Resilience Building IN RESPONSE TO THE SYRIA CRISIS

Transcription

1 United Nations Development Programme Resilience Building IN RESPONSE TO THE SYRIA CRISIS Empowered lives Resilient nations 1

2 What I d like to tell you is that refugees may be a humanitarian issue, it starts as a humanitarian issue, but it has a direct relationship with development issues. There should be no separation between humanitarian and development it s all a part of development issues. Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary-General, 1 October 2014 TURKEY Reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience will require strong governance capacities to ensure that state institutions have the capacity to implement long-term and multi-sectoral risk reduction approaches, and to become more effective, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all most of all, the poorest and most vulnerable in communities. LEBANON SYRIA Helen Clark Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Development Group Chairperson EGYPT JORDAN Host countries will highlight the impact of the refugee situation on national response plans; the UN-system and donors will take into account the long-term consequences of the massive refugee influx in their development engagement and consider increasing assistance to host countries. Donors will strive to provide adequate funding and ensure better predictability of their funding, including through multi-year humanitarian and development pledges. Donors will consider ways to increase the use of development assistance inside Syria to build the resilience of communities and individuals to withstand the conflict, and where possible begin to rebuild, thereby creating livelihoods inside Syria. 2 Final Communiqué Berlin Conference on the Syrian Refugee Situation Supporting Stability in the Region 28 October 2014, Berlin

3 FOREWORD The Syria Crisis is the largest political, humanitarian and development challenge of our time. It has taken enormous casualties, caused widespread destruction, forced massive displacement, rolled back development progress and threatened generations across Syria and neighbouring countries. It has also challenged the international community to think and act differently in our collective response. UNDP has been at the forefront of new initiatives, working with national and international partners and across the UN System to bring about a shift in approach towards building resilience by addressing the humanitarian and development aspects of the crisis at the same time, in a coordinated fashion, through sustainable and nationally-led responses. A major milestone in this shift is coming soon as the UN launches and prepares to implement the Syria Response Plan (SRP) for 2015 as well as the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) for IRAQ This brochure helps solidify the case for resilience and also gives partners an opportunity to know more about UNDP s ongoing work within the frame of these important plans as well as the support we need to ensure our interventions are as robust as possible at this pressing juncture in each of the six countries of the subregion most affected by the crisis. Only by investing in sustainable solutions is it possible to contribute to rebuild Syria and the foundation of its societal structure and help Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt to cope and recover from the impact of the crisis. The effectiveness and mid- to long-term impact of each dollar invested in resilience cannot be overstated. With your help, we can bring about transformational change that supports sustainable human development and contributes to a better, more resilient future for the countries and peoples affected by this profound crisis. This brochure presents the case for a robust investment in the resilience of people, communities and institutional systems affected by the crisis. It also presents an overview of UNDP s proposed interventions and funding requirements in each of the six countries of the subregion: Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Sima Bahous UN Assistant Secretary General UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Regional Bureau for Arab States Chair of the Regional UNDG for the Arab States, Middle East and North Africa 3

4 CONTEXT Entering its fifth year in March 2015 and with no sign of a political solution in sight, the conflict in Syria has become the largest humanitarian, development and security crisis of our time. Development gains in the region are threatened as the economies of Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq continue to face a number of common challenges, including limited diversification of production and exports, weak regional economic integration and large youth unemployment. The crisis has diverted attention and resources from urgent development needs of national and local infrastructures and regulatory frameworks. The creation of livelihood opportunities is suffering from a lack of investment and has been insufficient to account for regional demographic trends, intensifying labour market competition, increasing unemployment levels and weakening social cohesion. For consecutive years, growth rates have remained below the 6 percent threshold needed to reduce the region s unemployment and improve living standards. Approximately 10.8 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance within the country and 7.6 million have been internally displaced by violence and destroyed livelihoods opportunities; it is estimated that the crisis has set Syria s development back an estimated 35 years, a legacy that may require decades to reverse. All neighbouring countries have incurred substantial costs to shield refugees and the most vulnerable host communities from the worst effects of the Syria crisis. As a result, the cumulative deficits of the past years have diminished earlier fiscal consolidation gains while public spending has become ever more reliant on foreign aid and grants, posing an increasingly urgent challenge in the face of growing donor fatigue. As the protracted nature of the crisis is adding more and more dimensions to its already complex nature, an increase in the transformation of the regional response has become imperative. Around 85 percent of the estimated 3.2 million Syrian refugees in the neighbouring countries are living in local communities outside of formal camp settings exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities in these areas. In this context, government services, resources and infrastructure, particularly social services, health march march SYRIA - Protests break out in Damascus and the southern city of Deraa. After violent clashes between government forces and protestors the situation escalates. april december JORDAN - 2,000 Syrian refugees are in the country. september july JORDAN - The country experiences an increase in refugees coming from Deraa, a town close to the Jordanian-Syrian border. july JORDAN - UNHCR opens the Za atari refugee camp and declares that it has a capacity of 113,000. april june june 4

5 care systems, education systems, housing capacities, water and sanitation facilities and energy, are overstretched by the mass influx. The adverse labour market effects of Syrian refugees throughout the region undermine social stability and erode solidarity among communities. Combined with recent developments in Iraq, the Syria crisis poses a growing threat to regional peace and security, as well as to the economic and social systems in neighbouring countries. A resilience-based development approach, aimed at restoring and supporting livelihoods and stability within Syria and the subregion, represents the best hope to bring an end to the sufferings of millions of people. Not only will it more closely respond to the human development aspirations of the individuals affected, but it will also contribute to the sustainability of the response and mitigate the impact of downward economic trends, sustain institutions, and anticipate and prevent future shocks. december SYRIA - 6,000 refugees returned to Syria from the Za atari camp by the end of the year, hearing that conditions have improved slightly. The UNHCR and other agencies appeal to international donors for US$1 billion to support refugees and host communities in the region, under RRP 4. april Number of Syrian refugees passes the 1 million mark. 7.6 Syria Million Syrians are internally displaced from their homes december The UN launches its largest ever appeal for a single crisis: launch of RRP 6, with funding requirements of US$ 4.2 billion, and (SHARP), with funding requirements of US$ 2.28 billion. november UNDP establishes the Sub-Regional Response Facility - Syria Related Crisis. Launch of the Regional UNDG Position Paper: A Resilience Based Development Response to the Syria Crisis. LEBANON - Launch of the Lebanon Roadmap of Priority Interventions for Stabilization from the Syrian Crisis 7.5 Lebanon Billions Total estimated cost of the crisis to Lebanon by the end of Million march UNICEF reports that 1.2 million Syrian children (dubbed a lost generation ) are living as refugees. april LEBANON- Refugees in Lebanon pass the 1 million mark. UNDP and UNHCR establish a Joint Regional Secretariat based in Jordan may Millions december Launch of the Lebanon Launch Crisis of Response the Regional Plan Refugee and Resilience by Prime Plan Minister (3RP), that integrates and Deputy a comprehensive Secretary humanitarian and development General of response. the UN Syria Children refugees Iraq 97% of Syrian refugees in Iraq are in Kurdistan Lebanon 20% unemployment rate (rate doubled to above 20% in ) 4.2 Jordan 29.3% Youth unemployment rate in 2013 (% of ages 15-24) Syria of Syrian refugees have fled into neighbouring countries over a years period Jordan 85% of Syrian refugees in Jordan lives in host communities december Launch of the (3RP), that integrates a comprehensive humanitarian and development response. june september july TURKEY - Refugees in Turkey pass the 1 million mark. january UNDP Administrator and UNHCR High Commissioner sign a new regional MOU on the Syria and Iraq situation. january KUWAIT - The First International pledging Conference for Syria is held in Kuwait. 43 UN member states pledge a total of US$1.5 billion. september SYRIA - UN weapons inspectors conclude that chemical weapons were used in an attack on Ghouta, Damascus, in August; they do not attribute responsibility to any party. Number of Syrian refugees passes the 2 million mark. KUWAIT - The Second International pledgingconference for Syria is held in Kuwait. Together, the international community and the Gulf States pledge over US$2.4 billion. Launch of the NO Lost Generation campaign to raise US$1 billion for Syrian children. JORDAN - Launch of the National Resilience Plan. august Syrian refugees pass the 3 million mark. 5

