LEB, TdH, Protection of the Most Vulnerable Children Affected by the Syria crisis in South Lebanon

Since the outbreak of the Syria crisis in 2011, almost 1.2 million Syrian refugees have crossed into Lebanon seeking safety and shelter. With a quarter of its population now consisting of refugees (including over 300'000 Palestine refugees, most of whom have been in the country since decades), Lebanon is struggling to maintain an already precarious stability, having suffered from weak infrastructure and public services such as health and education. Tensions between refugees and host communities have risen due to increased competition for housing, jobs and services. Especially children are vulnerable in such a situation as they also struggle with challenges such as family separation, exposure to physical and/or psychological violence, child labour and exploitation, early marriage, and recruitment by armed groups. The lack of access to education (of which some 70% of refugee children are affected) is in addition to other vulnerabilities, such as dropping out, bullying and discrimination, inability to afford fees, transportation and distance, and curriculum and language.

To protect vulnerable girls and boys from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect through equitable access to quality Child Protection (CP) & Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) services.

31,600 children (including 10,400 adolescents), 20'010 caregivers and 210 service providers

Total beneficiaries: 51,820 (50% in Tyre and 50% in Saida)

Target groups include Syrian refugees; Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS); Palestine Refugees from Lebanon (PRL); Lebanese vulnerable children and their families, including from the Dom community; other refugees hosting Syrians (e.g. Iraqis), Social Development Centres of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Civil Society Organisations

1. Psychosocial support (PSS): PSS including referral services are available for the most vulnerable children from refugee and host communities.
2. Protection awareness: Community is sensitized around CP and SGBV to mitigate risks faced by children within their communities.
3. Capacity Building: Local civil society organisations (CSOs) and service providers have the capacity to respond locally to increasing CP needs.

Expected results:  

Outputs 1:

• 1.1. PSS activities for vulnerable boys and girls are organized through local CSOs and Social Development Centres in the areas of intervention;
• 1.2. PSS outreach services are organized for children unable to attend activities in centers;
• 1.3. Children at risk are case managed.

Outputs 2:

• 2.1. Local community groups are established to promote CP/SGBV services and information;
• 2.2. Youth are mobilized to conduct CP/SGBV peer education within their community;
• 2.3. Faith-based actors support community based awareness activities through Friday speeches.

Outputs 3:

• 3.1. Staff and volunteers from supported centres are trained and coached on PSS, CP and SGBV;
• 3.2. Capacity of external CSOs is built on CP;
• 3.3. Established community groups are trained to conduct community based awareness on CP and SGBV

Ministry of Social Affairs (specifically Social Development Centres), Civil Society Organisations

The project is consistent with the needs and response highlighted in the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2015- 2016, the Regional Refugee & Resilience Plan 2015 - 2016 (3RP), and is in synergy with the Swiss Cooperation Strategy Middle East 2015-2018.

Phase 1 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2017   (Completed)