The situation of the 116’000 displaced people (90% of them Muslims) in congested IDP camps after inter-communal violence in 2012 has not yet changed. This coupled with the wider effects of the conflict on isolated communities has generated a precarious humanitarian situation. This situation places women and girls at particular risk of increased violence. Furthermore, the displaced are in need of proper living-spaces, basic services, livelihood opportunities, education, and adequate water and sanitation installations.

To contribute meeting acute safety needs through quality GBV response and prevention activities among IDPs and conflict-affected communities in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

• More than 93’000 displaced or conflict affected men, women, girls and boys (over 76’000 Muslim and 17’000 Rakhine people living in 18 IDP camps or camp-like communities in Sittwe and Pauktaw townships.
• Local NGOs, CBOs, INGOs, UN, IRC staff and partners who receive GBV training.
• GBV, Protection and Health sector groups at state and national level.

1. Women and girls have access to case management and group psychosocial activities through Women and Girls’ Wellness Centers, IRC mobile health clinics or DRC Women’s Centers.
2. Communities are aware of, understand the importance of, and work to create safe living environments for women and girls
3. Actors in Rakhine State have access to the skills, capacity and coordination mechanisms to respond to GBV

Expected results:  

• Response services are provided through case-management and psychosocial support to survivors and women-friendly spaces are established.
• Survivors benefit from focus-group discussions and information sessions; they receive training in life skills, and benefit from education and recreational activities.
• Community members (incl. men, women, boys, girls, religious and political authorities, etc.) are sensitised, adaptations to spaces are made (e.g. lighting) and living environment is more secure (prevention).
• Enhanced coordination through technical support to GBV cluster and improved capacities through trainings and advocacy for key actors.

Results from previous phases:  

Phase 1 will be completed on 31 May 2016.

Between June and December 2015:

• 2 new Women and Girls’ Wellness Centers (WGWC) in IDP camps in Sittwe opened and services in 5 already established WGWCs continued with close to 1’700 women/girls attending skills building or education activities.
• 3 IRC health clinics in Sittwe established
• Team of 10 trained GBV caseworkers which managed 47 new cases of GBV survivors and facilitated 120 referrals to external services.

The project faced some delays in launching the activities due to difficulties in recruiting motivated and qualified staff.

DFID

• GBV-Working Group: co-chair with UNFPA.
• Camp Management Committees (CMC).
• DRC through Women’s centres in Pauktaw.
• Increased collaboration with local CBOs.
• Capacity building of other actors incl. Ministry of Health, INGOs, NGOs and CBOs in GBV prevention and response.
• Yangon level mechanisms: GBV Subsector, Protection Working Group (WG) and Gender Equality Network.

Phase 2 01.06.2016 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)