Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

Improving the health of female refugees in Jordan through the provision of referrals and psychological support will protect and enable reugees to live in a safe and dignified environment.

Expected results

With an additional contribution of EUR 150,000 (equivalent to $177,725 with the UN exchange rate of 1 USD / 0.844 EUR as of December 2017), UNHCR could

- provide referrals for deliveries and cover the costs for an estimated 80 caesarean sections and

- provide psychosocial support to approximately 851 Syrian women.

Target group / Beneficiaries

The target group are female refugees in Jordan; with this grant it is estimated that 931 women can benefit from safe deliveries as well as from prevention of and response to sexual violence in locations such as Zataari refugee camp.

UNHCR implements the activities relevant for this grant directly as well as through partners such as the Jordan Health Aid Society (JHAS) and the Jordanian Ministry of Social Development.

UNHCR supports Syrian refugees all over Jordan, mainly in urban areas where most refugees live such as Amman, Mafraq, Irbid, Zarqa but also in the few refugee camps such as Zataari or Azraq.

Activities

With the funding provided through the Government of Austria, UNHCR will be able to cover the costs for an estimated 80 caesarean sections. Furthermore, as SGBV (sexual and gender-based violence) remains one of the most prevalent and persistent issues facing women globally, this additional contribution could help UNHCR through its partners to prevent and respond to sexual violence and maintain the provision of psychosocial support to approximately 851 Syrian women.

Context

Jordan is home to some 655,000 registered Syrian refugees, including some 500,000 in urban areas. 93% of Syrian refugees living outside of camps in Jordan are living below the poverty line. Vulnerabilities are increasing as personal savings are depleted and assistance, such as in the areas of health and food, is reduced as a result of budgetary constraints.

UNHCR’s partner, Jordan Health Aid Society (JHAS), runs one health clinic; that clinic provides health services 24 hours, seven days a week. The clinic is equipped with general practioners, nurses, referral officers, and internists, which provide consultations and treatment to patients. JHAS treats both acute and chronic conditions at both sites and provides reproductive health services, including ante-natal and post-natal care. JHAS also organizes medical referrals for those who cannot be treated within the camp. Notably, this includes deliveries for women who deliver either through normal vaginal deliveries or through caesarean sections.

In addition, UNHCR helps individuals and communities to heal the psychological wounds and rebuild social structures after an emergency or a critical event. Psychological counselling can help change women into active survivors rather than passive victims.All SGBV survivors will receive counselling and referral to appropriate services, including safe shelter supported by UNHCR through the Ministry of Social Development, where medical, psychological and legal services are available. Case management and psychosocial support will continue to be provided to women in the camps and urban areas.