[Iraq] Peace Winds Continues its Support for Syrian Refugees in Improving Shelters and Public Facilities Access
Since 2018, Peace Winds has been implementing projects to upgrade shelters in six Syrian refugee camps in Erbil and Duhok governorates with a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), providing Syrian refugees more durable futures and increased safety and dignity.
In 2020, we began supporting shelter upgrades in four Syrian refugee camps in Erbil Governorate, with a particular focus on people with mobility challenges, especially those with disabilities and the elderly. To alleviate difficulties in daily living, universal design has been taken into consideration, such as changing Arab (Japanese)-style toilets to Western-style toilets, installing handrails and sitting areas in bathrooms, and installing slopes at entrances where there are steps. We also improved the infrastructure of public facilities in the Syrian refugee camps by installing ramps and gutter boards to make them more accessible to persons with disabilities and the elderly.
On September 30, 2022, in addition to the existing Syrian refugee camps in Erbil governorate, we started supporting the improvement of shelters for the disabled and elderly in the Syrian refugee camps in Duhok governorate, and in 2023, we improved shelters for 613 households, as well as improved access to 43 public facilities such as administrative offices, health centers, schools, and recreational facilities for children in the camps (see related article here). In 2024, the project is scheduled to support the improvement of shelters for another 600 households and the improvement of access to 28 public facilities.
Peace Winds staff (photo left) conducting the assessment
Peace Winds staff (photo left and right) conducts a technical assessment at a public facility in the camp to be supported
The shelter and infrastructure upgrades utilize the cash-for-work model successfully implemented by Peace Winds in other projects to provide income opportunities, develop skills, and increase self-reliance. Rather than upgrading the shelters and infrastructures through local contractors, Peace Winds utilizes a cash-for-work approach that involves the targeted households in the process, providing them with opportunities to earn income, enhance skills, and take more ownership of their shelter and infrastructure upgrades. Households that cannot or choose not to perform the upgrade work themselves can choose other skilled or unskilled workers from the community or through the job centers in each camp.
Beneficiary engaged in a cash-for-work activity
The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 with no end in sight. Nearly 270,000 Syrian refugees are still displaced in the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq, fleeing the Syrian Civil War. Peace Winds will continue to help improve the lives of Syrian refugees and restore the safe haven and dignity that everyone should enjoy.
This project was funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) of U.S. Department of State and generous donations from our supporters. Thank you for your continuing support.