6 WHY DOES INVESTING IN RESILIENCE MATTER? BECAUSE any possible durable response should make the most of existing capacities, knowledge, resources and technology available in the region. Compared to other similar areas exposed to crisis, the region benefits from a critical mass of domestic resources to be fostered and used for sustainable responses. Refugees face huge challenges and have serious humanitarian needs that must be met, but host countries also bear the burden of the crisis and are in need of support, especially in situations of protracted crisis and where refugees are living in host communities rather than in camps. Moreover, humanitarian and development assistance to fragile and conflict-affected states is facing increased demand and reduced available resources throughout the world. With a combined request exceeding US$6 billion, the 2014 SHARP and RRP6 were the largest humanitarian appeals ever launched by the United Nations. However, despite the extremely generous support provided by donors over the last years, millions of refugees and people displaced by the conflict remain in need for help in Syria and throughout the subregion. The effects of this mass influx of refugees and displaced people on local communities remain daunting and possibly of long duration. With the threat of further destabilization in the region, there is increasing recognition that humanitarian and life-saving interventions alone are insufficient to meet the needs of and mitigate the risks that host communities face and that a more integrated approach that simultaneously and coherently addresses short, medium and long-term needs is required in order to support the conflict-affected countries. Within the UN System, UNDP has championed this debate, arguing that a shift towards resilience-based interventions is necessary to strengthen stabilization in host communities and progressively shift towards development investments to address present and future shocks. This has led to the adoption by the Regional UNDG of the resilience-based development approach, the centrepiece of a new and more effective way to deliver UN assistance to all vulnerable communities, refugees and hosts in the context of the Syria crisis. INVESTING IN RESILIENCE WILL: OPTIMIZE EXISTING RESOURCES BY INVESTING IN MORE DURABLE SOLUTIONS AND AVOIDING PARALLEL MECHANISMS STRENGTHEN INFRASTRUCTURES AND NATIONAL CAPACITIES THAT ARE MORE SUSTAINABLE OVER THE LONG TERM STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUALS, HOST COMMUNITIES AND STATES TO COPE WITH AND RECOVER FROM POSSIBLE FUTURE SHOCKS REDUCE THE COST OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE IN THE MEDIUM TERM 6 Investing in resilience enhances aid effectiveness by supporting the capacity of national service delivery systems to address the needs of communities hosting an increasing number of refugees. This will reduce the needs of creating parallel systems and reduce the cost of the humanitarian response in the medium term. In addition, the investments in public infrastructure and national capacities will lead to sustainable improvements and durable transformational changes, equipping host governments with the means to cope with this and possible future shocks. By creating and supporting livelihoods opportunities, resilience-based development will also reduce the incidence of poverty and vulnerability among host communities and refugees, thereby lowering the overall bill for humanitarian relief.

7 WHY IS RESILIENCE THE BEST ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE S NEEDS? BECAUSE People s needs and aspiration are best supported through a process of transformation leading to self-sustainability, improvement and growth. In a region that achieved middle-income levels and a steady increase in human development performance over the last decades, humanitarian assistance is only the first step that allows people and communities to cope with the shock of the crisis. The protracted nature of the crisis and its long-term impact on the people affected call for a more comprehensive set of solutions that allow the individuals and communities not only to survive and adapt, but also to recover their previous development levels and to improve and transform their livelihoods skills to capitalize on the opportunities of a changing region. For instance, the UNDP 3x6 approach will be used in host communities to address demands by youth for immediate and sustainable employment through implementation of three main components: 1) income generation and building of capital through rapid employment activities and compulsory savings; 2) training and creation of a business plan; and 3) financial grants for the implementation of sustainable, entrepreneurial economic activities. Local institutions and particularly municipalities are at the forefront of the crisis to provide basic services and maintain social cohesion. Yet most of them are generally small and lack the capacity, resources and staff to cope effectively. The UNDP response increasingly focuses on supporting local institutions and systems to play a leading role in building social cohesion. In the area of sustainable habitat, UNDP will promote the use of solar energy and solar heating systems to reduce the pressure on the power grid, empower people and communities and test innovative solutions. Natural resource and solid waste management programmes will help the affected municipalities improve their environmental performance and provide a cleaner, healthier and more productive environment to the population. UNDP will also capacitate local institutions to engage in conflict-sensitive participatory processes. This involves strengthening the operational capacity of municipalities in areas such as strategic planning, fundraising, project management, coordination and links to the national-level policies. INVESTING IN RESILIENCE WILL: SUPPORT A PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION LEADING TO SELF-SUSTAINABILITY, IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH SUPPORT EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND LIVELIHOODS OPPORTUNITIES ENCOURAGE A GREATER CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS. IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND PROVIDE A CLEANER, HEALTHIER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO THE POPULATION. In the area of gender, UNDP s resilience-based interventions will not simply focus on providing protection and rehabilitation, but strive to strengthen the capacity of individuals and communities to prevent gender-based violence (GBV), thus contributing to social cohesion and the rule of law. Transformation efforts will capitalize on shifting gender roles during the crisis to encourage a greater contribution of women to the achievement of growth and sustainable solutions. 7

8 HOW IS RESILIENCE CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIAL AND REGIONAL STABILITY? BECAUSE Resilience-based strategies will aim to enhance national conflict prevention capacities and structures and promote local governance models that ensure the inclusion of diversity within and between communities. At the same time, they will strengthen local communities, limit instances of violence based on perceived inequalities and access to limited resource. Prior to the Syrian civil war, the subregion had already suffered from a series of regional crises. The resulting waves of displacement and refugees put severe strains on national systems and host communities. In this fragile environment, the political, humanitarian and development risks posed by the Syrian conflict have begun to threaten the stability of the region. As the violence and fighting in Syria have moved more deeply into the region, a continuum that links the humanitarian crisis and its impact on development together with social cohesion and stability is emerging, pointing to the risk of conflict spill-over from Syria into neighbouring countries. For instance, Iraq, in addition to hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, has now been entirely engulfed by conflict, with massive internal displacement that is putting further pressure on the management of the crisis. In other parts of the region, growing instances of violence based on perceived inequalities as well as mounting demands for municipal and government services are weakening relationships and structures that help nurture stability within communities. Preserving social cohesion and preventing conflicts is a central objective of the newly adopted resilience-based development approach. RESILIENCE-BASED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WILL: ENHANCE NATIONAL CONFLICT PREVENTION CAPACITIES AND STRUCTURES PROMOTE LOCAL GOVERNANCE MODELS THAT ENSURE THE INCLUSION OF DIVERSITY WITHIN COMMUNITIES STRENGTHEN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LIMIT INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE BASED ON PERCEIVED INEQUALITIES EQUIP YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS WITH THE SKILLS TO LIVE IN A MULTICULTURAL AND DIVERSE SOCIETY Rebuilding sustainable livelihood systems and strategies will also be an essential part of the crisis recovery interventions, with a special focus on income generation and job creation, as these are essential for economic recovery and the prevention of further conflicts. Finally, targeted interventions will nurture a culture of tolerance to counter all forms of extremism, xenophobia and radicalism, which threaten peace and stability. 8

