In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), existing sewage networks and pavements are disrupted by weather or local incidences like strikes or security operations.

Qudra 2 supports local governments in their efforts to act on the needs of their communities by improving basic service delivery wherever needed. In cooperation with our local NGO partner, Kurdistan Reconstruction and Development Society (KURDS), more than 125,000 people benefit from the rehabilitation of electrical networks, sewage network lines maintenance and renovation of pavements. The projects are selected through a transparent application and evaluation process under the oversight of the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC).

In Jordan, structural barriers in education, such as overcrowding, language barriers, vandalism, and lack of secure and affordable school transport, make it challenging for children and youth to access education. Qudra 2 supports children and youth to develop their potential for a secure, stable, and prosperous future. We work in close cooperation with the Ministries of Education and Transport. Together, we are developing an improved school transport system and a sustainable facility management model to help children get to school safely and improve the learning environment for everyone. Access to extracurricular activities such as arts, spots and culture help children and young people find their voice and develop social skills.  

In Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey, Qudra 2 supports the well-being of especially vulnerable traumatised groups through psychosocial support (PSS). Qudra 2 and its partners provide a range of interventions to address the effects of trauma and insecurity caused by the Syrian and Iraqi crises on individuals and communities. 

In Iraq, we work with local NGO partners to offer vulnerable women and children psychosocial support through activities such as gardening, art and sewing, which provide space for creativity and community. 

These low-threshold interventions are complemented by specialised counselling and referrals to other services. COVID-19 awareness has been a vital element of the intervention. More than 15,000 individuals benefitted from mental health and psychosocial support services. 

In Lebanon,  Qudra 2 supports the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) in providing case management and psychosocial services to vulnerable Lebanese people and refugees. Social Development Centres are open to the community and provide advice, counselling as well as referrals for more specilaised services. Recreational activities are available for children, while parents can take part in positive parenting courses or cooking classes. 

Qudra 2 also supports MoSA’s institutional development at the national, district and local levels. To date, 178 people were trained in protection and gender based violence topics, and 46 of them are furher trained and coached in programme management and monitoring. In addition, MoSA is supported to further operationalise case management for children in need of protection, in line with the STrategic Plan for the Protection of Women and Children (2020-2027).

In Turkey, partner municipalities have developed Community Support Projects (CSPs) that provide psychosocial support for individuals to overcome trauma through access to counselling and support hotlines and recreational activities. Through community projects, municipalities provide services to more people raising awareness of mental health issues and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.