Improving safety, protection and access to essential services for conflict affected IDPs in Kercha Woreda, West Guji Zone, Oromia regional State In April 2018, inter-communal violence along the borders of Gedeo (SNNPR) and West Guji (Oromia region) zones led to large-scale displacements, damage to property, including public infrastructure, and the loss of life. According to the latest data, more than 800,000 people are estimated to have been displaced as a result of the violence. Displaced individuals have tended to seek protection with relatives and in collective centers. To date, humanitarian assistance, including protection assistance, has been limited. Most assistance has been provided by local authorities and hosting communities, both of which have limited resources and capacity to meet the increasing needs of the displaced. In response to this situation, DRC proposes an intervention to both enhance the protective environment of the most in-need collective centers settlements in Kercha woreda, West Guji zone, while simultaneously assisting the most vulnerable to meet their most basic needs. 

DRC will address the acute protection needs experienced by the most vulnerable and at risk conflict displaced populations by working towards the overall project objective “Ensuring enhanced safety, protection and access to essential services for the conflict affected IDPs in West Guji, Oromia Region”, with the following desired outcomes:

Outcome 1: The most vulnerable and at-risk internally displaced people (IDPs), including women, children, persons with special needs and the elderly, have enhanced access to protection services and psychosocial support. DRC will monitor the humanitarian needs and protection concerns throughout the duration of the project sharing the protection analysis conducted with the Protection cluster and as appropriate with other service providers in order to inform about the needs and threats in the selected sites. In response to the emergency needs identified DRC will provide material support to address basic needs for the most vulnerable or at risk individuals and by establishing safe spaces where the communities can meet and receive information and psychosocial support. To mitigate or prevent exposure to protection risks DRC will provide Individual protection assistance on a case-by-case basis based on an in depth assessment of the protection risk.. 

Outcome 2: Local stakeholders’ capacity to identify and respond to protection cases is enhanced. DRC will establish and train Community based protection committees in the intervention sites where they don’t exist, in order to identify and respond to protection cases and provide community level psychosocial support. Specialized trainings on case management, psychosocial support and protection mainstreaming will be provided in order to built the capacities of the local duty-bearers to be able to respond effectively and in a dignified manner to the most vulnerable or at risk IDPs. DRC is additionally going to assist by facilitating workshops to establish referral pathways where those don’t exist. In order to prevent future protection risks, the CBPC will be trained and supported to conduct awareness raising sessions on identified risks and services