Case Studies
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
OUR WORK WITH REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE case studies CAMEROON: NIGERIAN REFUGEE response Violence caused by the Boko Haram in Nigeria is Water, sanitation and hygiene resulting in large numbers of refugees crossing the Plan International Cameroon has responded to water, border into Cameroon. There are an estimated 63,000 sanitation and hygiene needs through a number of Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, of which 47,322 are interventions including: registered in the camp of Minawao, a large number of • Training of 45 hygiene promoters to reinforce the task which are children. force for sensitisation in Minawao camp • Establishing six committees to monitor open air With the increasing population of refugees, the capacity defecation of the Minawao camp has reached its limits. New needs • Hygiene campaigns continue to emerge, including the creation of a new • Establishing and training two water management camp, adequate water supply and the construction committees to oversee the two boreholes constructed of more family habitats to avoid overcrowding and a • Distribution of 2,500 water, sanitation and hygiene kits potential outbreak of a cholera epidemic. to refugees • Three waste pits, with an additional two currently Education under construction. In Minawao camp Plan International Cameroon have reached 4,500 children and 62 teachers through the distribution of school and teacher kits. We have also constructed three temporary learning spaces and two early childhood care and development centres for children between the ages of 0-5 years. Child protection We have constructed and equipped child friendly spaces, as well as established community based child protection committees. Plan International Cameroon has built the capacity of key workers and service providers on child protection issues. In collaboration with UNICEF, we have organised trainings for government social workers to provide age and gender appropriate case management services to refugee children from Nigeria. Photo © Plan International 1.United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2015). Sahel Response. Inter- Teacher helps boy write on blackboard at temporary learning agency Information Sharing Portal. Cameroon [online]. Available from http://data. centre built by Plan International in a refugee camp, Cameroon 1 unhcr.org/SahelSituation/region.php?id=73&country=502. Accessed 2 November 2015 SYRIAN REFUGEES: OUR RESPONSE Plan International is scaling up its response to the Syrian refugee crisis. The reasons for this include: • The shocking and rapid deterioration of the refugee situation throughout the Middle East and the arrival of unprecedented numbers of refugees and unaccompanied children in Europe in 2015. • Plan International’s own roots assisting children affected by conflict, have led us to scale up our response. We are strengthening our existing response in Egypt. In the region, we continue to support partner organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. We are currently working towards establishing responses in Jordan and Turkey. EGYPT – REFUGEE RESPONSE As a result of the conflict in Syria the registered number of Syrian refugees in Egypt is 128,019. Syrian refugees live We reached 11,540 children (including 5,089 girls) and in scattered urban locations in Egypt, which, according 12,540 adults (including 5,489 women) to UNHCR, results in a ‘dual burden’ to their health – constrained access to primary health facilities and the Total reached: 24,080 People increased risk of diseases associated with overcrowding, poor sanitation and hygiene.2 • Engage with the Ministry of Education’s Professional Plan International Egypt began responding to the needs Academy of Teachers (PAT) to develop teacher training of Syrian refugees and host community members in 2014. modules in promoting mutual understanding, peace building and mediation skills among students in public Education schools with mixed populations of Syrian and Egyptian Plan International Egypt is supporting access to formal children. and non-formal education, including remedial classes for Syrian refugees. Further, Plan International Egypt Child protection is working with the Ministry of Education to strengthen Plan International Egypt is providing psychosocial support to capacity of teachers and other education personnel. Syrian refugee and vulnerable Egyptian children, youth and their families. Over the next two years Plan International Egypt will: • Support over 40 public schools to improve their basic Plan International Egypt is providing case management infrastructure. services to children with urgent child protection needs by 2.United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2015). Egypt : 3RP Monthly Update - June 2015: Health [online]. Available from http://reliefweb.int/report/egypt/egypt-3rp- 2 monthly-update-june-2015-health. Accessed 30 October 2015 SURVIVING THE HAZARDOUS JOURNEY FROM SYRIA TO EGYPT “So many Syrian families were squeezed into the same boat,” says Mohammed, who fled the civil war in Syria with his wife, children and brother, who were in urgent need of medical care. “We were all so scared and worried – especially about our children – but we had no choice. There was no safety equipment on board and we had to spend many hours and so many scary nights on the boat. Things got worse when my three-year old son Ezz’s leg was burned while he was on-board the boat.” Mohammed and his family crossed Turkey, before arriving in strengthening referral systems and access to multi- Damietta and finally Alexandria, Egypt. sectorial and child-friendly services. “The first few months were a challenge. I struggled to Through life skills activities, child friendly spaces and find a job and I was unable to meet the basic needs mothering circles within the community centres, Plan of my family. In Syria, I had my own sewing shop and International Egypt is supporting the integration of employed many workers. In Egypt, things are different. communities and co-existence between Egyptian and I’ve found a job in a sewing workshop, yet the salary is Syrian children and youth. hardly sufficient to cover our basic needs.” Cash programming Although it’s been months since Mohammed and his family Plan International is providing cash grants to support have been in Egypt, the effect of their arduous journey can Syrian families to access basic living needs, including still be felt. “My children, especially Ezz, are still suffering. mattresses, bed covers, kitchen utensils, apartment Whenever he hears fireworks or loud noises, he feels rent and nutrition supplements. Cash grants are also afraid and unsafe,” says Mohammed. being provided to meet children’s schooling and educational needs, including books and stationery. Child rights organisation Plan International has been supporting psychosocial support activities for children such Partnerships as Ezz. The organisation also runs sessions for parents so • With financial support from UNICEF, we identify, they can learn how to help their children move on from the children suffering from or at risk of violence, trauma they have experienced. abuse, exploitation and neglect and ensure their access to age and gender appropriate services. “I really hope it won’t be long before my children We provide psychosocial support to children and can recover from what they’ve been through,” says their caregivers, including recreational activities, Mohammed. “I want them to be able to lead a normal life.” life skills, positive parenting, and referral to psychosocial and mental health services. • Our Education in Harmony project, funded by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, supports the expansion of educational opportunities for both Syrian refugee and Egyptian children. It supports beneficiaries through education kits, maintenance of water and sanitation facilities and the refurbishment and renovation of classrooms/schools. Photo (top) © Plan International / Jodi Hilton Photo (above) © Plan International Syrian refugee carries her baby Ezz (bottom right) takes part in a trip, run by Plan International, 3 promoting the integration of Syrian refugees in Egypt We have also strengthened referral mechanisms and community-based child protection mechanisms in 13 communities in order to improve the ability of children, parents, and communities to protect children. Photo © Plan International / Rose+Sjölander Food distribution and nutrition support South Sudanese refugees receive maize and Plan International South Sudan supports children below palm oil in a transit camp, Uganda the age of five, as well as pregnant and lactating women with access to information on nutrition and the screening and treatment of moderate malnutrition. To date 1,590 SOUTH SUDAN: children and 937 pregnant and lactating women have been reached. REFUGEE AND IDP Our food distribution activities are extensive, with distributions to over 100,000 people of which 51,000 are RESPONSE children. All beneficiaries reached are all categorised as severely food insecure. As a result of the conflict in South Sudan an estimated 1.6 million people are displaced internally,3 and a further Water, sanitation and hygiene 640,000 people are displaced in the neighbouring Through the rehabilitation of boreholes and construction countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.4 of latrines we have reached 24,200 people (12,342 children). We have also trained 57 hygiene promoters Plan International is providing assistance to internally in Akobo Pibor to raise