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Strengthening access to water and mental health and psychosocial support services

Project

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

Eau, sensibilisation, enfants, Irak, Action contre la faim, ONG
© Lys Arango pour Action Contre la Faim
Project start date
Status

Ongoing

AFD financing amount
2 000 000 €
Country and region
Iraq, Jordan
Location
Jordan: Taybeh and Bani Kinanah districts. Iraqi Kurdistan: Iraqi Kurdistan: Districts of Simele, Dohuk, Zakho and Amadiya in the Dohuk Governorate
Type of financing
Delegation of European Union Funds, Minka Peace and Resilience Fund
Beneficiaries
Action contre la Faim
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The content of this project information sheet falls under the sole responsibility of the AFD and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the European Union.

The NGO Action Against Hunger (ACF) is working in Jordan and Iraqi Kurdistan to assist communities affected by the Syrian and Iraqi crises, with a focus on access to healthcare and water. AFD is supporting its action via a European Union grant.

Context

Since 2011, the war in Syria and the advance of the Islamic State in Iraq and in the Levant have led to massive population displacements. Iraq and Syria have 3.2 and 12 million internally displaced persons, respectively, and over 5 million people have been forced into exodus from Syria to neighboring countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq). These crises and their repercussions in neighboring countries have major social, economic and political consequences, which tend to exacerbate existing tensions and vulnerabilities.

AFD has set out to address these crises by launching the SAWA Initiative, to help the affected countries strengthen their resilience and accelerate their recovery. Back in 2014, AFD supported projects led by NGOs directly targeting vulnerable populations.

In 2017, AFD decided to support 4 new projects led by international NGOs, via a European Union grant, for a total amount of EUR 9m. The objective is to strengthen the social resilience of host communities and refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraqi Kurdistan.

Description

The project led by Action Contre la Faim aims to improve access to water and to mental health and psychosocial support services for vulnerable populations in Iraq and Jordan.

  • Water and sanitation in Jordan: the water networks of 200 households and 2 public schools will be rehabilitated, giving 2,000 people access to clean water. Some 10,000 people will be sensitized to good practices for water conservation. 
  • Healthcare in Jordan and Iraq: improving access to mental health and psychosocial support services for some 35,000 people by integrating them into health systems, in conjunction with local authorities. Diagnostics will be conducted to assess needs and identify areas for operations. 130 health professionals or volunteers from community organizations will be trained.

Impacts

  • The capacity of local institutions to provide services in the fields of water and mental health and psychosocial support for vulnerable populations is strengthened.
  • Host communities and refugees are more aware of mental health and psychosocial support issues and are referred to the appropriate services.
  • The social resilience of vulnerable populations is strengthened, in particular by sharing good practices at the local and regional levels.