This document provides recommendations for good practices that local and international organizations can implement to better respond to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon. It summarizes research conducted through literature reviews, case analyses, interviews with local activists and organizations, and focus groups with refugees, civil society members, and international agencies. The recommendations focus on practices to mitigate tensions between Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities, strengthen coordination among response organizations, and improve access to basic services for refugees.
The good practices brief for responses to refugees final versionPACE LEBANON
- Tensions are rising between Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities due to political, socio-economic, and coordination challenges from the influx of over 300,000 Syrian refugees into Lebanon.
- Recommendations include organizing vocational skills exchanges between Syrians and Lebanese to reduce economic tensions, empowering citizens to advocate for local solutions, and promoting cultural understanding through intercultural activities to address social tensions.
- Addressing the lack of access to basic services for refugees and mitigating tensions between communities are needed to improve humanitarian coordination and human security.
For eighty years, the Jewish Agency has convened the Jewish people in an unparalleled partnership with a singular purpose: ensuring the Jewish future with a strong Israel at its heart. Together, we have built the State of Israel, bringing over three million Jews home, transformed deserts into communities, and offered opportunity where there was once devastation.
It is the donors, partners, and philanthropists around the world who join our efforts
through both undesignated and designated funding and enabling us to make a
difference. In Israel and around the world, we are able to be the Jewish world’s
representatives as we implement strategic activities, leverage other funds raised,
operate at capacity, and respond to rapidly changing realities and emerging
situations.
In 2015, the world pledged to ‘leave no one behind’ as part of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development. But millions of people are left behind in humanitarian crises.
Precise figures remain elusive (given measuring need is an inexact art), but the UN Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ Global Humanitarian Overview (OCHA,
2018a) estimates that some 134 million people will require humanitarian assistance worldwide
in 2018. It further estimates that approximately 97 million people would be selected
for international assistance under the joint humanitarian response plans, leaving a 27% gap
which would only be partially met by domestic authorities or other organizations including
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement1
. In a number of the major
operations of 2017, fewer than half of the people estimated to be in need were actually
known to be reached by internationally supported humanitarian assistance.
The document discusses how the Syrian crisis and international responses are negatively impacting Lebanon and potentially pushing it into a "fragility trap". It argues that while Lebanon was not previously a fragile state, it now faces significant stresses due to hosting over 1.3 million Syrian refugees, including economic burdens, security issues, and social/political tensions. International aid has largely circumvented the Lebanese government, exacerbating these challenges. The document proposes a more pragmatic approach, including classifying refugees and encouraging some to return based on need, as well as long-term initiatives to boost security, government capacity, and economic opportunities in Lebanon. It raises concerns about international actions undermining the stability of host countries.
The document discusses how the Syrian crisis and international responses are negatively impacting Lebanon and potentially pushing it into a "fragility trap". It argues that while Lebanon was not previously a fragile state, it now faces significant stresses due to hosting over 1.3 million Syrian refugees, including economic burdens, security issues, and social/political tensions. International aid has largely circumvented the Lebanese government, exacerbating these challenges. The document proposes a more pragmatic approach, including classifying refugees and encouraging some to return based on need or origin, and providing long-term support to both refugees and the Lebanese state to enhance security, government capacity, and economic opportunities. It raises concerns about potentially undermining another state's stability and sovereignty
This document discusses poverty through a lens of belongingness. It argues that in a wealthy democracy, poverty is largely about social exclusion and lack of belonging rather than just material inequality. It says that as excluded groups increase in size, the realities of their exclusion affect not only the targeted group but society as a whole. Belonging involves having one's well-being considered and ability to participate in and influence political and social institutions. The document discusses how different groups are positioned on a gradient of belonging, and how far from the center determines the level and form of exclusion they face. It argues we must transform narratives that relegate groups outside of belonging to effectively address poverty.
The document summarizes a program called Capacity Building in Conflict Cities that aimed to strengthen the capacity of youth and municipal leaders in six cities (Addis Ababa, Asmara, Freetown, Kigali, Kabul, and Nablus) to deliver services to vulnerable youth and children. The program involved city-to-city partnerships and exchanges to share best practices. It established One Stop Child and Youth Centers in each city led by trained local youth to provide activities and education in nutrition, ICT, health, sports, and arts for at-risk youth. The program underwent two phases, with the first focusing on exchanges between partner cities and the second on additional local capacity building in three cities.
The document outlines the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' framework for disaster risk reduction in South-East Asia. It begins by providing background on the Red Cross' work in disaster risk reduction and commitments to building more resilient communities. It then discusses hazard and vulnerability trends specific to South-East Asia, noting that the region experiences many disasters and has populations at high risk. The framework aims to enhance National Societies' disaster risk reduction capacities and provide guidance for building safety and resilience through integration into policies and programming, mitigation activities, and risk-informed humanitarian work.
The good practices brief for responses to refugees final versionPACE LEBANON
- Tensions are rising between Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities due to political, socio-economic, and coordination challenges from the influx of over 300,000 Syrian refugees into Lebanon.
- Recommendations include organizing vocational skills exchanges between Syrians and Lebanese to reduce economic tensions, empowering citizens to advocate for local solutions, and promoting cultural understanding through intercultural activities to address social tensions.
- Addressing the lack of access to basic services for refugees and mitigating tensions between communities are needed to improve humanitarian coordination and human security.
For eighty years, the Jewish Agency has convened the Jewish people in an unparalleled partnership with a singular purpose: ensuring the Jewish future with a strong Israel at its heart. Together, we have built the State of Israel, bringing over three million Jews home, transformed deserts into communities, and offered opportunity where there was once devastation.
It is the donors, partners, and philanthropists around the world who join our efforts
through both undesignated and designated funding and enabling us to make a
difference. In Israel and around the world, we are able to be the Jewish world’s
representatives as we implement strategic activities, leverage other funds raised,
operate at capacity, and respond to rapidly changing realities and emerging
situations.
In 2015, the world pledged to ‘leave no one behind’ as part of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development. But millions of people are left behind in humanitarian crises.
Precise figures remain elusive (given measuring need is an inexact art), but the UN Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ Global Humanitarian Overview (OCHA,
2018a) estimates that some 134 million people will require humanitarian assistance worldwide
in 2018. It further estimates that approximately 97 million people would be selected
for international assistance under the joint humanitarian response plans, leaving a 27% gap
which would only be partially met by domestic authorities or other organizations including
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement1
. In a number of the major
operations of 2017, fewer than half of the people estimated to be in need were actually
known to be reached by internationally supported humanitarian assistance.
The document discusses how the Syrian crisis and international responses are negatively impacting Lebanon and potentially pushing it into a "fragility trap". It argues that while Lebanon was not previously a fragile state, it now faces significant stresses due to hosting over 1.3 million Syrian refugees, including economic burdens, security issues, and social/political tensions. International aid has largely circumvented the Lebanese government, exacerbating these challenges. The document proposes a more pragmatic approach, including classifying refugees and encouraging some to return based on need, as well as long-term initiatives to boost security, government capacity, and economic opportunities in Lebanon. It raises concerns about international actions undermining the stability of host countries.
The document discusses how the Syrian crisis and international responses are negatively impacting Lebanon and potentially pushing it into a "fragility trap". It argues that while Lebanon was not previously a fragile state, it now faces significant stresses due to hosting over 1.3 million Syrian refugees, including economic burdens, security issues, and social/political tensions. International aid has largely circumvented the Lebanese government, exacerbating these challenges. The document proposes a more pragmatic approach, including classifying refugees and encouraging some to return based on need or origin, and providing long-term support to both refugees and the Lebanese state to enhance security, government capacity, and economic opportunities. It raises concerns about potentially undermining another state's stability and sovereignty
This document discusses poverty through a lens of belongingness. It argues that in a wealthy democracy, poverty is largely about social exclusion and lack of belonging rather than just material inequality. It says that as excluded groups increase in size, the realities of their exclusion affect not only the targeted group but society as a whole. Belonging involves having one's well-being considered and ability to participate in and influence political and social institutions. The document discusses how different groups are positioned on a gradient of belonging, and how far from the center determines the level and form of exclusion they face. It argues we must transform narratives that relegate groups outside of belonging to effectively address poverty.
