Iraq Crisis - Alternative Education and Life Skills for Youth - Mercy Corps 2017-2019

December 2016 - The humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate. The violence between armed groups and government forces has displaced over 3 million people from their homes. The capacity of the Government to respond to the basic needs of its citizens has been overwhelmed. While Daesh has lost considerable territory in 2016 it is expected that humanitarian needs will remain significant in the coming years. More people will be displaced by the conflict while many will remain displaced in camps and host communities. However there will also be growing numbers of people returning to areas no longer under the control of Daesh who will also need assistance to help restart their lives. With GAC’s support this project supports Mercy Corps’ Providing Leadership and Life Skills for Adolescents and Youth (PLLAY) programming in Iraq for adolescents and youth affected by the conflict with limited access to formal education. Project activities include: (1) improving access to supportive peer and mentor non-family relationships by training coaches and youth leaders from conflict-affected communities on mentorship and child protection; (2) improving accessibility for youth to community services and opportunities to gain life skills and participate in social interaction; (3) implementing social cohesion programs for youth by training youth leaders and coaches on community engagement and leadership; and (4) improving access for youth to safe spaces that provide learning and emotional stability by training community-based organizations (CBOs) on organizational management corporate development community outreach and child protection and creating Youth Advisory Councils.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to supportive peer and mentor relationships to conflict-affected adolescents and youths; (2) improved access for youth to opportunities for gaining life skills participation in social interaction and community services; (3) improved social cohesion in communities specifically targeting youth; (4) improved access for youth to safe spaces; and (5) improved capacity of CBOs to provide safe spaces for adolescents and youths. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are food insecure.