Version: 28 December 2014

IDP PROTECTION STRATEGY

KURDISH REGION OF IRAQ

2014-2015

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1. SITUATIONAL PROTECTION ANALYSIS

Overview of Displacement Since January 2014, almost 2.1 million Iraqi citizens have been displaced from their homes, of whom an estimated 830,000 IDPs are recorded as having been displaced to the Kurdish Rregion of Iraq (KRI).

1 Whilst

displacement is not a new phenomenon in Iraq, 2014 marked the first occasion on which such significant numbers of IDPs reached the KRI. The speed and scale of displacement experienced since June 2014 has stretched the absorption capacity of the host community in the KRI, as well as the resources of the central and regional Government to respond to the needs of IDPs. The undercurrent of ethno-sectarian conflict and the regional differences and aspirations between the regional and federal Government present challenges for humanitarian actors to ensure an equitable and protection-based response. Whilst there is no accurate age and gender breakdown of registration data for IDPs in the KRI currently, demographic sampling estimated that 57% of the IDP population is under the age of 18 years and 40% were aged between 18-60 years of age.

2 Further it is estimated that 5% of households headed by females.

Children, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and elderly people have been particularly vulnerable to the effects of conflict. Men face risks of killing, kidnapping and torture. Reports of abductions of women and girls from ethnic / religious minorities by ISIL and associated serious violations of their human rights have been recorded since August,

3 with survivors requiring extensive psychological, medical and other forms of protection

services. High levels of behaviour change amongst displaced children were reported during a rapid child protection needs assessment, highlighting the need for psychosocial and community support mechanisms for IDP children in the KRI. In addition, more than half of IDP children were reported as unable to access education in displacement, leading to heightened protection risks including early marriage, exploitation and child labour.

4

Assessments of the situation of persons with disabilities and reduced mobility in displacement have highlighted the lack of accessible facilities present in camps and collective shelters, limiting the ability of persons with disabilities / reduced mobility to access their rights to WASH, food, health and other vital services.

5

Access to and freedom of movement within the KRI, replacement of civil documentation and access to registration procedures, evictions from private and public buildings and the relocation of IDPs to camps which do not yet have sufficient services in place for the population have also been highlighted as key concerns during protection monitoring. It is considered likely that the conflict will continue in Iraq during 2015, causing protracted displacement for communities from their homes. As such, the protection working group (PWG) for the KRI will focus on protection interventions to address current and developing protection concerns for a sizeable displaced population in Northern Iraq until the end of 2015. Ensuring that IDPs have access to durable solutions is a long and complex procedure. Durable solutions may be obtained through (i) Return and reintegration in former homes or places of habitual residence; (ii) Local integration; or (iii) Settlement and integration elsewhere in Iraq. IDPs have to right to make a voluntary and informed decision about their future and the type of durable solution they pursue. To this end, IDPs are provided with relevant and accurate information on their options and on situation in their home or relocation areas, including through facilitation of free go and see visits to inform their decision-making. Durable solutions should be measured against applicable benchmarks, such as those included in the IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons.

6

1 IOM DTM round X, December 2014. For the purposes of this document, KRI refers to Erbil, Duhok and Suleymaniyah Governorates of

Iraq. 2 Shelter and CCCM rapid assessment, September 2014.

3 UNAMI POC report, 6-12 September 2014.

4 Interagency Child Protection Rapid Assessment Preliminary Findings, Erbil and Suleymaniyah Governorates (July & August 2014).

5 Handicap International, Accessibility reports Baharka Camp / Ainkawa Mall.

6 http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2010/04/durable-solutions

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IDP Legal Framework in Iraq According to the Constitution of Iraq (2005), all Iraqi citizens have the right to reside in an area of their choosing within the country.

7 Citizens are equal before the law without discrimination on the basis of gender,

race, ethnicity, nationality, origin, colour, religion, sect, belief or opinion, or economic or social status.8 The

region of Kurdistan constitutes a federal region of Iraq with the authority to exercise executive, judicial and legistative powers in accordance with the Constiutution. Regulating issues of citizenship, naturalisation, residency and the right to apply for asylum falls solely within the prerogative of the Federal Government.

