Dorcas in the Middle East

DORCAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT

iraq.dorcas.org lebanon.dorcas.org

THIS IS DORCAS

2 WHO WE ARE

For more than 35 years, Dorcas has been devoted to combating poverty. We strive for a future in which the most vulnerable in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europa are empowered to live sustainably and with dignity.

Dorcas collaborates with local partner organisations and people impacted by poverty and disasters. Over time people discover and develop their potential and are empowered – this is our long-term approach.

‘We want to see flourishing people and communities.’

HOW WE WORK

In the Dorcas “Theory of Change” we describe how we see flourishing people and communities becoming a reality. We empower individuals to restore their dignity, hope and the ability to create resilient livelihoods. We envision communities where there are safe and peaceful environments, inclusive access to basic services and strong, dynamic community structures. We strive for a society in which government and other institutions cooperate with community structures to support joint development.

In order to make a long-term change, our programmes include activities on three levels: individual, community and society.

WHAT WE DO IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The conflict in Syria has been ongoing for many years now. More than 6.3 million Syrians are internally displaced while more than 4.9 million people have fled to neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Iraq. Lebanon is currently hosting more than 1.5 million Syrian refugees. More than 3.1 million people are internally displaced in Iraq due to continued conflict. Within the region Dorcas works in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.

Dorcas has been serving in the Middle East since 2012 with relief, early recovery and resilient livelihood interventions. Dorcas specializes in rapid response, integrated health care and community-based protection. Throughout our work we put a special emphasis on multisector programming through cash based interventions. We believe that giving cash support is a dignified and appropriate method to effectively address the needs of the population and to simultaneously strengthen the local economy. We integrate protection with our cash assistance to ensure that support is accessible for all people.

DORCAS IN IRAQ

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WHAT WE DO IN IRAQ

Currently tens of thousands of people are displaced inside Iraq. This population is facing severe challenges living in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. Dorcas Iraq has been responding to these needs since 2014 and focuses on internally displaced populations in (predominantly) out-ofcamp settings. We implement holistic programmes addressing life-saving needs in the sectors Health, Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), Shelter/ NFI and WASH and integrate protection in our programmes. Our vision for Iraq is that people will flourish and conflict-affected populations will be able to (re)settle in a dignified way.

DORCAS’ APPROACH

Cash Based Interventions Dorcas provides life-saving support through cash assistance wherever possible. During the past two years Dorcas Iraq has distributed over $1 million in direct cash transfers. Multipurpose cash or sector specific cash has supported more than 20.000 individuals in 2016 to pay rent, pay for specialized medical services or procure essential items including winter items.

Cash distribution

Integrated primary health care Dorcas Iraq implements integrated health care programmes where mobile medical teams, combined with hygiene support significantly improve the health of served populations. Since June 2015 we have provided medical care for over 45.000 individuals, the majority of whom also receive hygiene support or specialized services such as reproductive health and vision screening. Dorcas Mobile Medical Teams are part of the first-line Mosul response.

Dorcas Mobile Medical Team

DORCAS IN LEBANON

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WHAT WE DO IN LEBANON

Since the rise of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria, around 1.5 million people have fled to Lebanon.

Dorcas Lebanon started in 2013 and is locally registered as Tabitha (the Arabic translation of Dorcas). We serve both the vulnerable Lebanese population as well as refugees through communitybased programmes.

DORCAS’ APPROACH

Community-based protection and service delivery Community Centers are our central hubs from where we implement our programmes. The main Centre in Aley (southeast of Beirut) provides protection services, life skills training, educational and recreational activities for both the Lebanese community and the refugees residing in the area.

The Community Centers function as platforms for social cohesion between several groups. Protection services consist among others of psychosocial support, case management, social/legal counseling and referral.

We integrate cash assistance in the services provided. Over the past several years Dorcas Lebanon has supported families with cash to purchase essential food items, winter supplies and to support rent payments.