The document summarizes a program called Capacity Building in Conflict Cities that aimed to strengthen the capacity of youth and municipal leaders in six cities (Addis Ababa, Asmara, Freetown, Kigali, Kabul, and Nablus) to deliver services to vulnerable youth and children. The program involved city-to-city partnerships and exchanges to share best practices. It established One Stop Child and Youth Centers in each city led by trained local youth to provide activities and education in nutrition, ICT, health, sports, and arts for at-risk youth. The program underwent two phases, with the first focusing on exchanges between partner cities and the second on additional local capacity building in three cities.
The document outlines the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' framework for disaster risk reduction in South-East Asia. It begins by providing background on the Red Cross' work in disaster risk reduction and commitments to building more resilient communities. It then discusses hazard and vulnerability trends specific to South-East Asia, noting that the region experiences many disasters and has populations at high risk. The framework aims to enhance National Societies' disaster risk reduction capacities and provide guidance for building safety and resilience through integration into policies and programming, mitigation activities, and risk-informed humanitarian work.
This document discusses internally displaced persons (IDPs) in conflict areas. It defines IDPs as persons forced to flee their homes due to armed conflict, violence, or disasters, but who remain within their country's borders, unlike refugees who cross international borders. The document outlines challenges facing IDPs such as property loss, family separation, insecurity, and lack of access to services. It also examines challenges for organizations assisting IDPs, such as government cooperation, access to information, resettlement, and security. Case studies of IDP situations in Pakistan and Colombia illustrate these challenges and responses from organizations such as the UN.
Sida provided 211 MSEK in humanitarian assistance to UNHCR in 2013 to respond to emergency refugee situations. The majority of funding went to operations in Africa and Asia, with the largest recipients being Mali, Yemen, Chad, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All Sida support is based on assessments of humanitarian needs and aims to protect and assist refugees and internally displaced persons. In 2013, Sida funding helped UNHCR provide assistance to over 143,000 refugees and internally displaced people.
Shalish and sulha with participation of womenM S Siddiqui
The ADR like Sulha or Shalish may be introduced in any categories of disputes and conflict resolution including the conflict between Arab/ Israel, Kashmir and any other dispute around the world.
4 lowenstein prague with mary mc call may 2012ifa2012_2
This document summarizes a lecture on planning and developing integrated communities for older adults in Israel. It discusses factors related to service planning, Israel's aging population and socio-demographic characteristics. It outlines different models for eldercare services, including a complementary approach that shares responsibility between families and the state by developing services to support family caregiving. The lecture emphasizes developing a public-private mix of eldercare tailored to each country's family culture and service availability.
This document discusses durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), including their right to return and strategies for reconstruction and rehabilitation. It identifies key principles like community participation, evidence-based approaches, and avoiding harm. Tools like displacement tracking matrices and geographic information systems can help monitor IDPs and plan responses. The case of Aceh, Indonesia demonstrates how decentralizing recovery efforts and cash transfers can aid durable solutions. Environmental impact assessments also support sustainable humanitarian responses. Aerial photos document the destruction of Baga, Nigeria from insurgent attacks. Durable solutions require coordinated efforts between humanitarian organizations using rights-based frameworks.
The document provides an overview of frameworks and approaches for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It defines key terms like forced displacement, refugees, and internally displaced persons. It also outlines trends in displacement data, impacts of forced displacement, and the three durable solutions of return, local integration, and resettlement. For solutions to be durable and sustainable, development challenges during and after displacement need to be addressed through comprehensive approaches.
The Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) is a place-based federal approach launched in 2010 to address concentrated poverty through coordinated efforts across five federal agencies: Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Treasury. The initiative takes a holistic approach to reducing poverty through initiatives focused on education, housing, public safety, health, and economic development. Key programs under NRI include Choice Neighborhoods, Promise Neighborhoods, and Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants.
The document discusses key aspects of a rights-based perspective and approach to social work and human rights. It begins by stating that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It then provides definitions of human rights, explaining that rights are the basic standards needed for people to live in dignity. The document outlines three generations of human rights - civil/political, economic/social/cultural, and collective rights. It discusses principles of human rights like universality, inalienability, and indivisibility. Finally, it explains that a rights-based approach means that governments have obligations to respect, protect, promote, and fulfill the rights of individuals.
A new report, 'Written out of the picture', published this week by the North East Child Poverty Commission and the Regional Refugee Forum North East highlights the widespread incidence of poverty amongst refugees and asylum seekers, the ‘new underclass: the minority within a minority`(O’Neill & Hubbard). Because Asylum seekers are not allowed to work whilst their claims are being determined, most depend on Section 95 support, which is a lower rate of support than for UK citizens who are unable to work. It often works out at just over £5 a day (housing and utility bills are paid for separately).
According to researchers, this group ‘are forced to live on the ‘margins of the margins’ while waiting for their cases to be processed. Cut off from the world of work, and often denied decent housing, adequate medical provision or cultural services, many drift into a state of destitution, rely on charity hand-outs or are forced into an underground economy.‘(O’Neill & Hubbard)
Despite a growing acknowledgement that the support offered to asylum seekers in the UK effectively ‘traps’ them in poverty, the role of local services and the issue of poverty amongst individuals once granted leave to remain has received little attention from researchers or campaigners. Little central or local government attention has been paid to poverty amongst these groups, with government documents and statistics appearing to ‘miss out’ asylum seeking children
The Women's Major Group calls for strengthening the draft outcome document of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States to better integrate gender equality, human rights, and sustainability. They propose numerous additions and amendments throughout the document to emphasize States' obligations to respect human rights and ensure women's full and equal participation and benefits from sustainable development efforts, particularly regarding economic opportunities, climate change, and ocean protection.
Community Activities means activity in the community, undertaken by your trustees, directors, employees or volunteers. Activity of community is the Community work involved in local or neighborhood groups or associations, volunteer or unpaid worker involved in a non-profit, not-for-profit, just work for humanity. Activity of community is including the alert, response, emergency, and recovery for an individual, groups, society as well as community.
The document discusses targeted universalism as an approach to policymaking that recognizes both universal goals of benefiting all groups as well as targeted approaches that address the specific needs of marginalized communities. It argues targeted universalism is needed because universal policies alone fail to account for how different groups are situated within inequitable social and economic systems. As an example, it analyzes how the GI Bill and New Deal policies, while universal, had unintended consequences and did not benefit Black communities equally due to systemic barriers. It advocates applying targeted universalism to the economic stimulus by including requirements for hiring local workers and partnering with community groups.
This document analyzes key economic and development indicators for countries in Eastern Africa and compares them to Brazil. It finds that:
- Eastern African countries generally have much lower GDP, GDP per capita, HDI, economic globalization, and trade levels than Brazil. Many rank among the lowest in the world on these measures.
- Mauritius and Seychelles are outliers with higher GDP per capita and HDI closer to Brazil's levels, likely due to their reliance on tourism.
- All Eastern African countries show negligible levels of inward and outward foreign direct investment, unlike Brazil which receives significant FDI inflows.
The document discusses community development and how to help communities without harming them. It begins with an overview of the topics that will be covered, including the history and literature behind why the author chose this topic. It then provides global and local examples of community development projects. It discusses alternative methods that focus on partnerships and relationships rather than short-term aid. The document emphasizes the importance of empowering communities and avoiding harm through one-way giving.
