Child protection training for our UNHCR project begins
As part of our major new partnership with the UNHCR, we have begun working to improve protection systems for vulnerable children, with our team taking part in capacity-building training alongside government employees and other local organisations.
Designed to upskill our staff and other regional teams, a recent three-day training programme in Dohuk governorate focused on Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS+) and enhanced case management. In recognition of their learning, participants from the Lotus Flower and the other organisations received certificates at the end of the training.
Such collaboration is a vitally important part of this project. By bringing key partners together, we aim to ensure that children are better protected from violence, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination, and that they have greater access to child-friendly procedures, case management and services. Other project activities include psychosocial counselling for children, community-based recreational activities and programmes for parents and caregivers.
As part of the initial project implementation, we’ve also been re-launching child-friendly spaces within Bardarash and Gawilan camps, where many children will benefit from the programme.
Due to the protracted nature of the Syrian refugee crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, the vulnerabilities and risks for children have dramatically increased in recent times.
Many have been suffering from psychological distress, as well as child abuse, sexual violence, neglect and enforced labour. Thousands of children have also been forced to drop out of school, while economic difficulties have weakened family and community support, further exposing young girls to harm. School closures caused by the pandemic worsened previously existing inequalities, disproportionately impacting children who were already most at risk of exclusion from quality education.
With such a difficult set of circumstances to contend with and so many children and young people needing help, this is one project we’re really pleased to have begun…