Children at a Dorcas Community Center

Dorcas Lebanon has a specific focus on vulnerable children and their parents. We implement child protection and feeding programmes for children at risk in public schools or partly from Community Centers. Moreover, children receive educational homework support at the Center in Aley. Parents are engaged in coaching and parenting sessions.

English class for women at a Dorcas Community Center

DORCAS IN SYRIA

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WHAT WE DO IN SYRIA

Dorcas has been active in Syria since 2012 working with displaced populations and host communities.

We focus on Food Security, Health and Protection in different governorates, primarily in and around Aleppo and Homs.

DORCAS’ APPROACH

Integrated health and protection programmes Dorcas has provided health support via mobile hospitals (so-called Hospitainers) and support to permanent primary health care facilities in Homs and Aleppo provinces since 2013. The mobile health facilities provide secondary medical care – basic surgical procedures and caesarian sections. Dorcas also supports a rehabilitation center providing physical therapy and mobility aids to war injured people.

Doctors at work in a Hospitainer

Dorcas has partnered with a local non-governmental organization to create an online reporting system for victims of sexual and gender-based violence. This app provides refugees and internally displaced people safety to report violations and to receive personalized assistance. We also train health staff to identify, refer and counsel individuals - primarily women and children – to receive protection services when they face protection issues. Dorcas provides protection services directly in Community Centers in Aleppo and Homs.

Food security One of the greatest problems in Syria has been food insecurity. Dorcas regularly provides food parcels and food vouchers. In 2016 more than 61,000 individuals were served in this way. In addition, Dorcas Syria provides meals in local schools for children, so they feel motivated to go to school and have access to healthy food. This benefits their development and well-being.

Feeding programme for children

SELECTION OF DORCAS’ PROJECTS

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MOSUL CRISIS RESPONSE

The Mosul crisis, which started in October last year, has displaced thousands of people and left many more vulnerable. IDP’s continue to flee the city every day. Dorcas provides primary health care, food and NFI support to people residing in newly retaken villages around Mosul as a firstline emergency response.

MOBILE HOSPITALS IN SYRIA

Dorcas supports both mobile as permanent health facilities in Syria providing a unique complementary solution to host communities as well as displaced people/people on the move.

Four mobile hospitals serve many internally displaced people from Homs, Aleppo, Idlib and other areas. The hospitals provide secondary, maternal and reproductive health care. Permanent facilities provide mainly primary health care.

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FEEDING PROGRAMME AT SCHOOL IN LEBANON

In 2016 Dorcas launched feeding programmes for vulnerable children at several local schools.

More than 900 children and students now receive a healthy meal every day. This helps them to stay strong and healthy. In addition, Syrian, Iraqi and Lebanese women are trained to prepare the meals.

REGIONAL PORTFOLIO:

In 2016 Dorcas served more than 180,000 individuals in the Middle East. Our 2016 expense was 3.9 million USD.

DORCAS IS SUPPORTED BY: • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

• Mary’s Meals Foundation • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of • • • • • • •

The Netherlands (also through the Dutch Relief Alliance) Private funds UNFPA UNICEF UNOCHA Welthungerhilfe World Food Programme World Vision

DORCAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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DORCAS IRAQ

2017 - Pictures by Dorcas and Preemptive Love Coalition

Mamstreet 59 Botan Residential Area Dohuk, KR-I Iraq T +964 751 2261779 +964 751 2466451 E office@iraq.dorcas.org W iraq.dorcas.org facebook.com/dorcasiraq

DORCAS LEBANON/SYRIA

DORCAS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

E office@lebanon.dorcas.org W lebanon.dorcas.org facebook.com/dorcaslebanon

E info@dorcas.org W dorcas.org facebook.com/dorcashulp

2nd floor Intersection Almaza and Hankash street Beirut, Lebanon T +961 1 873 458

P.O.Box 12 1619 ZG Andijk The Netherlands T +31 (0)228 595900