This document discusses principles for how development should happen after 2015 based on participatory research with people experiencing poverty in 29 countries. It calls for a post-2015 framework that recognizes the rights and priorities of those in extreme poverty and marginalization. It emphasizes that change must occur through more democratic and accountable relationships between citizens and governments. Sustainable change requires addressing the multiple and intersecting inequalities that characterize extreme poverty, through a holistic people-centered approach. The document recommends basing the post-2015 framework on rights and meaningful participation of the poorest in policymaking to improve accountability.
Peace and Conflict Resolution/Prevention: More than Just Scholarships Rotary International
Since the launch of Future Vision and the six areas
of focus the majority of global grants for peace and
conflict prevention/resolution (PCPR) have been for
scholarships. In an effort to expand the global grant
activity in PCPR, an idea exchange and workshop will
provide Rotarians an opportunity to brainstorm ideas
for projects they can do with their clubs and districts.
Rotarian Action Group for Peace members and Rotary
Peace Fellow alumni will facilitate the group activities.
Displacement, Security And Protection As Problems Of Internally Displaced Pe...James Harding
1) The document discusses displacement, security and protection as key problems faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs), using examples from Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone.
2) In Zimbabwe, the government displaced over 150,000 commercial farmers and their workers through forced evictions, and blocked humanitarian aid, representing poor management of IDP issues.
3) In contrast, the Sierra Leone government and aid groups cooperated to protect over 1 million IDPs in camps, providing food, shelter and security, and later facilitating resettlement, demonstrating best practices in managing displacement.
وتطمح السياسة المقترحة إلى الإرتقاء بالخدمات العامة من خلال المشاركة المحلية الرامية إلى:
تحسين الأداء الإداري؛
تعزيز الإستقلالية المالية للبلديات؛
ضمان التمثيل المحلي الحر والعادل.
This policy proposal aspires to:
Create more credible, representative, and non-partisan media outlets;
Redesign the laws and standards of governance for the media sector; and
Eliminating censorship and proposing alternative regulatory policies.
، يسعى هذا المقترح السياساتي إلى:
ضمان تمثيلٍ سياسي حرّ، عادل وغير طائفي يصون حقوق المواطنين؛
إعادة رسم العلاقة بين المواطن والدولة، عبر إصلاح قانون الأحوال الشخصية؛
تعزيز قيم المواطنة واللُحمة الإجتماعية عبر إصلاحات تربوية منها إعتماد كتاب تاريخ موحّد.
This document discusses internally displaced persons (IDPs) in conflict areas. It defines IDPs as persons forced to flee their homes due to armed conflict, violence, or disasters, but who remain within their country's borders, unlike refugees who cross international borders. The document outlines challenges facing IDPs such as property loss, family separation, insecurity, and lack of access to services. It also examines challenges for organizations assisting IDPs, such as government cooperation, access to information, resettlement, and security. Case studies of IDP situations in Pakistan and Colombia illustrate these challenges and responses from organizations such as the UN.
Sida provided 211 MSEK in humanitarian assistance to UNHCR in 2013 to respond to emergency refugee situations. The majority of funding went to operations in Africa and Asia, with the largest recipients being Mali, Yemen, Chad, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All Sida support is based on assessments of humanitarian needs and aims to protect and assist refugees and internally displaced persons. In 2013, Sida funding helped UNHCR provide assistance to over 143,000 refugees and internally displaced people.
Shalish and sulha with participation of womenM S Siddiqui
The ADR like Sulha or Shalish may be introduced in any categories of disputes and conflict resolution including the conflict between Arab/ Israel, Kashmir and any other dispute around the world.
4 lowenstein prague with mary mc call may 2012ifa2012_2
This document summarizes a lecture on planning and developing integrated communities for older adults in Israel. It discusses factors related to service planning, Israel's aging population and socio-demographic characteristics. It outlines different models for eldercare services, including a complementary approach that shares responsibility between families and the state by developing services to support family caregiving. The lecture emphasizes developing a public-private mix of eldercare tailored to each country's family culture and service availability.
This document discusses durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), including their right to return and strategies for reconstruction and rehabilitation. It identifies key principles like community participation, evidence-based approaches, and avoiding harm. Tools like displacement tracking matrices and geographic information systems can help monitor IDPs and plan responses. The case of Aceh, Indonesia demonstrates how decentralizing recovery efforts and cash transfers can aid durable solutions. Environmental impact assessments also support sustainable humanitarian responses. Aerial photos document the destruction of Baga, Nigeria from insurgent attacks. Durable solutions require coordinated efforts between humanitarian organizations using rights-based frameworks.
The document provides an overview of frameworks and approaches for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It defines key terms like forced displacement, refugees, and internally displaced persons. It also outlines trends in displacement data, impacts of forced displacement, and the three durable solutions of return, local integration, and resettlement. For solutions to be durable and sustainable, development challenges during and after displacement need to be addressed through comprehensive approaches.
The Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) is a place-based federal approach launched in 2010 to address concentrated poverty through coordinated efforts across five federal agencies: Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Treasury. The initiative takes a holistic approach to reducing poverty through initiatives focused on education, housing, public safety, health, and economic development. Key programs under NRI include Choice Neighborhoods, Promise Neighborhoods, and Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants.
The document discusses key aspects of a rights-based perspective and approach to social work and human rights. It begins by stating that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It then provides definitions of human rights, explaining that rights are the basic standards needed for people to live in dignity. The document outlines three generations of human rights - civil/political, economic/social/cultural, and collective rights. It discusses principles of human rights like universality, inalienability, and indivisibility. Finally, it explains that a rights-based approach means that governments have obligations to respect, protect, promote, and fulfill the rights of individuals.
A new report, 'Written out of the picture', published this week by the North East Child Poverty Commission and the Regional Refugee Forum North East highlights the widespread incidence of poverty amongst refugees and asylum seekers, the ‘new underclass: the minority within a minority`(O’Neill & Hubbard). Because Asylum seekers are not allowed to work whilst their claims are being determined, most depend on Section 95 support, which is a lower rate of support than for UK citizens who are unable to work. It often works out at just over £5 a day (housing and utility bills are paid for separately).
According to researchers, this group ‘are forced to live on the ‘margins of the margins’ while waiting for their cases to be processed. Cut off from the world of work, and often denied decent housing, adequate medical provision or cultural services, many drift into a state of destitution, rely on charity hand-outs or are forced into an underground economy.‘(O’Neill & Hubbard)
Despite a growing acknowledgement that the support offered to asylum seekers in the UK effectively ‘traps’ them in poverty, the role of local services and the issue of poverty amongst individuals once granted leave to remain has received little attention from researchers or campaigners. Little central or local government attention has been paid to poverty amongst these groups, with government documents and statistics appearing to ‘miss out’ asylum seeking children
The Women's Major Group calls for strengthening the draft outcome document of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States to better integrate gender equality, human rights, and sustainability. They propose numerous additions and amendments throughout the document to emphasize States' obligations to respect human rights and ensure women's full and equal participation and benefits from sustainable development efforts, particularly regarding economic opportunities, climate change, and ocean protection.
Community Activities means activity in the community, undertaken by your trustees, directors, employees or volunteers. Activity of community is the Community work involved in local or neighborhood groups or associations, volunteer or unpaid worker involved in a non-profit, not-for-profit, just work for humanity. Activity of community is including the alert, response, emergency, and recovery for an individual, groups, society as well as community.
The document discusses targeted universalism as an approach to policymaking that recognizes both universal goals of benefiting all groups as well as targeted approaches that address the specific needs of marginalized communities. It argues targeted universalism is needed because universal policies alone fail to account for how different groups are situated within inequitable social and economic systems. As an example, it analyzes how the GI Bill and New Deal policies, while universal, had unintended consequences and did not benefit Black communities equally due to systemic barriers. It advocates applying targeted universalism to the economic stimulus by including requirements for hiring local workers and partnering with community groups.
