Syria Crisis - Agricultural Livelihoods and Psychosocial Support - 2017-2019

December 2016 - The humanitarian situation in Syria continues to deteriorate as a result of the civil war in the country. An estimated 13.5 million people continue to be in need of humanitarian assistance 6.1 million of which are displaced internally by violence and 975 080 located in besieged communities according to the United Nations. Repeated and deliberate attacks on humanitarian and medical workers continue to plague the conflict adding to the vulnerability of millions of people particularly women and children who are affected by the conflict and struggle for access to the most basic services. With GAC’s support this project provides livelihood opportunities and psychosocial support to up to 36 800 conflict-affected people. Project activities include: (1) provision of critical agricultural inputs at key times; (2) training on better farming techniques and increase productivity of cultivated land; (3) supporting conflict-affected rural women in sustaining productive animals; (4) supporting conflict-affected rural women in establishing and maintaining sustainable keyhole gardens; and (5) building and sustaining Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs).

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved and expanded production of conflict affected farmers; (2) sustained homestead-based vegetable gardens; (3) sustained productive animals by conflict-affected rural women; and (4) conflict-affected children and parents are better equipped to deal with stress and psychosocial distress. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are food insecure.