9 WHAT ARE THE POPULATION AND DEMO- GRAPHIC SCENARIOS IN THE REGION? WHILE political efforts to find a solution to the conflict continue, all signs indicate that the human costs of the crisis are increasing, that population movements are accelerating and that vulnerabilities are worsening. In this context, the assumptions for 2015 must include the possibility for continued violence and insecurity inside Syria and Iraq, continued economic downturn and erosion of fiscal space; limited, if any, voluntary refugee returns; and continued refugee outflows at a magnitude similar to current trends. As of the end of 2014, it is estimated that an additional 900,000 Syrian refugees might arrive in the five host countries during This would yield a refugee planning figure across the region of around 3 million by the end of In host countries, it is expected that the pro-tracted emergency will further deplete the resources of refugees and decrease the capacity of the most vulnerable among them to meet their basic needs. In countries in the region that already experience considerable poverty rates (14 percent Jordan, 26 percent Egypt and 28.5 percent Lebanon), refugees crowd already poor and vulnerable areas with limited livelihoods, housing and social services. Unless met by stronger planning and service delivery capacities, the expected rise in the number of refugees throughout 2015 will continue impacting millions of vulnerable people living in communities hosting refugees and displaced persons. POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC FORECAST FOR 2015 : CONTINUED VIOLENCE AND INSECURITY INSIDE SYRIA AND IRAQ UP TO ADDITIONAL 900,000 SYRIANS DISPLACED IN THE HOST COUNTRIES BY THE END OF 2015 TOTAL OF 3 MILLION REFUGES ACROSS THE REGION BY THE END OF 2015 FURTHER DEPLETION OF RESOURCES AND CAPACITIES INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTIONS DIRECTED TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL SYSTEMS, SUPPORT LIVELIHOODS OPPORTUNITIES, AND BUILD THE RESILIENCE OF HOST COMMUNITIES Given the growing international concern about regional stability, there is an increased imperative for a shift towards resilience-based interventions that will help Syria and host countries in the region to cope and recover from the effects of these prolonged demographic and economic shocks. While meeting the immediate protection needs of the people affected, international solidarity should be progressively directed to help host governments strengthen their national systems, support livelihoods opportunities, build the resilience of host communities and optimize the use of existing domestic resources and capacities. 9

10 WHY AN ALLIANCE OF PARTNERS FOR RESILIENCE? BECAUSE The nature of the crisis in Syria, its prolonged duration and its devastation inside the country and in entire sub region are challenging standard aid responses and coordination mechanisms. Joining the knowledge and resources of humanitarian and development partners as well as the capacities, technology and infrastructure of the private and public sectors to better respond to the crisis is no more an option, but an imperative. Building a robust partnership alliance for resilience means, in practical terms, going beyond the humanitarian and development silos to make a more strategic, intensive and integrated use of external and domestic resources and capacities in the sub region. To facilitate a paradigm shift in the response to the crisis, UNDP has first rallied all UN development agencies to support the adoption of the resilience-based approach within the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and then promoted the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), a global first for the UN in terms of its response to crises. The Final Communiqué of the Berlin Conference on the Syrian Refugee Situation held on 28 October 2014 welcomed the UN s coordinating role and noted that to ensure comprehensive and coherent humanitarian and development responses, donors, international organisations, the UN and host countries will overcome institutional barriers to work together to reduce transaction costs and duplication. All participants will continue to coordinate closely under host country lead supported by the UN. AN ALLIANCE OF PARTNERS FOR RESILIENCE WILL: MAINSTREAM THE RESILIENCE-BASED APPROACH IN THE 3RP AND SRP IMPLEMENTATION EXPAND THE DONOR BASE OF THE RESPONSE TO INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT ACTORS PROMOTE INNOVATION IN THE DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF SOLUTIONS TO THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS MONITOR PROGRESS IN THE RESILIENCE AGENDA AND COLLECT LESSONS TO BE APPLIED TO OTHER CRISIS CONTEXTS EXPAND THE SOLUTION TOOLKIT BY INVOLVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ACADEMIA AND THE LARGER DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY The 3RP and SRP offers numerous entry points for resilience-based development. At the county level, UNDP has supported national authorities in Lebanon and Jordan in producing comprehensive national response plans and led a coalition of partners in strengthening the appeal for the livelihoods and social cohesions sectors and adopting a resilience-based approach throughout the response. At the regional and global levels, UNDP has engaged within the UN system and the humanitarian and development community to mobilize the technology, knowledge and financial resources to better respond to the Syria crisis. Many partners, including national and local government authorities, non-government organizations, UN agencies, refugee and impacted community representatives, are now involved in the delivery of the 3RP and SRP and ensuring sustainability at all levels. 10

11 Young Jordanian Yahia receives on-the-job training as part of the UNDP s Vocational training programme on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning as part of the Host Communities Project. Jordan, February photo: UNDP/Alessandra Blasi UNDP will strive to guide and expand this alliance of partners to mainstream the resilience-based approach in the 3RP and SRP implementation and future national response plans. An active alliance for resilience will enlarge the donor base of the response and include development actors; promote innovation in the design and delivery of solutions to the people and communities affected by the crisis; and monitor progress in the resilience agenda and collect lessons to be applied to other crisis contexts. Finally, the participation of the private sector, academia and the larger development community will contribute to a more effective and comprehensive set of tools to address the complexity of the Syria crisis. 11

12 UNDP PROGRAMMES AND BUDGETS IN THE 3RP AND SRP The humanitarian assistance provided under the 3RP and SRP will cover sectors ranging from food, health, water, sanitation and protection to education, nutrition and livelihoods. Despite these substantive and critical efforts, the continuing growth of the crisis, the impact on refugees and host countries, and the shortfalls in funding all show that the international response must still increase and improve. Moreover, with the crisis enduring and refugees and host countries having to cope and recover from the current situation, the international response needs to incorporate a longer-term perspective. This requires building on the strong humanitarian basis of aid so far and working to strengthen the capacities of host countries their populations, governments and institutions to cope better with the consequences of the conflict in Syria and to prosper over the longer term. With a total budget requirement of US$490,534,876 US$418,700,278 in the RP appeal and US$71, 834,598 in the SRP appeal through a large and diversified network of national, governmental and non-governmental organizations and partners, UNDP will implement a wide range of programmes aimed at supporting the livelihoods, social cohesion, basic needs, protection, health, shelter sectors as well as the regional coordination of the resiliencebased response. The UNDP content of the 3RP and SRP is expected to be catalytic and to leverage existing and new resources for responses that can be taken to scale. BUDGET REQUIREMENTS UNDP Office 2015 budget in the 3RP and SRP Lebanon 221,792,278 Jordan 102,558,000 Turkey 58,750,000 Egypt 16,000,000 Iraq 15,600,000 Subregional Response Facility 4,000,000 3RP US$ 418,700,278 Syria/SRP 71,834,598 Total 3RP/SRP US$ 490,534,876 UNDP ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET REQUIREMENTS IN THE SYRIA SRP 2015 Syria 2015 SRP Early Recovery and Livelihoods 66,645,720 Non-Food Items (NFIs) and Shelter 2,721,600 Health 393,678 WASH 2,073,600 US$71,834,598 12