9

Iraq is signatory to a number of key international human rights treaties, including: (i) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; (ii) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; (iii) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; (iv) Convention Against Torture; (v) Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Government of Iraq’s National Policy on Displacement of July 2008 sets out the rights of IDPs and identifies the basic goals and means to be pursued and achieved. The goal of the National Policy is to find durable solutions and to set out an effective, realistic and comprehensive framework to respond to the needs of displaced persons regardless of whether their displacement is characterized as protracted or recent. The policy recognises that the wide scope of displacement in Iraq requires a unified response at all levels of Government that will include the following activities:

Setting up a comprehensive, effective and realistic work plan based on facts and respond to all basic needs to deal with all aspects of displacement;

Providing adequate protection and assistance to displaced persons at all levels;

Specifying coordination structures among all state institutions to provide protection and assistance in a more effective manner to the displaced persons and returnees, and covering needs during emergencies; and

Allocating funds and developing relevant financial procedures for the implementation of this Policy. A number of national laws have been amended in the Kurdistan region to adapt to the regions’s legal priorities and social context. As such, navigating the legal system in the Kurdistan region has proven to be a challenge for IDPs, due to a general lack of understanding these local policies, procedures and practices implemented at the regional level. Some of these major ammendments include laws governing the legal age of marriage and polygamy. In 2008, the Kurdistan region has established special courts for cases of domestic violence which includes crimes of honor killings. In addition, issues of jurisdiction between the Governorates of Iraq has proven to be a major challenge for IDPs to access documentation and the legal system whilst displaced outside of their Governorate of origin. For example, Iraqi citizens are currently only able to apply for key forms of documentation (civil ID cards, nationality certificates, etc) inside their Governorate of origin or at special offices established in Baghdad and Najaf. Regional Overview of IDP Communities and Main Protection Risks

Disregard for Principles of International Humanitarian Law

It is of paramount importance to ensure the protection of civilians who are trapped by violence and are unable to access places of safety or who cannot access life-saving humanitarian assistance. The nature of the conflict

involves harsh violations of men and boys (killing, torture, forced recruitment) and women and girls (targeted killing of female professionals, abductions, sexual violence). The PWG, through UNAMI HRO/OHCHR, will undertake direct advocacy with the Government of Iraq and through members of civil society to promote awareness of all parties to the conflict of their obligations to respect and protect civilians and to ensure their rights to access essential humanitarian assistance. With the evolution of the fighting lines, it could

7Constitution of Iraq, Article 44: Each Iraqi has freedom of movement, travel, and residence inside and outside Iraq. 8Constitution of Iraq, Article 14: Iraqis are equal before the law without discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, origin, color, religion, sect, belief or opinion, or economic or social status. 9 Iraqi Constition, Articles 110, 117, 121.

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become necessary to relocate IDPs and host communities who otherwise will be caught and trapped in the area of fighting.

Access and freedom of movement

Since the onset of the internal displacement crisis in Iraq, findings from protection monitoring have consistently revealed that access to the KRI from southern and central Iraqi Governorates constitutes a fundamental protection concern for the IDPs. Consistent reports received from checkpoint monitors and from contact with IDP communities demonstrate that access to the KRI has remained a challenge for members of the Arab and Turkmen (and, more recently, Shabak) IDP communities. Access criteria applied at checkpoints continue to be subject to change based by the local security forces. The retention of the ID documents of the head of household at certain key entry points into the KRI is also of concern, leading to barriers in access to services (including registration) for families without their original documentation. In addition, reports have been received of barriers to freedom of movement within the KRI, with some IDPs reporting that they are unable to cross key checkpoints whilst others report that their freedom to depart from camps has been constrained.

