Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

To increase civilian population’s security and sustainable returns by protecting lives and civilian infrastructure and productive assets, and supporting livelihoods and income-generation. The project shall contribute towards a lesser dependency of the population in Al Hasakah Governorate on humanitarian aid and to supporting their long-term resilience.

Expected results

The project aims at the following results:

Output 1: Non-technical survey and battle area clearance are conducted on suspected or confirmed explosive hazards contaminated former agricultural land or infrastructure in ISIS liberated areas and cleared land is returned to local population for their safe and productive use. Estimated at approximately 6 million m2 of cleared land in areas assessed as priority in a participatory process with local authorities and communities.

Output 2: Individuals living in at risk communities take part in tailored, context-specific Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) sessions and training, and have increased knowledge and skills to be able to better protect themselves, their friends and families from explosive hazards. Estimated at approximately 9,750 boys, girls, men, women and vulnerable groups, and 30 Community Focal Points.

Output 3: Targeted and needs-based farming and livestock agricultural recovery support program is delivered through the value chains approach to population living in or rightfully using arable land, including areas recently cleared from explosive hazards by Team ITF. Estimated at approximately 340 farmers, livestock owners, small (agri)business owners and most vulnerable households, living below poverty line.

Target group / Beneficiaries

The total number of direct beneficiaries is expected to be 19,120 people, composed as follows:

a) Local Communities in Al Hasakah affected by explosive hazards – 9,000 people

b) Respected individuals serving as community focal points – 30 people

c) At-risk population throughout Al Hasakah, regardless of their social status and personal circumstances who receive Explo-sive Ordnance Risk Education – 9,750 men, women, boys and girls

d) Livestock owners, barley farmers and households growing vegetables living in areas recently cleared of explosive hazards – 225 people

e) Most vulnerable households, living below poverty line that are unable to afford basic necessities – 100 people

f) Prospective owners of small agribusiness, supporting the marketing of locally grown produce – 15 people

Target region is Al Hasakah area (estimated at 1.5 million residents, with a constant in/outflow of refugees and IDPs).

ITF works with two implementing partners: Saratoga Advisors Group LLC (SAG) and Khair Organization (Khair)

Activities

The ITF team will consist of three (3) battle area clearance teams, one (1) NTS team, two (2) EORE teams and a 7-member local expert agricultural support team with management and operational staff supporting implementation of below activities.

The project will deliver the following activities:

1. Assessment, non-technical survey and battle area clearance in assessed priority areas affected by explosive hazards, with outreach to the affected communities.

2. Delivery of tailored and context-specific EORE sessions in at-risk communities and training of Community Focal Points.

3. Provision of farming and livestock sector support through the value chains approach to vegetable and barley farmers, livestock owners and small agribusinesses living off formerly contaminated land.

Context

The widespread use of various types of weaponry in the ongoing conflict in Syria has left behind a range of explosive hazards including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines, and explosive remnants of war (ERW). These explosive hazards prevent safe and sus-tainable returns, cause civilian deaths and injuries, exacerbate vulnerabilities, hinder safe access to vital assets, humanitarian support, basic services and livelihoods, and ultimately compound the humanitarian crisis.