13 UNDP ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET REQUIREMENTS IN THE 3RP AT THE COUNTRY LEVEL Lebanon RP Livelihoods 98,166,667 Municipal Services and conflict management 103,625,611 Health 6,000,000 Shelter 2,000,000 WASH 12,000,000 US$ 221,792,278 Jordan Municipal Services and Transport (Municipal Services only) RP 31,000,000 Food Security and Livelihoods 24,000,000 Social Protection and Justice 6,350,000 Shelter, Environment and Energy (Environment and Energy only) 40,808,000 Basic Needs 400,000 US$ 102,558,000 Turkey RP Livelihoods 33,250,000 Basic needs and essential services 25,500,000 Egypt US$58,750, RP Livelihoods 15,500,000 Basic needs 500,000 US$ 16,000,000 Iraq RP Livelihoods 14,200,000 Protection 1,400,000 US$ 15,600,000 UNDP ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET REQUIREMENTS AT THE SUBREGIONAL LEVEL Sub-regional Response Facility Development and integration of resilience into national and regional response plans to the Syria crisis Innovative knowledge products and advisory services for Country Offices, including resilience analysis tools and information management systems Public outreach and strategic partnership 2015 budget in the 3RP and SRP 1,400,000 2,000, ,000 US$ 4,000,000 13

14 SYRIA CONTEXT For almost four years, Syria has been witnessing a protracted conflict that has directly resulted in losses of human lives, significant displacement and migration, weakened social services, destruction of basic social infrastructure and significant loss of livelihoods, destruction of homes and property and the deterioration of the rule of law and security. The crisis in Syria has caused rising prices for goods and services, job loss and growing unemployment and damage to the production sectors and infrastructure. This, combined with a stinging economic recession, has exacerbated poverty levels throughout the country and swollen the numbers of IDPs who lost their property and assets. More than 75 percent of the Syrian population live in poverty, while 56 percent face the challenges of unemployment. Vulnerability increased at higher rates due to the deterioration of many socio-economic factors, including loss of lives, sudden disability, deterioration of normal living conditions and disruption of social and rehabilitation services. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians continue to live in areas of active conflict in Deir Ezzor, Raqqa, Deraa, among other governorates. Many of these communities live in profound vulnerability, with civilian communities frequently overwhelmed by armed engagements and exposed to life-threatening deprivation. Towards the end of 2014, many Syrian refugees were not able to leave the country due to blocks on the border with Lebanon, a fact that left this already vulnerable population with nowhere to flee to. The number of people with disabilities is increasing, mainly in areas of severe conflict. Women, youth, the elderly and children are caught in the conflict, which is increasing their pre-existing vulnerabilities. UNDP PARTNER OF CHOICE UNDP is implementing a unique resilience programme in Syria that supports Syrian people in their hour of need by means of employment and small business support. The programme goes way beyond humanitarian assistance in the sense that it builds resilience; it shows that Syria and Syrians do not have to rely only on humanitarian hand-outs for survival. The programme is meant to decrease undesired dependencies and also incentivizes Syrians to stay in Syria and not to flee across the border. The implementation modalities for this programme are unique and specially tailored for the situation in Syria. Implementation is done through NGO s, community- and faith-based organizations while coordinated with authorities at national and local levels. Contracting and monitoring is done by UNDP field teams present in 10 of the 14 Governorates of Syria. SYRIA BILLION is the total loss incurred by the Syrian economy during

15 LEADING THE RESILIENCE BASED RESPONSE With an increasing recognition amongst concerned actors and the international community that the crisis in Syria is compromising development gains, UNDP has been leading the advocacy of mainstreaming the resilience approach into the humanitarian and livelihoods assistance framework in Syria, especially in view of mounting social tensions and scarce socio-economic resources. As a result, there is a growing acknowledgment that current life-saving humanitarian funding and programming are neither sufficient nor sustainable and that a more developmentoriented approach is necessary to build resilience and reduce the need for humanitarian assistance over the longer term. UNDP s approach in Syria focuses on enhancing resilience in communities in order to restore and stabilize livelihoods and facilitate income generation, thereby avoiding further destitution, marginalization and dependence on aid. Special focus is placed on vulnerable groups such as IDPs, youth, woman-headed households and people with disabilities. UNDP interventions will help to lay the foundation for a more resilient community through a) labour-intensive rehabilitation of basic community infrastructure for improving service delivery (such as cash-for-work schemes to collect solid waste and remove debris and rehabilitate schools) and b) restoration and stabilization of disrupted livelihoods (such as start-up grants, assets replacement and targeted vocational training and microfinancing). UNDP Syria will promote social cohesion and reconciliation through community-based socio-economic recovery activities, engaging with local actors to ensure community participation and representation in the early recovery efforts. Moreover, UNDP will promote the substitution of humanitarian assistance by reinforcing the use of local resources in order to stimulate local socio-economic recovery. UNDP will focus on the development of local actors capacities to strengthen their livelihoods and enhance their endurance to shocks and positive coping mechanisms against further vulnerabilities and stresses. SYRIA 12.2 MILLION people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria 15

16 RESULTS* Since the beginning of 2014, UNDP scaled up its early recovery and resilience interventions targeting 12 highly affected governorates in Syria. Relying on its area-based approach in planning and programming, UNDP is currently implementing 47 recovery, resilience and livelihoods projects. Until July 2014, a total of 1,527,977 crisis affected people all over Syria benefitted from UNDP s support. UNDP s recovery, resilience and livelihoods programme was conceived, designed and is implemented as an integral component of the Syrian Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP) as it is agreed upon between the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Nations in Syria. Projects are implemented with local authorities at different levels, non-governmental organizations, and community and faith-based organizations active in communities all over Syria. Almost 50,000 people in the governorates of Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Ar- Raqqa, As- Sweida, Damascus, Deir-Ez-zor, Dara, Hama, Homs, Idleb, Rural Damascus and Tartous directly benefitted from emergency employment opportunities, small businesses restoration, and targeted rehabilitation services for woman-headed households, people with disabilities and tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS patients, leading to an overall improvement of their dire living conditions. Around 8,000 emergency employment opportunities were created benefiting 37,629 individuals including direct dependent family members in Aleppo, Al Hassakeh, Ar-Raqqa, Damascus, Deir-Ez-zor, Dara, Hama, Homs, Idleb and Tartous. Over 75% of the employment opportunities served the removal and disposal of more than 10,000 tons of solid waste from 61 neighborhoods allowing as such around 1.4 million residents including IDPs and host communities to enjoy better health and cleaner environment conditions around their homes. 25% of employment opportunities were generated through the restoration of livelihoods including the revival of productive workshops and local micro-tosmall businesses. 544 micro and small businesses are restored and rehabilitated benefitting 6,305 persons in Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Ar-Raqqa, Deir-Ez-zor, Hama, Homs, Rural Damascus and Tartous. UNDP s assistance consisted of direct procurement from local workshops and small businesses and the provision or replacement of productive assets, in addition to the provision of vocational training which facilitated the revival of micro and small businesses. Over 1,000 woman-headed households, including 42 women with disability, received livelihoods support directly benefiting 3,399 persons. The livelihoods support consisted of targeting womenheaded households for the provision of emergency employment in sewing and food processing workshops, assets and tools replacement and cash for work initiatives in Al-Hasakeh, Hama and Tartous. 1,627 persons with disabilities were provided with rehabilitation services and mobility aids. UNDP continued its medical support to 3,000 tuberculosis patients and 150 persons living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to the almost 50,000 direct beneficiaries around 1.5 million crisis affected persons all over Syria are enjoying better health, environmental and living conditions as a result of UNDP s livelihoods and resilience programme. Families of people employed, residents and IDPs living in the 61 neighborhoods where solid waste manage activities are conducted, crisis affected population with better access to local markets restored and rehabilitated are all among the 1.5 million persons targeted by UNDP s area-based programming. 16 * See also UNDP Response in Syria: Restoration and Stabilization of Livelihoods Mid-Year Report, January-July 2014