This document analyzes key economic and development indicators for countries in Eastern Africa and compares them to Brazil. It finds that:
- Eastern African countries generally have much lower GDP, GDP per capita, HDI, economic globalization, and trade levels than Brazil. Many rank among the lowest in the world on these measures.
- Mauritius and Seychelles are outliers with higher GDP per capita and HDI closer to Brazil's levels, likely due to their reliance on tourism.
- All Eastern African countries show negligible levels of inward and outward foreign direct investment, unlike Brazil which receives significant FDI inflows.
The document discusses community development and how to help communities without harming them. It begins with an overview of the topics that will be covered, including the history and literature behind why the author chose this topic. It then provides global and local examples of community development projects. It discusses alternative methods that focus on partnerships and relationships rather than short-term aid. The document emphasizes the importance of empowering communities and avoiding harm through one-way giving.
This document discusses principles for how development should happen after 2015 based on participatory research with people experiencing poverty in 29 countries. It calls for a post-2015 framework that recognizes the rights and priorities of those in extreme poverty and marginalization. It emphasizes that change must occur through more democratic and accountable relationships between citizens and governments. Sustainable change requires addressing the multiple and intersecting inequalities that characterize extreme poverty, through a holistic people-centered approach. The document recommends basing the post-2015 framework on rights and meaningful participation of the poorest in policymaking to improve accountability.
Peace and Conflict Resolution/Prevention: More than Just Scholarships Rotary International
Since the launch of Future Vision and the six areas
of focus the majority of global grants for peace and
conflict prevention/resolution (PCPR) have been for
scholarships. In an effort to expand the global grant
activity in PCPR, an idea exchange and workshop will
provide Rotarians an opportunity to brainstorm ideas
for projects they can do with their clubs and districts.
Rotarian Action Group for Peace members and Rotary
Peace Fellow alumni will facilitate the group activities.
Displacement, Security And Protection As Problems Of Internally Displaced Pe...James Harding
1) The document discusses displacement, security and protection as key problems faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs), using examples from Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone.
2) In Zimbabwe, the government displaced over 150,000 commercial farmers and their workers through forced evictions, and blocked humanitarian aid, representing poor management of IDP issues.
3) In contrast, the Sierra Leone government and aid groups cooperated to protect over 1 million IDPs in camps, providing food, shelter and security, and later facilitating resettlement, demonstrating best practices in managing displacement.
وتطمح السياسة المقترحة إلى الإرتقاء بالخدمات العامة من خلال المشاركة المحلية الرامية إلى:
تحسين الأداء الإداري؛
تعزيز الإستقلالية المالية للبلديات؛
ضمان التمثيل المحلي الحر والعادل.
This policy proposal aspires to:
Create more credible, representative, and non-partisan media outlets;
Redesign the laws and standards of governance for the media sector; and
Eliminating censorship and proposing alternative regulatory policies.
، يسعى هذا المقترح السياساتي إلى:
ضمان تمثيلٍ سياسي حرّ، عادل وغير طائفي يصون حقوق المواطنين؛
إعادة رسم العلاقة بين المواطن والدولة، عبر إصلاح قانون الأحوال الشخصية؛
تعزيز قيم المواطنة واللُحمة الإجتماعية عبر إصلاحات تربوية منها إعتماد كتاب تاريخ موحّد.
The proposed policy aspires to bolster public services through local participation aimed at:
Improving administrative performance;
Enhancing municipal financial autonomy; and
Ensuring free and fair local representation.
The document outlines policies for scheduling appointments, requiring confirmation within 2 days to avoid forfeiture, signing an agreement acknowledging policies, and paying fees in advance either for 1 month of therapy or a 3 month playgroup term.
The good practices brief for responses to Syrian refugees PACE LEBANON
- The document discusses recommendations for improving the response to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, where over 300,000 refugees have strained local resources and increased tensions with host communities. It recommends practices to mitigate tensions, strengthen coordination among organizations, and improve basic services. Specifically, it suggests job training programs that exchange skills between Syrians and Lebanese, empowering citizens to advocate for local solutions, and ensuring services equally benefit refugees and host communities.
Supercharging Human Rights Defenders :: The LevantShaza Salamoni
The document summarizes the findings of a needs assessment survey of 50 human rights organizations in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. It finds that existing support for strategic communications and digital security training is limited and insufficient to meet needs. There is a strong desire from these organizations for improved support in areas like communications strategy, social media, advocacy, and cybersecurity training to help them operate more effectively in challenging environments. The document provides recommendations for external organizations on how to better support regional human rights defenders.
Syrian women and girls coming to Lebanon are at increased risk of multiple forms of violence due to generalized insecurity and limited access to support. IRC’s rapid GBV assessment highlighted the myriad and severe protection issues women and girls faced before leaving Syria, and since arriving in Lebanon.
This document summarizes the findings of a consultation process regarding the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on Lebanon, with a focus on the border regions of Wadi Khaled and Akroum in northern Lebanon.
The crisis has had significant economic, social, infrastructure, health, education and security impacts at both the national and local levels. Wadi Khaled and Akroum have seen their economies decline due to border closures, while already poor infrastructure and public services have been further strained. The large influx of Syrian refugees, now totaling over 21,500 people living among local communities, has increased pressures. Local municipalities lack capacity to support residents' needs. Growing dissatisfaction has been reported among host communities dealing with the
The Syrian Kid's Rights Project aims to improve conditions for Syrian refugee children living in camps in Iraq. It has two main goals: 1) Help children recover from the psychological impacts of war through workshops and games, and 2) Increase awareness and respect of children's rights by documenting their experiences and conditions. The project calls on individuals and organizations to volunteer, donate, or partner to support these efforts.
The Syrian Kid's Rights Project aims to improve conditions for Syrian refugee children living in camps in Iraq. It has two main goals: 1) Help children recover from the impacts of war through workshops and games, and 2) Increase awareness and respect of children's rights by documenting their experiences and conditions. Volunteers are needed both in Iraq and abroad to support activities in the camps and spread information about the project's work.
This document summarizes the key findings of a child protection needs assessment conducted with Dom communities in Lebanon. The Dom are an ethnic minority group originating from northwestern India who now live in several Middle Eastern countries. The assessment found that Dom children face numerous protection risks due to extreme poverty, lack of legal residency and identification documents, poor housing and sanitation, low educational attainment, discrimination, early marriage, child labor including begging and exploitation. While Dom communities have some protective mechanisms, there are also gaps in the overall protective environment. The assessment aims to inform appropriate responses and interventions to address the needs and protect the rights of Dom children in Lebanon.
Synthesis Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2017Pattie Pattie
The document summarizes a conference on social inclusion. It provides information on the participants, sessions, and key recommendations. Over 800 participants from 72 countries attended, with sessions addressing vulnerable populations like refugees, migrants, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Recommendations focused on the need for political commitment to inclusion, reducing stigma and discrimination, recognizing intersecting vulnerabilities, and the roles of health sectors, scientific communities, and civil society in promoting inclusion.
The document analyzes demographic changes and risk factors for conflict related to the Syrian refugee crisis in Jordan and Lebanon. It finds that while refugee flows are straining resources, refugees have not yet contributed to conflict because they are not militarized and host governments have prevented militarization. However, it identifies three risk factors: 1) militarization of refugees 2) degradation of host governments' capacity to prevent militarization and 3) long-term alienation of marginalized refugee youth. The analysis uses case studies and examines factors like settlement patterns, age structures, and socioeconomics to assess implications for stability in the region.
