 25 75

Sulaymaniyah n=30 3 97

Results in %

9 WFP, “Iraq market monitor report,” Issue 30 (April 2020), https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP- 0000115988/download/?_ga=2.68168340.440888833.1591881014-1575341897.1591881014 10 Ibid. 11 IIC, “COVID-19 dashboard,” https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNzRmNDc5NjAtN- *Percentages do not total 100 because respondents 2QyMS00NmNlLWE4MDAtYTg0N2FiODM5YWVjIiwidCI6IjViNGExMjM3LWU1MjUtNDIwOS1iN- could choose multiple options. WIyLTY5ZTQ0ZWM4MTk5NiIsImMiOjEwfQ%3D%3D. 12 CCI, “Beneficiary market perspectives – 8th round” (30 March–20 May 2020), https://www. 4 humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/assessments/19-may_bene- mark_eighth_round_brief.pdf. 13 Ibid. Methodology

Sampling We designed the sampling strategy using the most recent figures (9 April 2020) from the IOM This report presents highlights from the findings of Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) returnee and IDP master lists, as well as UNHCR refugee Ground Truth Solutions’ (GTS) telephone surveys with statistics, which provide the following population figures for Iraq: 1,399,170 IDPs, 4,660,404 323 IDPs, 67 refugees, and 166 returnees across six returnees, and 247,440 Syrian refugees. governorates in Iraq in April and May 2020.

People in Need (PIN), as defined in the 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), were divided Our quantitative citizen survey is conducted in into four strata across the six governorates: returnees, refugees, IDPs living in camps, and IDPs partnership with the Iraq Information Centre (IIC). outside of camps. Not all the strata were sampled in all five governorates. Strata amounting to 1% GTS will collect surveys of approximately 530 or less of the total PIN figures were not included. respondents per round for an initial duration of six The sample frame consisted only of people who recently contacted the IIC and is therefore not months and will target IDPs, refugees, and returnees representative of the Iraqi population in need in the selected governorates. Budget constraints across the six governorates with the highest numbers did not allow for the random approaches commonly used in phone surveys, such as random digit of People in Need (PIN): Anbar, Dahuk, Erbil dialling. Nonetheless, the sample includes different population types across each location. To Ninewa, Salah al-Din, and Sulaymaniyah. generate a more reliable sample, we used oversampling in regions and among population types with small numbers of people in the relevant population. GTS is sharing these findings with humanitarian actors to inform response planning and programme Survey questions adjustments. Over the coming months, we will Ground Truth Solutions designed the survey questions in consultation with the WHO Global Risk provide time-series data to track affected people’s Matrix14 and the Global Humanitarian COVID-19 response plan.15 We identified four metrics perspectives on the COVID-19 response in Iraq in to guide our questions: information, trust, behaviour, and economic impact. We reviewed other more detail. actors’ COVID-19-focused tools and surveys in order to avoid duplicating their efforts and to ensure that our data is useful and actionable. The IIC reviewed the questions and translations to Perception data ensure the survey is appropriate to country-specific realities. Ground Truth Solutions gathers feedback from Participants affected people, using their views, opinions, and perceptions to assess humanitarian responses. All participants were IDPs, returnees, or refugees over the age of 18. Of the total number of Gathering perception data from affected respondents, 37% were female and 63% were male. Respondents were selected from the IIC populations should be viewed as complementary database of recent callers and chosen at random by IIC Information Management (IM) within to other monitoring and performance data. the parameters set by the sample, aiming for a 50:50 gender split. Operators were instructed Collecting feedback is a vital first step in closing to obtain consent twice – first to enable IIC to use the stored contact information, and a second the accountability gap, empowering affected time for participation in the GTS survey. In total, 78 individuals did not give their consent to be populations to be part of the decisions that govern surveyed, and no interviews were conducted with them. All those who participated in our survey their lives, building relationships with communities, were given information on the government hotline and received key messages on COVID-19. and understanding local knowledge. Whenever possible, the process of collecting such feedback Weighting should be followed up with longer-term dialogue The overall mean values presented in this report were estimated based on strata means which between affected communities and aid agencies. were weighted based on demographic information outlined in the 2020 HRP. For the multiple Communicating the results of the surveys back to affected people and triangulating perception data choice questions, the maximum margin of error lies at (+/-) 8.5 percentage points, and between with other information sources is central to our (+/-) 3.76 and 5.94 for the binary questions. Margins of error for breakdowns by status, location, approach in Iraq. and gender are larger than for the overall weighted means. Data points that did not contain the respondent’s governorate or status (IDP, refugee, etc.) were not considered for the weighted analysis. Table 1: Sampling strategy, April 2020 with actual numbers*