17 UNDP SYRIA IN THE SRP UNDP Syria is the early recovery and livelihoods sector lead and has also established two technical working groups: one for NGOs/CBOs capacity development and another for damage and livelihoods assessments. UNDP will also be a partner in the non-food items and shelter, health and WASH sectors. Foreseen funding requirements for UNDP s work in these sectors in 2015 total US$71,834,598. The exact budget requirements for 2016 remain to be defined PROGRAMME AND BUDGET EARLY RECOVERY AND LIVELIHOODS HEALTH NON-FOOD ITEMS / SHELTER OUTPUT SRP 2015 Resilience of affected population and institutions enhanced through labour-intensive rehabilitation of basic and social infrastructure Coping mechanisms of affected population strengthened through restoration of disrupted livelihoods Resilience of the vulnerable groups (including youth, female-headed households, persons with disabilities) enhanced through targeted rehabilitation and livelihoods support 31,795,200 14,688,000 18,153,720 Assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring capacities of international, national and local partners 2,008,800 strengthened for a coherent and coordinated early recovery and livelihoods response US $ 66,645,720 OUTPUT SRP 2015 Basic domestic NFIs for IDPs and hosting community 2,721,600 US$2,721,600 OUTPUT SRP 2015 National TB and HIV/AIDs programmes in Syria supported 393,678 US$393,678 WASH OUTPUT SRP 2015 Solar energy solutions for water heating in shelters 2,073,600 US$2,073,600 The names of the sectors correspond to the IASC cluster system. For further information: Janthomas Hiemstra - UNDP Country Director - janthomas.hiemstra@undp.org 17

18 LEBANON CONTEXT After four years of receiving people displaced from Syria in Lebanon as the consequence of the war, Lebanon s Government and people now face a critical test of stability. The number of people living in Lebanon has increased by 30 percent compared to 2011 and now includes 1.2 million Syrians registered with UNHCR. The number of poor living in Lebanon has also risen by an estimated 66 percent since 2011, to 2.2 million. The increase in the displaced population has placed serious strains on already fragile public infrastructures, especially with respect to waste, water and sanitation systems. Schools and health centres are overwhelmed by the drastic increase in the population caused by the mass influx of Syrians. Central and local levels of government face a widening gap between the scale of emerging challenges and their fiscal and organizational capacities to meet them. The unemployment rate has doubled in the past years and is disproportionately affecting women and youth. For the poorest local communities daily life is increasingly dominated by poverty and debt, rising waste and pollution, overstretched services and increased competition for work. UNDP PARTNER OF CHOICE UNDP is the leading partner for development projects in Lebanon which is reflected by the wide range of donors such as UK Aid, the European Union and the governments of Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Japan and other countries and institutions. UNDP has a close and productive relationship with the Government of Lebanon, as is demonstrated in its work with the Ministry of Social Affairs in producing the Maps of Risks and Resources for vulnerable communities and in leading the Host Community Support Programme. But also with the Ministries of Interior, Water and Energy, among others UNDP has solid relationships that date back from before the current crisis. Also, UNDP is the lead agency on Stabilization for the entire Lebanon Crisis Response Plan and 3RP. In addition, UNDP leads the Sector Groups on Social Stability and Livelihoods. With its network of sub-offices staffed by persons with specific coordination functions, UNDP has strong operational capacity that provides outstanding value for investment. LEBANON BILLION is the estimated fiscal cost of the crisis to Lebanon during

19 LEADING THE RESILIENCE BASED RESPONSE UNDP is partnering with the Lebanese Government, UN agencies and NGOs to preserve development gains and contribute to stability through the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) which is the Lebanon chapter to the 3RP. UNDP has developed programmes that address needs in the health, livelihoods, shelter, social stability and WASH sectors with innovative and catalytic interventions. UNDP efforts will primarily focus on supporting host communities to improve workforce employability and the capacity of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises to create jobs. At the municipal and local levels, UNDP is working with 148 municipalities through the Municipal Mapping of Risks and Resources (MRR) methodology to strengthen the delivery of basic services and communities will be supported to peacefully address disputes and conflicts. At the national level, UNDP will provide technical support to state institutions to strengthen the national disaster, crisis management and coordination capacity of the government. UNDP will also engage the media to promote positive messages and to counter misperceptions about people displaced from Syria. UNDP interventions will improve access to, coverage and quality of primary health care services by conducting assessments, providing essential equipment and training health care workers. Through infrastructure support, UNDP will improve access to clean water, sewage disposal, solid waste collection, roads and electricity networks. Furthermore, the living conditions in Palestinian Gatherings will be improved through increasing the supply of safe and equitable access to enough water for drinking, cooking and personal and domestic hygiene. All of these activities will be integrated in support of targeting the most vulnerable members of the population. 19

20 RESULTS For the year 2014 significant results have been achieved in the aforementioned areas of which the following examples are just a few: In Wadi Khaled, in the North, where water consumption has increased by 30 percent due to the crisis, households must rely on costly and poor quality private providers of tanked water. UNDP is preparing to install a water network in 2015 that will provide a durable solution for community needs. An evident effect of the crisis is increased intracommunity tensions, making UNDP support for peace-building at the local level imperative. In all targeted municipalities, this involves engaging relevant actors in mapping potential causes of conflict and possible solutions. The results are translated into simple local strategies for social stability. The core ideas of the municipal strategies are then consolidated into policy messages for the central government. In Sarafand in the South, the country s largest fish market serves as an essential source of income for the local population. UNDP is rehabilitating and equipping the market and strengthening the management capacity of the cooperative that runs it, benefiting directly more than 1,100 fishermen and their families and indirectly 5,500 other members of the community. process the increased wastewater generated by the expanded population. This has resulted in alarmingly polluted rivers and increased health risks as raw sewage escapes into the environment. UNDP is rehabilitating and enlarging the main tank to enhance the facility s capacity. UNDP Lebanon is producing several studies in its efforts to gauge the effect of previous work and to target areas for future intervention. A study of the impact of humanitarian aid on the Lebanese economy covers the work of UNDP, UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF, agencies that gave US$820 million more than 70 percent of total UN aid funding from QIV 2011 to QII The last phase of this study is expected to be complete at the end of January Also UNDP has produced the Host Community Tracking Report, which provides detailed information on the level of support provided to Lebanese host communities and public institutions under the sixth Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP6). Finally, UNDP Lebanon partnered with the leading Lebanese think-tank Lebanon Support in a conflict mapping and analysis project, which aims at providing LCRP partners and the general public with an online mapping system tracking incidents and conflict instances on an ongoing basis, and with periodical analysis of conflict dynamics in specific locations. In Lebanon, 92 percent of the sewage runs untreated into watercourses. In the southern village of Habbariyeh, the treatment facility is unable to 20