SurveyonPerceptionsofSyrianRefugeesinLebanonAugust132014Syria Refugee Aid
This document provides an overview of a study conducted on the perceptions of Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities in Lebanon. It begins with background on recent Lebanese policies regarding Syrian refugees, which aim to reduce refugee numbers and ensure security. The study objectives are then outlined, along with the methodology used. The results section analyzes registration/safety, regional differences, assaults, mobility, access to services, perceptions of authorities, and how perceptions have changed over time. Gender differences and comparisons between Lebanese and Syrian perceptions are also examined. The summary identifies tensions between the communities and pressures facing refugees. Policy implications are discussed in the conclusion.
A Case Study Of Liberian Refugees In C Te D IvoireRenee Lewis
This document summarizes a case study on the response to Liberian refugees in Côte d'Ivoire, which has become a protracted refugee situation. Unlike most countries, Côte d'Ivoire allowed refugees to freely settle among the local population in a designated zone. However, UNHCR policies focused on care and maintenance rather than integration or self-sufficiency. As the situation dragged on and funds decreased, UNHCR struggled to transition refugees to local schools and phase out assistance. The report recommends that from the outset, education and economic programs for protracted refugees be aimed at integration in host communities to promote long-term solutions over temporary care.
This document summarizes the work of the Social Development Migration, Displaced Persons & Children Services Unit in Johannesburg, South Africa. It discusses the city's efforts to promote social cohesion and counter discrimination against migrants. It outlines strategies like the Migrant Help Desks and policies to support migrant integration. It also examines challenges like xenophobia, unemployment, and the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on migrant communities. The city aims to address these issues through collaboration, counter-xenophobia initiatives, and ensuring migrants' access to assistance.
From Camp To Community - Liberia Study On Exploitation Of ChildrenThomas Müller
The document discusses a study conducted by Save the Children UK in Liberia on the exploitation of children. It finds:
1. Focus group discussions and interviews with over 300 people in IDP camps and returnee communities found widespread transactional sex where girls as young as 8 exchange sex for money, food, and other necessities due to extreme poverty and lack of opportunity.
2. Respondents estimated over half of girls in the areas were involved in what they called "man business" or "loving big people." Camp officials, humanitarian workers, businessmen, and others were reported to exploit girls.
3. Lack of economic opportunities and chronic poverty were cited as underlying causes. Parents felt powerless to
This document summarizes a needs assessment of migrant domestic workers and their children in Beirut, Lebanon. The assessment aimed to identify vulnerable populations, examine how children spend their free time, and evaluate formal and informal protection systems for children. Researchers conducted interviews with migrant workers, community leaders, and NGO staff. They also held focus groups with mothers and children to learn about risks faced and protection needs. While statistics are limited, the assessment provided insights into the lives of migrant communities in Lebanon.
NRC, IRC-KHF and IBC would like to thank the youth who participated in the research and shared their experiences. Without their help we would not have been able to complete the report and ensure that youth issues amongst refugees, internally displaced people and their host communities in the region are highlighted. We would also like to thank the teams in the region who supported the fieldwork and analysis.
The document discusses volunteerism in Liberia and its role in promoting peace and development. It describes several volunteer programs in the country, including the National Youth Volunteer Service (NYVS) and Volunteers for Peace Program (VPP), which work on initiatives like peacebuilding, conflict resolution, education, and agriculture. It highlights the work of individual volunteers, such as their efforts to increase school enrollment and promote social cohesion. It emphasizes that volunteerism helps deepen the roots of peace in Liberia and will play an important role as the country transitions from peacekeeping support.
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The document discusses the findings of an assessment of adolescents affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria. It highlights that over 12 million people in Syria require humanitarian assistance, including over 5.6 million children. Adolescents face denial of education, opportunities, and even basic needs. Focus group discussions and interviews with over 400 adolescents, parents, and organizations revealed that adolescents feel their lives have changed drastically due to the conflict. While they express fear for their safety, adolescents also demonstrated resilience. The key finding is that adolescents' top priority and need is the return of security and peace to Syria.
The document discusses War Child Holland's peacebuilding work in Sierra Leone, including their approaches, frameworks, understandings and context analyses. It provides background on the civil war in Sierra Leone and its impact on communities and youth. It outlines War Child's vision, mission and community-based programming processes to contribute to psychosocial recovery and foster community cohesion through life skills development and social infrastructure facilitation.
Similar to The Good Practices Brief for Responses to Refugees (20)
The Good Practices Brief for Responses to Refugees
1. Local Response
Opportunities
Preventing Tensions and Improving Quality of
Services for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Host
Communities1
1
This brief was developed by Beyond Reform & Development, part of BRD/I Group SAL, in
close collaboration with experts, activists and civil society organizations.
Lebanon, 2013
2. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0
Unported License.
2
3. Outline
Situation Brief
Methodology
Recommendations
1. Good practices to mitigate tensions and conflicts
2. Good practices to strengthen institutional coordination for local response
3. Good practices to improve the quality of basic services
Conclusion
References
3
4. Situation Brief
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the total
number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has reached close to 310,000 individuals as of
February 2013. This includes Syrians who are registered or in the process of being
registered with UNHCR. The Syrian refugees are located all over the Lebanese territory,
with a higher concentration in North Lebanon and Bekaa.2
Source: Syrian Regional Refugee Response. Information Sharing Portal: Lebanon. (2013). UNHCR
There are signs of increased tensions between
Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities in “The government is not present to
different regions due to political and socio- protect us from the Syrian refugees’
violations… We will protect our honor
economic reasons as well as weak response to and our homes.” Focus group
urgent needs triggered by the situation. Conflicts participant from Akkar
between both communities present an urgent threat
to human security and respect for human rights.
In addition to the institutional challenges facing the Lebanese government, there are multiple
coordination challenges between UNHCR, local and international organizations, and relevant
stakeholders due to the large influx of refugees and sheer volume of needs. Meanwhile,
Syrian refugees are suffering from lack of access to basic services that are necessary for their
survival.
An estimated 20 percent of Syrian refugee children are enrolled in school in Lebanon3. There
are many Syrian refugees who do not have adequate shelters, with several families living in a
room orin tents.
2
Syrian Regional Refugee Response. Information Sharing Portal: Lebanon. (2013). UNHCR. Retrieved from
http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/country.php?id=122
3
Robbed of Childhood, Running from War. (2012) World Vision International.
4
5. In addition to the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs and the High Relief Commission
(HRC), approximately 25 local and international organizations are working with refugees to
provide the following:4
child protection services community services
coordination services core relief items
education services food
awareness on gender-based violence health services
awareness on HIV/AIDS information management services
livelihood services nutrition services
protection services shelter services
water and sanitation services registration services
Despite the large number of organizations working with Syrian refugees and their previous
experience in comparable situations, there are still many gaps that need to be addressed
urgently in order to fulfill the needs of refugee populations and of the local communities
hosting them.
Methodology
This document provides recommendations for good practices and activities that can be
adopted and implemented by local and international organizations to better respond to the
refugee crisis. It was designed using a rapid research methodology based on the participation
of affected communities, civil society groups, and practitioners involved in dealing with the
refugee situation.
The following steps were undertaken to develop the brief:
1. Review literature on response to refugees, conflict prevention, and civic engagement.
2. Analyze similar country cases, including Lebanon’s experience in handling refugees,
and the role of local communities.
3. Interview 10 activists from local and international organizations that are either
currently working with Syrian refugees or have previously worked with refugees in
Lebanon.
4. Conduct 3 focus groups in Saida, Tripoli, and Bekaa with Syrian refugees, civil
society activists, and international agency workers.
4
Idem.
5
6. Analysis of the research findings shed light on general trends and approaches to the refugee
issue, informed the development of recommendations to overcome the challenges identified
by stakeholders, and helped identify lessons learned and successful approaches used by local
and international organizations in responding to the influx of refugees.
The primary audiences targeted by this brief include:
1. Municipalities and local community-based organizations (CBOs) that are in direct
contact with Syrian refugees.