Governorate IDPs in IDPs out of Returnees Refugees Total camp camp Anbar 54/-1 54/-1 Dahuk 77 34/-1 29/-1 140/-2 Erbil 46/+1 38/+8 84/+9 Ninewa 58 45 71/+6 174/+6 Salah al-Din 31/+1 41/+11 72/+12 Sulaymaniyah 32/+2 32/+2 Total 135 188/+3 166/+16 67/+7 556/+26

14 WHO, “Survey tool and Guidance: rapid, simple, behavioural insights on COVID-19,” Table 1: *+/- represents number of surveys above or below Questionnaire – validation and value of variable and items included (2020), http://www.euro.who. original target sample. int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/436705/COVID-19-survey-tool-and-guidance.pdf?ua=1. 15 OCHA, “Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19” (April–December 2020), https://www. 5 unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/Global-Humanitarian-Response-Plan-COVID-19.pdf. Language of the survey Surveys were conducted in Arabic.

Data collection Dates Data collection took place between 26 April and 15 May 2020. Data collection partner The Iraq Information Centre (IIC) is a central accountability mechanism for the humanitarian Author response in Iraq, implemented by UNOPS on behalf of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT). A Cholpon Ramizova – Senior Programme Analyst team of 22 operators collected the data, with two IIC supervisors managing the process. Challenges and limitations Recommended citation

Response rates: Surveys were conducted during the month of Ramadan, during which those Ground Truth Solutions, COVID-19: perceptions of observing the fast are less inclined to pick up their phones. Issues with network connectivity and people in need in Iraq, June 2020 phones being switched off also contributed to lower response rates. Gender balance: Women in the affected population commonly suppose that the male head of For more information about our work in household’s contact information must be provided in order to qualify for assistance. This presented Iraq, please contact Cholpon Ramizova challenges in targeting female respondents when sourcing information from the IIC database. ([email protected]) or Meg Additionally, a male member of the household often answered the phone. To mitigate some of Sattler ([email protected]). these challenges, only female operators were instructed to engage with female respondents. Where appropriate, female operators asked to speak to a female member of the household if the call was taken by someone else.

6 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

• Asset Replacement • Business Incubation • Cash for Work • Job Placement • Vocational Training VOCATIONAL TRAINING STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURE

JAIMAN & SHAN Procedures

❖ The SOP was divided on five groups ❖ Members of the VT SOP review chose groups to review based on their own interest and expertise ❖ The SOP decided to meet on bi-weekly bases ❖ Skype and Zoom were used for the meetings ❖ The length of the meetings varied between 30 minutes to 1 hour ❖ Attendance for each meeting was recorded ❖ VT SOP meeting minutes were thoroughly taken and shared back with the group Procedures