21 UNDP LEBANON IN THE 3RP Foreseen funding requirements for UNDP s work in these sectors in 2015 total US$ 221,792,278. The exact budget requirements for 2016 remain to be defined. LIVELIHOODS OUTPUT 2015 Rapid Income-Generating programmes implemented 40,000,000 Workforce employability improved 13,666,667 Capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to create jobs improved 21,500,000 Value chains strengthened and upgraded 15,000,000 Policies, strategies and plans for jobs, MSMEs and livelihoods promoted 8,000,000 US$98,166,667 OUTPUT PROGRAMME AND BUDGET LMUNICIPAL SERVICES HEALTH AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Community capacity for conflict management improved 768,347 Local government capacitated to mitigate tensions through improved basic services delivery 93,309,971 National institutions capacity to mitigate tensions strengthened 9,362,293 Conflict sensitivity mainstreamed by providing conflict analysis and capacity-building to the response to the Syria crisis 185,000 US$103,625,611 OUTPUT 2015 Standard Public Health Centers (PHC) services 200,000 Poor families enabled to fully benefit from the cash received through the provision of access to key financial services 5,800,000 US$6,000,000 OUTPUT 2015 SHELTER Conditions in temporary settlements improved 2,000,000 US$2,000,000 WASH OUTPUT 2015 Water supply 5,050,000 Water management 1,000,000 Excreta disposal 950,000 Solid waste management 4,200,000 Hygiene promotion and provision of hygiene items 800,000 US$12,000,000 For further information: Luca Renda - UNDP Country Director - luca.renda@undp.org 21

22 JORDAN CONTEXT Since the start of the crisis, approximately 618,650 Syrian refugees have fled to Jordan, with more than 80 percent of them residing in host communities and the rest in camps. This has increased pressure on existing infrastructure and public service provision in the host communities, worsened already stretched public finances and highlighted the need for urgent public investment in sectors such as education, health, water and sanitation, energy and municipal services. Crowding effects in the local market, in particular with regards to housing, are widely reported in the northern governorates, as is pressure on basic service delivery, especially energy provision and solid waste management, where municipalities are unable to meet the demands. With respect to livelihoods, the influx of Syrian refugees has created keen competition for jobs and income-generating opportunities, particularly in the governorates of Mafraq, Irbid and Amman. Furthermore, tensions between refugees and host communities over the use of resources and services are escalating. UNDP PARTNER OF CHOICE The development community has concluded that there needs to be greater integration of relief, recovery, and long-term planning in order to address the comprehensive nature of the challenge. Since the beginning of the Syria crisis, UNDP has believed in the importance of coordinating support for host communities with international actors and government to promote long-term resilience and to counter duplication, including through area-based coordination mechanisms. With its extensive experience and existing network of contacts with regional, national and local stakeholders, UNDP is uniquely qualified to maximize development investment in the promotion of long-term resilience. JORDAN 25% decline in agricultural exports 30% decline in imports to Syria 22

23 LEADING THE RESILIENCE BASED RESPONSE To meet these challenges, UNDP is leading the Resilience-based Response in the 3RP in Jordan and will scale up and invest in catalytic interventions. Given the huge burden placed on municipalities for services and basic infrastructure, UNDP will support local governance structures to provide adequate services in host communities, focusing on waste management, local development planning and capacity development for financial and fiscal management. In the livelihoods sector, UNDP will create more and better job opportunities for vulnerable populations and revive the local economies of the most-affected areas for sustainable employment and income generation. Working with the private sector, UNDP will support the establishment and growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, particularly targeting vulnerable households. UNDP will work in the sustainable habitat areas and strive to decrease the impact of crisis on vulnerable ecosystems and communities and to establish new renewable energy power supply capacities. Additional UNDP priorities remain enhancing access to justice for the most vulnerable women, girls, boys and men in Jordan and improving social protection and poverty alleviation mechanisms for vulnerable people affected by the crisis. UNDP Vocational Training and Employment Programme, Car Mechanics, Irbid Governorate UNDP in Jordan, photo: UNDP/Alessandra Blasi 23

24 RESULTS In March 2013, UNDP Jordan launched the project Mitigating the Impact of the Syrian Refugees Crisis on Jordanian Vulnerable Host Communities. The project aimed to sustain social and economic stability and to enable Jordanians to pursue their aspirations for human development. The project fully acknowledges and addresses the limited absorptive capacity of the labour market in certain areas and recognizes gaps in available social and economic services and infrastructure, the current inequality of wages between men and women and the disparity between rural and urban areas. This ambitious undertaking has achieved much, including: Creating short-term employment opportunities and developing economic recovery initiatives geared towards improving livelihoods and the delivery of basic social services. The project identified five municipalities in Mafraq and targeted 500 beneficiaries, 50 percent of whom were women. Work has started in three municipalities and 300 vulnerable people are now in cash-for-work activities. Enhancing local economic development through skills-matching, MSME growth and capacity development. UNDP provided demand-driven vocational training to 249 women and men. Seventy-five percent of these people are employed in heating, ventilation and air conditioning and sewing. Currently, another 250 young women and men are being trained in mechanics, retail, hospitality and sewing. UNDP also launched a microequity programme to support entrepreneurs for the development of microbusiness and to give trainees the necessary funding to realize their business ambitions. A total of 300 aspiring individuals were trained in small-business planning and 80 microbusinesses were funded and established. Improving the delivery of municipal and social services. In order to upgrade the infrastructure of various municipalities, UNDP provided waste management equipment, waste compactors, fogging machines and sprayers as well as pesticides and insecticides. Furthermore, UNDP Jordan engaged nine municipalities in Irbid and Mafraq in planning and decision-making through a community outreach programme to enhance capacity-building and national ownership. The same programme is operating in another 27 municipalities with 81 trainees. Finally, the Manual for Community Outreach was developed and adopted for circulation in all municipalities in Jordan. Providing technical support for coordination of host community concerns. In May 2014, the decision was made to transition from the Host Community Support Platform (HCSP) to the Jordan Response Platform for the Syria Crisis (JRPSC), using the functionalities of the pre-existing HCSP as the backbone for the new structure. The JRPSC is a strategic partnership between the Government of Jordan, donors and UN agencies to develop a comprehensive refugee, resilience-strengthening and development response to the impact of the Syria crisis on Jordan. The resilience component comprises 100 percent of UNDP s activities in the 3RP. Foreseen funding requirements for UNDP s work in Jordan 2015 total US$ 102,558,000. The exact budget requirements for 2016 remain to be defined. 24

25 UNDP JORDAN IN THE 3RP MUNICIPAL SERVICES/ TRANSPORT * OUTPUT 2015 Improved service delivery in solid waste management 26,000,000 Local development planning aligned with new context 3,500,000 Organizational development, financial management and fiscal capacities of municipalities improved 1,500,000 US$31,000,000 * (Municipal Services only) OUTPUT PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS SHELTER, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY (ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY ONLY) Employment opportunities for the vulnerable households in host communities Active labour market programs and apprenticeship supporting permanent employment Improved labour market governance and compliance with national labour standards Establishment and growth of sustainable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Participatory local economic development and public-private partnership at municipality and governorate levels 10,700,000 4,600, ,000 4,300,000 3,900,000 US$24,000,000 OUTPUT 2015 Negative environmental impact of the JRP minimized 900,000 Strengthened community mechanisms to mitigate added competition for natural resources 2,500,000 Enhanced national and local capacities to manage increased hazardous waste 1,500,000 Strengthened monitoring and mitigation of air pollution 2,000,000 Ensure effective, rapid and sustainable energy solutions for offsetting incremental energy demand by installing solar water heaters and energy efficient lighting and using solar energy 33,908,000 US$40,808,000 OUTPUT 2015 SOCIAL PROTECTION AND JUSTICE * Access to justice and legal counselling enhanced 900,000 Institutional capacity of the Ministry of Justice and the courts strengthened 5,375,000 Institutional capacity of the Sharia Courts strengthened 75,000 US$6, * (Justice only) OUTPUT 2015 BASIC NEEDS Social protection and poverty alleviation mechanisms improved 200,000 Poor families enabled to fully benefit from the cash received through the provision of access to key financial services 200,000 US$400,000 For further information: Zena Ali-Ahmad UNDP Country Director - zena.ali-ahmad@undp.org 25

