June 2019 – Humanitarian needs stemming from the crises in Syria and Iraq remain significant throughout the Middle East. Continued violence in Syria raises little prospects for the voluntary, safe, sustainable and dignified return of over 5.6 million refugees in the region. Internally displaced persons range in the millions in Syria and Iraq, and refugees facing protracted displacement in host countries continue to face acute humanitarian needs in Jordan and Lebanon. With GAC’s support, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is contributing to meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of vulnerable women and girls in sexual and reproductive health, and preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence. The project operates in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Project activities include: (1) providing emergency obstetric care, and sexual and reproductive health services; (2) ensuring protection from and response to gender-based violence; and (3) providing health services, supplies, commodities and medication, dignity kits, and reproductive health kits to crisis-affected people.
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved sexual and reproductive health of vulnerable populations; and (2) increased protection from gender-based violence. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved, suffering alleviated, and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or that are food insecure.