❖ Each group was responsible to review the content falling under their group ❖ Members would individually provide their comments then discuss it when they would come together ❖ There have been a few challenges a long the way some members dropped out of the SOP revision process ❖ Due to the lockdown the members didn’t have a chance to meet face to face ❖ There were groups with only one member, in this case the facilitators made sure they were present in bi-lateral meeting with those groups The updates made to the page 8 to 12. Group 1: Topics : Ismat, ✓ How do we choose vocational training topics? Shereen, ✓ Vocational Training requirement ✓ Trainer/facilitator selection Duration Victoria, Vocational Training Premises ✓ Technical vs. Non-Technical Training Content Mukesh, Training Curriculum ✓ Training Allowance and Stipend Mahdi, Tara, (transportation, meal, cost) Certification and Accreditation Managing Potential Risks and Maysa, Pirjeen Tensions Updates

Duration – Agree on length of recommended duration Consider alternative examples Selection Criteria – Term “gender vulnerability” remains unclear to all group members Choosing training topics – Any further consideration for updates? Vocational Training Requirements Question about MoLSA remains The updates made to the page 13 to 15. Group 2: Topics : ■ Attendance sheet ■ Activity monitoring sheet Fadi Salah ■ Complaint and response Mechanism Hikmat ■ Post-training survey ■ Documentation George Jend ■ Reporting ■ Information Management and Sharing ■ Evaluation ■ Post Training Plan Updates Activity monitoring sheet: Annex The updates made to the page the updates Group 3: made to the page 16 to 17. Abbas Fadhil Topics : ✓ Post Training Plan ✓ Visibility ■ 2. Coaching and mentoring: Some partners would avail a career pathing advisor to help mentoring and coaching graduates of vocational training programs in their job search, through a monthly basis coaching and mentoring plan, help them with relevant market linkages to their skills, and mentor them in their job search journey until they land a suitable work opportunity. This also applies for self-employed skilled labour who need skills, coaching and mentoring support to learn how and where to promote their skills and catch good work opportunities, assignments and projects. ■ 3. Advanced training plan: Partners can identify advanced training opportunities for clever trainees who show dedication and promising skills(some NGOs chose their clever trainees depending on pre and post test evaluation plan ), to ensure that they take the developed skills to the next level, which might lead to opportunities as co-trainers or as staff, in additional to other job- placement or entrepreneurial support. ■ Visibility: ■ Proper project visibility is important for both implementing organizations, their donors, as well as accountability to beneficiaries. A project location - or beneficiaries’ gear - should be marked with the logos of the organizations providing the support, as well as their donors logos, and sometimes the name of the programme under which the project is supported( respecting the arrangement order of the logos). This allows for easy identification of the project on-site and in photographs or videos produced for wider dissemination. Donor agencies promote these communication materials to show the progress and impact of their support and to raise additional funds. Donor governments and tax- payers in those countries rely on this visibility to see the real life impact of their contributions. The updates made to the page the updates Group 4: made to the page 16 to 17. Ali Topics : Coordination and Collaboration ✓ Annex 1: Vocational Training Premise Inspection Checklist ✓ Annex 2: Sample Vocational Training Contract for Trainee Coordination and Collaboration

Added: – Supporting MOSLA by setting up training courses for trainers who work in public training centers(government's TC), as this will develop the skills of trainers, It will also help in implementing modern, understandable and more targeted methods than traditional methods used by centers, It will also add sustainability to the government's training centers, as there are government's training centers that are open to the public and according to specific disciplines

– Also possible to add new terms of reference to these centers and support them in terms of the training content and the necessary training tools as well as training courses for the trainees as mentioned previously, It is also possible to rehabilitate some of the damaged rooms or buildings of the government's training centers and use them for the specified training period and after that, they can be handover to the relevant authorities to continue using them as a training center available to the general public, and this will provide long-term sustainability Annex 1: Vocational training premise inspection checklist and Collaboration

Suggestions to be added : ■ Refreshments (water, juice, other) ■ WC clean and operational for both gender ■ Fire alarm system ■ Surveillance cameras system ■ Sound system (headphones + microphone) ■ Carry an identification card for each person inside the center Annex 2: added : Sample ■ Day/month/year vocational training contract for trainee AOB?

Thank you for your participation!