2. Civil society organizations (CSOs) working with Syrian refugees or in host
communities.
3. International organizations working directly with refugees and local populations or
supporting CSOs and CBOs to implement related programs and projects.
Recommendations
This section presents the main recommendations derived from the consultative process
described above for practices and mechanisms that can be adopted by local and
international organizations in three main areas:
1. Good practices to mitigate tensions and conflicts between Syrian refugees and
Lebanese host communities
2. Good practices to strengthen institutional coordination for local response
3. Good practices to improve the quality of basic services
6
7. Good Practices to Mitigate Tensions and Conflicts
There is an increase in tensions between Syrian refugees and local communities, as
expressed by several stakeholders consulted for this brief and as reported in local media.
The nature of these tensions combines demographic, political, economic, and social
reasons:
The high concentration of refugees in certain areas is creating tensions over local
resources in regions with weak infrastructure.
Some communities are facing tensions due to the difference in political affiliations
between Syrian refugees and local citizens.
Poor communities are feeling left out of relief efforts primarily directed at Syrian
refugees.
Competition over economic opportunities for skilled laborers is causing tensions,
which is compounded by the scarcity of job opportunities.
Harassment incidents towards women were reported from both the Syrian and
Lebanese communities, causing local conflicts.
Some Syrian students suffer from discriminatory attitudes and behaviors from
Lebanese teachers and students.5
Below are recommendations for approaches and mechanisms designed to mitigate
potential conflicts and tensions between Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities.
They are based on the field research as well as a review of international experiences in
countries that have faced similar situations.
Transfer of vocational skills between Syrians and Lebanese citizens as a means for
collaboration
• Problem: Business owners, in an attempt to reduce labor costs, are increasingly hiring
Syrian refugees instead of Lebanese citizens. This is not only affecting the
socioeconomic conditions of Lebanese families, but is also causing competition and
tensions between Syrian refugees and Lebanese citizens.
• Opportunity: The Syrian refugees, especially youth and women, have advanced
vocational skills such as those related to sanitary works, electrical works, paving, wood
carving, sewing, embroidery, mobile phone repair, hairdressing and make-up. Creating
opportunities to exchange those skills and including Lebanese and Syrians in the same
sessions would enhance collaboration instead of competition, as well as reduce feelings
of alienation in both communities.
• Suggestion: It is recommended to organize vocational training workshops to be
delivered to both Syrians and Lebanese in collaboration with skilled labors from both
communities. This will contribute to transforming their relationship and alleviating
tensions between them. It will also allow people from both communities to acquire a
5
Idem.
7
8. new set of skills that will enhance their employment prospects. To maximize benefits,
such trainings should include job search assistance and follow-up to secure job
placement for participants.
Empower Lebanese citizens with advocacy capacities to participate in solving local
problems pertaining to the influx of Syrian refugees:
• Problem: Local citizens are not playing an active role in advocating to their
municipalities to be more proactive in solving problems triggered by the refugee
situation. This is mainly due to their lack of knowledge and skills about their role as
active members in their local communities.
• Opportunity: Several curricula have already been developed to foster citizen
engagement with their municipalities, such as training materials developed by the
National Democratic Institute as part of the Citizen Lebanon project as well as manuals
created by Beyond Reform and Development on “Local Governance and Active
Participation” and “Civic Engagement, Leadership and Democracy.”
• Suggestion: Training workshops should be implemented in rural areas to foster citizen
engagement with their municipalities to design solutions, initiatives and projects to deal
with imminent challenges triggered by the refugee situation. Such workshops will equip
citizens with the knowledge and skills to advocate to municipal authorities for a better
response to their needs and those of the refugees.
Promote cultural diversity and intercultural learning between Syrian refugees and local
communities:
• Problem: Syrian refugees are not familiar with cultural particularities and traditions of
Lebanese host communities, and vice versa, which is causing cultural tensions between
the two communities. The social behaviors most frequently cited by stakeholders were
hygiene, family relations and gender roles. In addition, some local community members
blame the increase in crime and robbery rates on Syrian refugees.
• Opportunity: Both Syrian refugees and Lebanese citizens, specifically in the North and
Bekaa, have much in common such as religion, social values, rural characteristics and
even some traditions. Making them aware of the commonalities can enhance mutual
respect and exchange of thoughts and ideas.
• Suggestion: Municipalities and local organizations are encouraged to organize short-
term intercultural learning activities, joint projects and dialogue platforms, allowing
both communities to share and discover commonalities, such as cooking events,
traditional dinners, and family visits. Such eventswill help in transforming their
relationships and consequently mitigating tensions. Starting these activities in the short
term is essential to equip both communities with basic dialogue and acceptance skills
they will need in both countries when the crisis ends.
Raise awareness of Lebanese and Syrian common problems and protection mechanisms:
• Problem: Despite the support of local and international organizations, Syrian refugees
and Lebanese citizens still face many challenges, such as health issues, security threats,
8
9. poverty, and violations of children and women’s rights. Both communities are not aware
of institutional and legal mechanisms that are in place to ensure social protection.
• Opportunity: In addition to the suggestions presented in this document to help defuse
tensions between Syrian and local communities, the Syrian refugee crisis presents an
opportunity to raise the issue of the 1951 Refugee Convention not being ratified by the
Lebanese government, and to lobby the parliament to ratify it.
• Suggestion: Local and international organizations are encouraged to conduct awareness
and advocacy campaigns for both Syrian refugees and Lebanese citizens on the 1951
Convention and its 1967 Protocol in addition to other international frameworks and
mechanisms for human rights protection. Moreover, it is important to equip local NGOs
and stakeholders with skills and contacts to advocate with regional justice courts to use
these frameworks to protect Syrian refugees. Advocacy campaigns should call on
parliamentarians to add this issue on their agenda, especially since elections are
scheduled to take place in the spring of 2013. These campaigns can provide a common
and safe platform for both Syrian refugees and Lebanese citizens to discuss and
exchange ideas, thus improving relationships and mitigating tensions.
Enable municipalities to mediate local conflicts between Syrian and Lebanese
communities:
• Problem: Mayors and municipal officers are receiving many complaints about rising
tensions and conflicts in their communities, yet are unable to solve these conflicts.
• Opportunity: There are many conflict mitigation and mediation programs that were
previously developed by leading organizations, such as the UNDP Peace Building
Project, the Lebanese Conflict Resolution Network, and the training and consulting firm
named “…For Development”.
• Suggestion: Capacity-building programs on mediation skills should be conducted to
equip mayors and municipal officers with the tools needed to play an active and positive
role in conflict mitigation in their communities. These programs could include small
funding for municipalities to conduct activities aimed at improving inter-community
relationships.
Empower mayors and municipal officers to manage local crises:
• Problem: The influx of Syrian refugees is negatively affecting the socio-economic
conditions of host communities and increasing tensions between Lebanese and Syrians.
• Opportunity: Municipal officers and mayors can play a positive role in dealing with the
crisis and alleviating local socio-economic problems.
• Suggestion: Local and international organizations are encouraged to build the capacities
of mayors and municipal officers so they can assume their roles and responsibilities
more effectively, such as by designing budgets that respond to citizen needs, monitoring
rent fees imposed on refugees, involving citizens in developing local initiatives and
programs, implementing income-generating activities, and revitalizing local economies.
9
10. Organize joint activities between Lebanese and Syrian students to increase tolerance in
schools:
• Problem: Several common problems are facing Lebanese and Syrian students at the
school level, such as the poor quality of public education, inadequate health and safety
standards, and discriminatory attitudes.
• Opportunity: In many villages, Lebanese and Syrian students are attending the same
schools, and are being accompanied by local teachers and social workers.