26 TURKEY CONTEXT At the end of 2014, the number of Syrian refugees in Turkey was approximately 1.6 million. Only 14 percent of refugees are hosted in the 22 refugee camps managed by the Turkish Government, with the remaining 86 percent of refugees approximately 1,376,000 people living in urban and rural areas, particularly in the south-eastern part of the country. In 2015 and 2016, the number of non-camp Syrian refugees is expected to continue to rise, which will further challenge social cohesion and stability. The influx of Syrian refugees and the overall impact of the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq are placing a considerable burden on Turkey s local systems and social structures and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities among host communities despite the government s generous assistance for refugees. In particular, as Syrians are granted access to basic public services, the pressure on water and electricity supplies, education, health care systems, sanitation and solid waste management has drastically increased. Municipalities are finding it difficult to meet the increased need for municipal services (e.g., waste management, sewage collection, fire-fighting, funeral services, electricity, etc.) that are critical for sustaining the quality of life. At the same time, widely reported crowding in local labour markets due to the inflow of cheap labour from Syria has vastly increased competition within local labour supplies, especially for the poorest and in the border areas. The conflict has created informal cross-border trade, resulting in distorted local market conditions and additional pressure on local tradesmen and craftsmen. Such stresses on the labour market, limited local resources and basic services heighten the tensions between the two communities, as evidenced by an increasing number of incidents and eroded social cohesion. Hence, the livelihoods of the Syrian non-camp refugees and of the hosting communities will need to be more strongly addressed through short-term interventions to provide basic needs and essential services targeting primarily the Syrian population and through medium- to long-term interventions that increase the resilience of the refugee and host communities. UNDP PARTNER OF CHOICE Building on its longstanding experience in area-based and local economic development, UNDP offers longer-term, development-related solutions to the refugee crisis that can be integrated into the local economy. This is evident in UNDP s adoption of a sector-based approach that that focuses, for example, on competitiveness and local economic activity, capacity development for local actors, and sustainable development and growth. Working alongside its development partners, UNDP has a local presence that enables it to respond quickly and concretely, while UNDP s knowledge of the local economy, dynamics, competitive advantages and partners clearly identify UNDP as the central actor in resilience-based development. 26

27 LEADING THE RESILIENCE BASED RESPONSE UNDP is working with Turkish authorities to strengthen the country s resilience-based approach to address the livelihoods and basic needs/essential service sectors. This will benefit national and local institutions and the affected refugee and host populations alike. UNDP s engagement in the livelihoods sector will involve jointly assessing local labour market demands and identifying possible interventions to improve business and job opportunities. With this information, UNDP will be able to provide appropriately tailored vocational training in targeted locations, especially where there has been a greater influx of refugees, and to develop marketable skills and alternative public work schemes TURKEY Million have been registered as of 31 of December 2014 The facility of Kilis Organic Olive Producers Union started the production of organic olive oil. Members of the Union bring their olives to the facility and 8 tonnes of organic olive oil is produced per day. UNDP in Turkey, photo: UNDP/ Nazife Ece 27

28 RESULTS UNDP Turkey implemented fast-track procedures to expedite its administrative procedures, particularly with respect to procurement. The implementation of these procedures has been successful and, as a result, all procurement processes, including quality control, now proceed much more quickly and with greater transparency. Within just nine months a record time UNDP delivered the following as agreed with its partners. UNDP cooperated with UNHCR, the Southeast Anatolia Regional Development Administration, the Kilis Organic Olive Producers Union (representing 300+ farmers), the Kilis Governorate and the Provincial Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Livestock to establish the Organic Olive Oil Processing, Packaging and Storage Facility in Kilis. This 600-square-metre facility is helping to relieve the impact of the Syrian crisis on the host community and fostering economic development through supporting local competitiveness. Approximately half of the employees are Syrian refugees and the facility can produce 1000 tonnes of organic olives per season. At the same time, UNDP continues to provide technical assistance to develop the Union s capacities for marketing and promotion, business management, stock management and quality management in order to increase the competitiveness of the organic olive oil sector in Kilis. With the financial support of UNHCR, the provision of emergency response and municipal service vehicles has improved the local service delivery capacities of local municipalities. Meanwhile, local municipalities and camp management have received technical assistance for the development of better solid waste management. This support will be used to design, set up and initiate integrated waste management systems in refugee camps and relevant municipalities in order to reduce, re-use and dispose of the waste generated. This will reduce the burden on host communities and provide camps with an opportunity for income generation. 28

29 UNDP TURKEY IN THE 3RP UNDP will be a partner in activities in the livelihoods and basic needs and essential services sectors. Foreseen funding requirements for UNDP s work in these sectors in 2015 total US$58,750,000. The exact budget requirements for 2016 remain to be defined. OUTPUT PROGRAMME AND BUDGET LIVELIHOODS BASIC NEEDS/ ESSENTIAL SERVICES Vocational skills of male and female refugees to better respond to the needs of labour market demand 4,000,000 Establishment of socio-economic facilities to boost employment 20,000,000 Employment support interventions including workforce assessments and analysis, development of basic and marketable skills Joint assessments at the rural and urban settings to identify the gap between labour demand and supply 9,000, ,000 US$33,250,000 OUTPUT 2015 Socio-economic analysis of basic needs in main urban areas hosting refugees 500,000 Community sanitary facilities and waste management 25,000,000 US$25,500,000 For further information: Matilda Dimovska UNDP Deputy Resident Representative - matilda.dimovska@undp.org The facility of Kilis Organic Olive Producers Union started the production of organic olive oil. Members of the Union bring their olives to the facility and 8 tonnes of organic olive oil is produced per day. UNDP in Turkey, photo: UNDP/ Nazife Ece 29

30 EGYPT CONTEXT As of the end of October 2014, Egypt was host to some 140,000 registered Syrian refugees. While the influx of refugees has been small compared to the numbers of refugees in other countries, refugees in Egypt are concentrated mostly in a few communities in densely populated urban areas, precisely where local infrastructure, job markets and public services were already strained. Indeed, the greatly increased demand for basic services has already burdened local and national systems, threatening development gains. Although the Egyptian government has extended health and education services to Syrian refugees free of charge, just as Egyptian citizens enjoy, it has not yet developed a national response plan for the refugee issue. Egypt needs particular support for the livelihoods sector, as some 26.3 percent of Egypt s population lives below the national poverty line and the unemployment rate stands at 13.4 percent. With the prolongation of the Syrian conflict, about 50 percent of refugee households, which predominately rely on past savings, assets and loans, will gradually face serious shortages of income and Syrian refugees and Egyptian local host communities could run the risk of sliding into poverty in the coming years. Particularly concerning is the fact that many out-of-school youth risk ending up in low-paying, unstable and potentially dangerous jobs with little hope of escaping poverty if they can find employment at all. In fact, youth unemployment can reach up to 77 percent. The lack of education, skills, networks and empowerment is also a major challenge preventing refugee and Egyptian youth, especially women and girls, from reaching safe and stable employment and being protected from violence, abuse and exploitation. UNDP PARTNER OF CHOICE With its expertise and experience in fighting poverty and building democratic societies, UNDP is well positioned to support Egypt s economic and political transition and, with a strong presence already on the ground, is an ideal leading partner to maximize cost benefits and to streamline project implementation. UNDP s work with the Egyptian and Japanese Governments as well as with many local small and medium-sized private businesses clearly demonstrates this. UNDP directly provided youth and other marginalized groups with job opportunities from 2012 to 2014 in some of Egypt s most impoverished villages while employing small and mediumsized local contractors. These public works projects demonstrate the tangible impact that UNDP leadership has had on Egyptian society and point to UNDP s commitment to fostering resilience as a longer-term development goal. 30

