DRC is one of the few INGOs having been authorised in 2007 by the Syrian authorities to operate in the country and provide assistance to Iraqi refugees who fled the aftermaths of the 2003 US-led war and subsequent sectarian violence started in 2006. DRC activities in Syria firstly target Iraqi refugees, but include also non-Iraqi refugees and Syrian children/families within the sectors of protection, social rehabilitation, education and livelihood support.
Background and context
Following its Pan-Arabism policy, Syria has always opened its doors to neighbouring displaced (Palestinian, Lebanese, Somali, Afghan...). This has been the case for Iraqi people as well. The influx, started in 2003, reached a peak in 2009 with 240,000 refugees registered by UNHCR and 1.5 million residing Iraqis according to governmental estimates. Since then, many have returned to Iraq in a low profile. wishing thus to avoid losing their refugee status in Syria. As of August 2011, 130,000 Iraqis are still registered by UNHCR and most of them are unlikely to return to Iraq. Resettlement to a 3rd country is only an option for a small proportion while the residual caseload would be close to 100,000 refugees. The displacement has become protracted for many families who do face an increasing vulnerability due to limited livelihood opportunities. Not allowed to work in Syria, many Iraqis are forced to accept illegal jobs (that the Syrian authorities do consider with high tolerance) but fall sometimes into criminality (prostitution for instance has developed in some areas). The government of Syria has always granted Iraqis free access to public services like education and health despite the size of the Iraqi population and the burden put on its economy.
Protection
Since April 2008 and the start of its operations, DRC has developed its counselling component in the 6 community centres, where legal, social and educational counselling services are offered to beneficiaries. Most vulnerable cases are referred to UNHCR and other partners. Besides, a Women At Risk Centre was established in Damascus in 2009 where vocational training (including life skills and business management) and a set of protection services (legal, social, psychological counselling...) are provided to 230 SGBV survivors every year.
Social rehabilitation via community services
Core activity of DRC programme, community services are offered to displacement-affected people in 6 centres located in Damascus and rural Damascus (Sayeda Zeinab, Jaramana, Qudsaya and Mazaken Barzeh), Homs (Central Syria) and Deraa (southern region) in areas much populated by Iraqi refugees. DRC’s role is to facilitate the implementation by 200 refugee volunteers of a wide range of activities (English, computer courses, life skills, skills development...) designed mainly for social purposes. Around 5,000 beneficiaries a month attend courses and/or counselling sessions.
Education
DRC has rapidly engaged since June 2008 in Education first of all via school rehabilitation projects. 35 primary and secondary public schools have been expanded, maintained and equipped since then supporting indirectly more than 25,000 children. In 2009, a complementary soft education was added to the programme whereby 5,000 Iraqi and Syrian children a year do enjoy remedial-literacy classes, extra-curricular activities and awareness campaigns.
Livelihood support
2 special needs groups are targeted hereby: Women at risk and Adolescents at Risk. Women at risk are empowered through 6-month vocational training, business management, cash assistance, took kits and, for some of them, micro-grants. In parallel, 460 out-of-school refugee adolescents do follow 6-month vocational courses (11 activities are offered) and social support in the Damascus Training Centre of UNRWA who remains the main implementing partner of DRC livelihood support projects.
Partners and donors