• Suggestion: Activities should be conducted for students and teachers to raise their
awareness on issues of common concern and improve relationships between Lebanese
and Syrian students through joint projects.
Involve Syrian parents in parents’ committees in schools to collaborate in ensuring school
cohesion:
• Problem: Within schools that are attended by Lebanese and Syrian students, Syrian
students are having difficulties integrating and adapting to the school environment,
which is causing conflicts with their peers.
• Opportunity: Parents can play an important role in helping their children accept
differences and adapt to a new environment.
• Suggestion: Schools should make a concerted effort to involve the parents of Syrian
students in the parents’ committees, which will develop communication channels
between Syrian and Lebanese parents so they can discuss common challenges and
devise mechanisms to overcome them. This will also engage them in designing common
extracurricular activities that respond to their children’s needs and facilitate their
integration, such as school fairs, kermesses, sports activities, and field trips.
Provide psycho-social support for Syrian and Lebanese youth:
• Problem: Syrian youth are having difficulty adapting to the local environment,
performing at school, and overcoming the sad memories of the war in their country.
• Opportunity: School teachers and social workers can play a positive role in helping
youth integrate and express themselves freely in a safe, open environment. This will
require training and development for school teachers and social workers to become
better equipped to play that role in their environment.
• Suggestion: Psycho-social support programs and activities should be organized within
schools and in communities through which students will have a safe platform to express
themselves and overcome the fears and psychological pressures they face. This can
include self-expression activities, such as painting and theater classes, as well as youth
camps where Syrians and Lebanese can get to know each other, share experiences, and
build trust.
Provide basic services to benefit the Syrian refugees and host communities equally:
• Problem: Most services being provided in response to the refugee crisis are strictly
targeting Syrian refugees even when host communities lack the same basic needs (such
10
11. as food, water, health, and livelihoods), which is increasing tensions between Lebanese
and Syrian citizens.
• Opportunity: Many projects are being implemented in rural areas that benefit both
Lebanese and Syrian citizens, and promote sustainable development, providing
opportunities to scale them up to other regions and communities.
• Suggestion: In designing programs, local and international organizations—and their
funding agencies—should take into consideration the needs of both Syrian refugees and
their host communities in order to avoid creating discrepancies between them and
inadvertently increasing tensions. Services and initiatives that provide more avenues for
positive interactions between the two communities, such as public spaces, gardens, and
sports stadiums, can contribute to building social cohesion.
Good Practices to Strengthen Institutional Coordination for Local
Response
Stakeholder consultations and field research revealed a number of institutional and
coordination challenges that are hindering the quality and efficiency of response to the
refugee crisis. Below are recommendations for approaches and mechanisms designed to
promote coordinated action in responding to the needs of Syrian refugees and their host
communities.
Ease and improve efficiency of registration for Syrian refugees:
• Problem: The growing influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is straining the capacity of
existing UNHCR and HRC offices to register refugees and serve them properly when
distributing kits and delivering other relief services. In turn, the delay in registering
refugees makes it difficult to obtain an accurate picture of their needs and of the
pressures faced by host communities.
• Opportunity: There are many skilled individuals in the host communities who are
willing to assist UNHCR and HRC in the registration process and other logistical
details, either as unpaid volunteers or in exchange for small stipends.
• Suggestion: The number of UNHCR and HRC offices should be increased all over
Lebanon. This will enhance the quality of response to refugee needs as well as create
job or internship opportunities for host communities.
Improve coordination between organizations working on refugee issues:
• Problem: There is an overlap in many areas of service provision and a shortage of other
services. Moreover, there is no centralized database for all activities and their respective
service providers, which affects the quality of support to refugees.
• Opportunity: There are more than 25 local and international organizations working in
the field with Syrian refugees. They all have their own updated databases and are
11
12. convinced of the benefits of having a centralized database and coordination on a day-to-
day basis.
• Suggestion: A user-friendly centralized database should be created for key stakeholders
to access, edit, and update it with the latest data pertaining to Syrian refugees. In
addition to serving as a monitoring tool, the database will enable better coordination and
decision-making between all support organizations by providing:
A central location that compiles the existing databases of organizations working
with refugees, allowing for improved efficiency and responsiveness to urgent
cases.
Easy access to information on the work of local and international organizations
around the country, including: geographic area, types of services provided, and
size of the population served.
Regular reports on demographic changes, needs, and existing responses related
to Syrian refugees.
Establish an observatory to assess needs and early response mechanisms:
• Problem: Despite the large number of services provided to refugees, there are still
multiple needs that are not being covered by local and international organizations. The
volatility of the situation requires systematic monitoring of a set of priorities and
improvements in the pace and quality of response.
• Opportunity: Local and international organizations in Lebanon have extensive
experience in conducting needs assessments, monitoring priorities, and setting early
response programs due to their role in previous similar situations faced by Lebanon.
• Suggestion: UNHCR and local organizations are encouraged to establish a joint multi-
agency observatory that centralizes needs assessments to prevent refugee fatigue and
improve the pace and quality of relief response by continuously updating stakeholders
with imminent needs and priorities. The observatory should use a systematic
methodology and provide timely recommendations that feed into stakeholders’ response
initiatives.
Partner with local businesses in providing services to Syrian refugees:
• Problem: Various kits are being distributed to the Syrian refugees, including food, non-
food items, and hygiene kits. Moreover, renovation works are being executed for homes
and spaces used by Syrian refugees. Yet in many cases, host communities are not
benefiting from the supply chain of these services due to the limitations imposed by
donors’ procurement regulations and the better price deals available within larger
businesses. Many Lebanese residents have complained that donor agencies and
international NGOs are deploying their teams to target communities with pre-procured
items instead of buying goods from local shops and hiring local manpower to finish
renovation works.
• Opportunity: There are many local businesses in rural areas that can supply aid kits and
provide renovation services, thus benefiting from the economic cycle of the relief
efforts.
12
13. • Suggestion: Local and international organizations that are providing relief services and
conducting renovation works are encouraged to hire local businesses in the targeted
regions whenever possible. This will create job opportunities for the host communities,
improve their socio-economic conditions, and alleviate tensions that might arise from
securing these services from outside the community.
Enable the Lebanese government to play an efficient and transparent role in coordinating
response efforts
• Problem: Coordination between UNHCR and local/international organizations on the
one hand, and between Lebanese government institutions supporting refugees on the
other—more specifically HRC—is not well-structured, which is causing lack of
responsiveness, delays in service delivery, and mismanagement of resources.
• Opportunity: International donors have made funding pledges to support Syrian
refugees, which could help Lebanese government institutions deal with this issue with
the least damages possible on the country.
• Suggestion: The Lebanese government should establish a clear and transparent
coordination mechanism and sign memorandums of understanding with all local and
international organizations supporting Syrian refugees, which will help to clarify the
respective roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders and maximize the use of
resources.
Good Practices to Improve the Quality of Basic Services
The increased population density caused by the continuous influx of Syrian refugees,
combined with weak infrastructure and the low quality of public services in the regions, is
causing local social tensions, negative competition, and increased poverty. This is allowing
rival sectarian and political groups to provide alternative services that mask political
agendas, contributing to political and security incidents. In light of this situation, the need
to improve the quality of basic services was underscored during stakeholder consultations
and field research. Below are recommendations for approaches and mechanisms designed
to improve services in response to the refugee crisis.
Allow and support the delivery of the Syrian school curriculum:
• Problem: Syrian students are facing difficulties in adapting to the Lebanese curriculum
due to many factors, including differences in the teaching language, crowded
classrooms, and cultural sensitivities between students. This is affecting the quality of
education and the performance of Lebanese and Syrian students, and often leading to
increased drop-out rates among Syrian students.
• Opportunity: Following the crisis, Syrian academics adapted the Syrian curriculum and
successfully piloted it in two schools in the North in the summer of 2012.