31 LEADING THE RESILIENCE BASED RESPONSE UNDP has been at the forefront of the adoption of the resilience-based development approach within the 3RP, a role that the Government and partners have widely acknowledged. As a leading partner in activities in the basic needs and livelihoods sectors, UNDP s activities in the 3RP will offer a closely integrate response to the requirements in the livelihoods and basic needs sectors in order to meet the more immediate and longer-term needs of refugees in the most-impacted governorates (e.g., Giza, Greater Cairo, Alexandria and Qalyubia). Specifically, UNDP will support public works by expanding its ongoing cash-for-work scheme, which will serve as an emergency social protection scheme for families in need of cash and jobs while also repairing and building up local facilities such as schools, health care clinics, sanitation systems and community centres. Additionally, UNDP-planned interventions will provide job opportunities for women in social services and, while benefiting primarily the host communities, the most vulnerable refugees will also be targeted, thus reinforcing social cohesion. Working together with international and local partners with a view toward long-term resilience, UNDP will provide entrepreneurship and vocational training and other business services in impacted communities. This will be done by helping Egyptian authorities to focus on job creation skills and vocational training in impacted communities in order to catalyse the private sector and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to support pro-poor, inclusive and gendersensitive development for a vibrant private sector. In order to boost employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship in affected areas, UNDP will also provide local Egyptian Government authorities with technical support to enhance programmes targeting members of the host community in impacted areas. These activities are expected to reach 259,550 affected persons in the refugee and host communities. EGYPT 41% decrease in total revenue from tourism [$10 billion to $5.9 billion] from 2012 to 2013 Saeeda Hassan Mohamed, a trainee participating in a wood turning workshop in Qena, Egypt. UNDP in Egypt, photo: UNDP/Heewoong Kim 31

32 RESULTS The governorate of Sohag saw work on canal coverage projects, covering 3.94 kilometres, involving a canal adjacent to residential areas. The project not only created 30,827 workdays, but the new cover over the canals now also prevents people from throwing garbage into the canal, a common practice that damaged water quality and the health of people living nearby. In collaboration with water and wastewater companies in the governorates of Sohag and Fayoum, the project installed four- and six-inch pipes to extend potable water networks by 92 kilometres, creating 31,000 workdays. The extension not only generated short-term jobs, but also increased the number of households that have access to drinking water. Providing access to potable water at home is a highly gender-sensitive contribution, as many village inhabitants still get their daily potable water from public taps. This requires people usually young and female family members to make long and tiresome daily trips to the taps, depriving them of much valuable time that they could otherwise devote to productive activities. In collaboration with the Road Directorates in the governorates of Sohag and Fayoum, the project paved kilometres of rural roads and created 63,958 workdays. New construction sub-projects primarily involved village entrances and short connectors. Newly paved roads have reduced travel time, promoted access to new markets, increased job opportunities and services and to created business opportunities, thereby improving living conditions for villagers. In addition, the paved roads grant better and safer access to services such as schools, clinics and marketplaces. The Egyptian Government has highly valued the employment opportunities and services provided by the public works projects and the Social Fund for Development is currently scaling up this programme with new funds from other international donor partners, based on the model developed through the UNDP-Japan partnership. Through such public works projects, UNDP plans to create an additional 200,000 workdays in

33 UNDP EGYPT IN THE 3RP UNDP will be a leading partner in activities in the basic needs and livelihoods sectors. Foreseen funding requirements for UNDP s work in these sectors in 2015 total $16,000,000. The exact budget requirements for 2016 remain to be defined PROGRAMME AND BUDGET LIVELIHOODS BASIC NEEDS OUTPUT 2015 Entrepreneurship training/education, business development services and sector-specific support to create decent jobs for vulnerable groups Access to decent wage employment opportunities through public works with focus on youth and women OUTPUT 2015 Strengthened local government capacities for social protection schemes and cohesion in impacted communities 6,000,000 9,500,000 US$15,500, ,000 US$500,000 For further information: Ignacio Artaza UNDP Country Director - ignacio.artaza-zuriarrain@undp.org photo: UNDP/Hussein Tallal 33

34 IRAQ CONTEXT The conflict in Syria continues to push Syrians into neighbouring countries and over 225,000 persons were registered with UNHCR in Iraq at the end of The vast majority 98 percent of Syrian refugees reside in the Kurdistan Region; the density of refugees compared to the local population is relatively high and reaches 20 percent in Dohuk and 10 percent in Erbil. It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of the refugees in the Kurdistan region are accommodated in non-camp settings. In addition, the high level of violence throughout 2014 in Iraq has caused a massive wave of population displacement - estimated at 1.9 million people - that has added a new dimension of insecurity to the ongoing complex emergency. This has increased the grave burden on protection, shelter and livelihoods sectors. Local governments and communities are encountering unprecedented challenges in providing services equitably and effectively meet an overwhelming and sudden demand. Competition in labour markets causes hostility and tension between refugees and host communities in Kurdistan. Increased incidents of sexual and gender-based violence have become a protection priority. UNDP PARTNER OF CHOICE UNDP Iraq will lead the implementation of the recovery and resilience agendas. The Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme (ICRRP) will be a critical contribution to this and serve as a basis for the 3RP. The ICRRP fills critical thematic gaps, especially in terms of community consultation, supporting the local authorities to take leadership to ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach, it also focuses on areas that are not or so far not sufficiently covered by other humanitarian clusters or agencies. Where possible, activities are implemented in close collaboration with local counterparts in order to foster local ownership and to contribute to the longer-term resilience of communities. UNDP thereby strongly complements the primarily live-saving and shorter-term activities of other partners through this multi-sectoral, integrated project strategy that has sustainability at its core. With its proven track record and strong, well-functioning network of cooperation with local and national government and NGOs, UNDP Iraq is thus the ideal partner for efforts to build resilience. 34 IRAQ 60% of Syrian refugees have settled in urban areas

35 LEADING THE RESILIENCE BASED RESPONSE In response, UNDP partnered with national and local authorities and other actors to shift the focus of immediate refugee response toward resiliencebuilding. Thus, the 3RP incorporates resilience interventions that will contribute to the stronger self-reliance of refugees and host communities and the expended ability of government to provide basic services to meet the demands of the increased population. UNDP s activities focus on the livelihoods and protection sectors. Though building close links with cross cutting and inclusive community representatives UNDP s efforts in the livelihoods sector will be closely allied with the broader goal of strengthening social cohesion. Not only will UNDP create income-earning opportunities for the host communities, vulnerable displaced people and refugees, but it will bolster the capacities of training institutes to provide job skills, provide vocational training for marketable skills and expand job portals so that individuals can successfully enter the job market. UNDP will promote social cohesion by targeting within mixed populations on needs (such as poverty level, female headed households, families with a chronically ill or disabled member) rather than a status basis (IDP, refugee or member of the host community) and thus interact with the community as an integrated whole and this further bind it together rather than support fragmentation. Providing shared facilities and services and sponsoring community-based activities will foster community spirit. UNDP will improve living conditions and community infrastructure for vulnerable Syrian refugees and host community members in non-camp settings by engaging local authorities to develop, provide, manage and maintain public services for all components of the population and by drawing on local markets to carry out shelter activities. In the protection sector, UNDP will, by joining with local actors, focus on reducing the risk of SGBV by providing legal support and improving the quality of the response to the needs of victims, through its centres and a robust referral system for those victims who need immediate medical, psycho-social and legal support. A UNDP organized theatre performance in Kawrgosk refugee camp in Iraq raises awareness about violence against women. UNDP in Iraq. photo: UNDP/Sarah Chardonnens 35