Risk Education, ERW Contamination Impact Survey and VA Referral Case Management in NW Syria This project is consistent with HALO’s contribution to the 2020 HRP (ref: HSYR20-PRO-MIN-164140-1). It reflects lessons learned from HALO’s experience in NW Syria since 2016 amp consultation with the Mine Action Sub-Cluster (MASC), CCCM, Health amp Education clusters amp OCHA’s Access Working Group.

HALO will deliver a 12-month response, through direct implementation amp support from an implementing partner (iMFAD). The project includes Risk Education (RE), Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Enhanced Contamination Impact Survey (ECIS), Victim Data Collection (VDC) amp Victim Assistance (VA) referral case management in selected districts across opposition-controlled areas of Idleb/western Aleppo amp Turkish-controlled areas of Aleppo. HALO will cover opposition-controlled areas, iMFAD will cover Turkish-controlled areas. The response is identical in both areas. Field staff will also be trained to deliver community COVID-19 awareness messaging consistent with WHO guidance. The project concept of operations is at Annex A (slide 8).

HALO will strengthen its presence in Gaziantep, reducing its presence in Amman. Project staff is 52 – 19 funded at 100% (HALO: 7, iMFAD: 6, contracted drivers: 6) - all in Syria amp 33 funded under shared arrangements (HALO: 23, iMFAD: 10). 32 of 52 staff are in NW Syria. The project organogram is at Annex B.

According to the 2020 HNO, ERW contamination increased by 29% from 2018 to 2019, with communities most at risk located near the frontlines of conflict and in urban centres. HALO’s extensive amp ongoing ECIS work in NW Syria confirms the ongoing threat posed by ERW. With official ERW disposal yet to commence in NW Syria, RE continues to plays a critical role in improving awareness amp reinforcing safe behavior amongst children amp adults.

2 x 5-person Community Liaison Teams (CLTs) (1 x HALO, 1 x iMFAD) will deliver standardized 30-40 min community-based RE sessions to children and adults, with content consistent with MASC key messaging. The priority will be IDPs in preparation for return to contaminated home communities. CLTs will also deliver training to Community Focal Points (CFPs) amp NGO Focal Points across all humanitarian sectors to improve the integration and reach of RE messaging. The total target is 19,760 beneficiaries (9,690 children, 9,690 adults amp 380 CFPs/NGO Focal Points). Beneficiary calculations are at Annex C.

CLTs will also provide ECIS support upon request (from other humanitarian actors amp local authorities) to identify, mark, report amp map ERW contamination in targeted districts. This activity is a continuation of HALO’s ERW survey work in NW Syria, which is scheduled to be completed by 31 Aug 2020. 

Additionally, 3 x VA Case Management staff (2 x HALO, 1 x iMFAD), with support from CLTs, will collect amp analyse victim/survivor data from ERW amp other conflict-related accidents in order to identify referral requirements to specialised services. Case Management staff will ensure effective referral to relevant support services (as available), including transportation, amp maintain a relationship with referred beneficiaries throughout the process. This activity will enhance the resilience of people living with injuries amp disabilities (PLWD) and will complement other HALO projects with VA components (e.g. physiotherapy, prosthetics, psychosocial support, multi-purpose assistance). These efforts improve successful referral rates for survivors needing assistance, which indirectly relieves pressure on the Health cluster amp other clusters. The target is 285 interviews with a 50% successful referral rate for victims/survivors requiring assistance.

The project will be led by the combined HALO/iMFAD project office in Gaziantep, supported directly by HALO staff in Amman amp iMFAD staff in Balikesir. All field activities will be coordinated from HALO's Operation room in Amman.

The project has a Plan B, in order to mitigate key risks including access problems, security amp COVID.