• Suggestion: Delivery of the adapted Syrian curriculum should be encouraged and
supported by using Lebanese schools in the afternoon for Syrian students. This will
13
14. ensure that Lebanese students’ enrollment is not affected while increasing the
enrollment of Syrian students. It will also lower the number of Syrian students dropping
out as well as create job opportunities for Syrian instructors.
Support the creation of additional temporary and permanent medical clinics and field
hospitals in rural areas:
• Problem: In some areas, Lebanese citizens complain that medical support is exclusively
targeting Syrian refugees while neglecting their needs. Moreover, there is a huge need
to provide additional health services to refugees in rural areas.
• Opportunity: The Lebanese Ministry of Health has established successful permanent
clinics in North Lebanon, specifically in Abou Samra, El Hiche, Tikrit, and Amayer,
which can be replicated in other regions. In addition, some international organizations
have set up temporary clinics that cater to the immediate health needs of refugees and
have proven to be scalable. There are many qualified doctors and nurses among Syrian
refugees, in addition to the Lebanese medical teams, who are willing to invest their time
and expertise in the service of refugees and host communities. Moreover, Syrian doctors
are coming from all over the world to volunteer their time and support the delivery of
medical services inside the clinics.
• Suggestion: The Ministry of Health, with support from international organizations,
should establish additional permanent clinics in other regions of Lebanon where
refugees are based in order to cover their needs and those of the host communities.
International organizations should also scale the temporary medical clinics to parallel
the escalating health needs triggered by the continuous influx of refugees. In addition to
providing medical support to a wider range of Syrian and Lebanese individuals, the
clinics will create job opportunities for Syrian and Lebanese doctors and nurses, and
consequently contribute to improving their socio-economic conditions.
Implement the “Task Shifting Model” to train host communities to provide technical
support to refugees:
• Problem: Despite the large number of organizations supporting refugees, there is still a
gap between the support provided and the current needs.
• Opportunity: The large number of unemployed educated individuals among the host
communities who are willing to support local and international organizations can be
leveraged to enhance assistance to the refugees.
• Suggestion: The “Task Shifting Model” is a successful practice adopted by various
organizations, notably the International Medical Corps (IMC) in Lebanon and Liberia,
whereby citizens from the host communities are trained to deliver psycho-social support
to refugees. In addition to building the capacities of the host communities and creating
job opportunities, this contributes to filling the gaps in the psycho-social field by
empowering localities to take responsibility for solving local problems and decreasing
the cost of procuring services from outside the community.
14
15. Empower Lebanese and Syrian youth organizations to participate in alleviating social and
economic problems at the community level:
• Problem: More services and support are targeting Syrian children and mothers. The
specific needs of Syrian youth are not being addressed adequately in the current services
provided.
• Opportunity: Youth are the future generations in Syria and Lebanon. Building their
capacities and empowering them will contribute to ensuring their integration in their
countries’ post-crisis phase.
• Suggestion: Local and international organizations are encouraged to design and
implement capacity building programs targeting both Lebanese and Syrian youth. The
programs will allow youth to gain interpersonal, leadership and critical thinking skills,
develop social awareness, and learn how to transform differences into opportunities for
improved partnerships between communities. Other technical skills that can be
beneficial to Syrian and Lebanese youth organizations include needs assessment,
fundraising, proposal writing, program development and management.
Promote an entrepreneurship mindset and skills within host communities and Syrian
refugee populations:
• Problem: The crisis has equally affected the socio-economic conditions of Lebanese
communities and Syrian refugees. Both lack capacities and skills to create local
economic opportunities that can help improve their economic conditions.
• Opportunity: With the proper support, Lebanese citizens can create small businesses in
regions and provide job opportunities for both Syrian and Lebanese communities.
Although Syrians cannot start up their own businesses in Lebanon due to legal
constraints, they can be equipped to do so when they return to their hometowns. Solid
curriculums on entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship have been developed by
leading organizations, which can be easily adapted to the local context of communities,
be they Syrian or Lebanese.
• Suggestion: Local and international organizations are encouraged to build the
entrepreneurial skills of Lebanese and Syrians to help them generate income, create job
opportunities, and develop business initiatives. These programs should target women,
youth, and other vulnerable groups to help them focus on development solutions and
self-empowerment.
15
16. Conclusion
The above good practices reflect the outcomes of research and consultations with local,
national and international stakeholders on ways to improve response efforts to the Syrian
refugee crisis. The following conditions summarize key factors for enhancing the quality and
efficiency of those efforts:
Take into consideration the needs of Lebanese host communities when planning and
responding to Syrian refugees’ needs.
Make use of available human resources, from both the Syrian and Lebanese
communities, to minimize response costs and provide employment opportunities.
Involve host communities in planning and implementation to help them take
responsibility in dealing with the refugee crisis.
Incorporating these key factors into response programs will help defuse tensions and foster
social cohesion within communities suffering from a myriad of social, economic and political
pressures.
16
17. List of References
1. Robbed of Childhood, Running from War. (2012) World Vision International.
2. Burde D., Kapit-Spitalny A., Wahl R., Guven O. (n.d.). Education and Conflict
Mitigation: What the Aid Workers Say.
3. Helpdesk Research Report: Preventing Conflict between Refugees and Host
Communities. (2012). Governance and Social Development Resource Center.
4. Heen, S. (2004). The Role of Microcredit in Conflict and Displacement Mitigation: A
Case Study in Cameroon.
5. Wassara, S.S. (2007). Traditional Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution in Southern Sudan.
6. Van Vliet S., Hourani G. (2012). Refugees of the Arab Spring: The Syrian Refugees in
Lebanon April 2011-April 2012.
7. Education Rapid Needs Assessment for Displaces Syrian Children. (2012). UNICEF LCO
Education Programme.
8. Rapid Assessment of the Impact of Syrian Crisis on Socio Economic Situation in North
and Bekaa. (2012). Development Management International.
9. Riccio, S. (2012). Multisectorial Assessment Report. Hndicap International.
10. Shelter Sector Strategy 2013. (2012). UNHCR, Lebanon. Retrieved from
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Lebanon%20Shelter%20sector%20s
trategy%20-%202013.pdf.
11. Syrian Regional Refugee Response. Information Sharing Portal: Lebanon. (2013).
UNHCR. Retrieved from http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/country.php?id=122
12. Ghadban, K. Director of DELTA. (November 29, 2012). Personal Interview by A.
Hmayed, BRD/I Group.
13. Omar, A. Project Manager at Akkar Development Association. (November 30, 2012).
Personal Interview by A. Hmayed, BRD/I Group.
14. Adra, A. Director of Akkarouna. (November 30, 2012). Personal Interview by A.
Hmayed, BRD/I Group.
15. Ayoubi, B. Project Development Specialist at the Office of Transition Initiatives, a
USAID funded project. (November 13, 2012). Personal Interview by A. Hmayed, BRD/I
Group.
16. Abi Allam, F. President of the Permanent Peace Movement. (November 30, 2012).
Personal Interview by H. Jadaoun, BRD/I Group.
17. Nassar, J. Officer in Charge at UNDP Peace Building Project. (November 29, 2012).
Personal Interview by A. Hmayed, BRD/I Group.
18. Semaan, L. Field Officer at UNHCR. (November 29, 2012). Personal Interview by A.
Hmayed, BRD/I Group.
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18. 19. Jbara, M. Director of SADA. (November 30, 2012). Personal Interview by A. Hmayed,
BRD/I Group.
20. Saba, N. Director of the Akkar Network for Development. (December 1, 2012). Personal
Interview by A. Hmayed, BRD/I Group.
21. Fakih, A and Hamoud, A. President and Project Coordinator at Shajar w Bashar.
(December 1, 2012). Personal Interview by A. Hmayed, BRD/I Group.
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