Identification, Registration and Documentation of IDPs

IDPs are finding it difficult to replace or retrieve essential documentation, such as passports, Public Distribution System ration cards, nationality certificates and identification cards. Displaced people have few options available to them for the replacement of vital documentation outside of returning to their governorates of origin. Special offices have been established in Baghdad and Najaf to provide document replacement services. However, the geographical locations present particular challenges for IDPs in the KRI, many of who are unable to afford the travel costs or who are impeded from travelling due to their lack of identity documents. Without the required documentation some IDPs are barred from access to government services and a range of other civil status rights, including registrations of births, school enrollment, marriage or deaths They also face barriers in registering with the Ministry of Migration and Displaced (MoMD), Bureau of Displacement and Migration (BDM), Department of Displacement and Migration (DDM), face difficulty in applying for residency or receiving permission to cross check points inside the KRI. Identification cards are sometimes withheld by authorities at entry points into KRI, particularly for heads of families. The process for retrieving the ID cards has been cumbersome. Whilst progress has been made in the registration of IDPs in the KRI, the potential for confusion, duplication and a lack of clarity on procedures remains due to the differing procedures and institutions responsible for registration at the Governorate, regional and federal levels – namely the Bureau for Displacement and Migration (BDM), Department for Displacement and Migration (DDM) and Ministry of Migration and Displacement (MoMD). In addition, current registration procedures do not allow for age and gender dissagregated registration data to be provided. Following roundtable discussions between UNHCR, BDM, DDM and MoMD staff 11 key steps were agreed upon to facilitate the harmonization and improvement of registration standards in the KRI, including the creation of a single database, joint mass information campaigns and agreement on common criteria for IDP registration.

Insufficient shelter, evictions and relocations to inadequately-serviced camps

In the KRI a large proportion of IDPs reside outside of camps. However, there are limited shelter options available. Many IDPs are living in unfinished structures and construction sites, as well as in open urban spaces, such as markets, without adequate security, exposing them to high levels of protection risks. Increasing incidents of evictions from collective centers and from construction sites have been reported. Some IDPs also report that they are unable to afford rented accommodation and/or cannot be hosted by friends or family. IDPs in rented accommodation report that their financial resources are depleting and that they will be required to vacate their accommodation once they are no longer able to pay the rent. However, limited alternative shelter options are available for such IDPs at the current time.

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Most schools currently used as shelters are currently being vacated in order to prevent further delay in the beginning of the school year. In some cases, IDPs have been relocated from schools and other collective shelters to newly-established camps without certain necessary services – including health services, WASH provision, lighting, etc - having first been put in place according to the required standards in the new camps. The lack of adequate services in camps creates risks that IDPs will decide to prematurely return to their areas of origin before conditions ensuring their safety and security can be met. Promoting community acceptance and local integration is critical to address social and economic barriers between IDPs and host communities, as well as to achieve durable solutions to the current crisis. This includes addressing the needs of host communities alongside those of IDPs to reduce community tensions and sustain host community livelihoods.

Movement of Communities Leading to New Patterns of Cohabitation

IDPs that fled to the KRI have varing degrees of community support structures available. IDP communities with no strong community support structures in the KRI require more attention from humanitarian agencies not only in terms of the provision of humanitarian assistance but also in terms of assessing and responding to their protection needs and, in the longer term, planning for solutions. The new patterns of cohabitation amongst IDP, refugee and host communities in the KRI could ultimately be a determining factor for peace and stability in the region and attention to this matter is important, albeit sensitive. Conflict induced displacement challenges the traditional gender roles within families. There are an increasing number of households with women taking up the twin roles of caring for family members and providing economic security, or male members taking on the role of caring for young children as they may not venture out due to fear of intimidation/harassment. There are also reports of male family members experiencing multiple displacements whilst in search of economic opportunities, leaving women to take care of families. These specific patterns of ongoing displacement require a targeted approach that responds to the distinct needs and capacities of population based on sex, age and other vulnerabilities.

Increased Risk of SGBV

Different organisations are developing prevention and response mechanisms for GBV risks in the KRI. Under the coordination of the GBV Working group, pathways for intervention and services provided are in place.

All agencies and NGOs will continue to support government GBV prevention and response structures and mechanisms to ensure coherence, efficiency and to provide the best support to the GBV survivors

GBV actors in the KRI have on-going GBV projects targeting the newly displaced and the host community, addressing the issue through capacity building of service providers, sensitization and advocacy, including provision of psychosocial support to survivors of SGBV. Such an approach has been taken with due respect to the conservative nature of the particular IDP community.

With regard to possible GBV related projects, preliminary findings indicate that project implementation would require a a cautious approach to the issues as well as creative methods, in order to avoid creating any harm to survivors or those at risk particularly in view of the conservative nature of the communities.

The GBV sub working group for the KRI will continue to update and ensure the principled application of referral pathways and SOPs, ensuring access to services required in GBV response including medical and psychosocial care for primary and secondary survivors, as well as legal counselling, enhancing community based prevention mechanisms and building the capacity of local GBV actors / agencies involved in prevention and response. Challenges include the provision of quality psycho-social support; the dissemination and active use of referral pathways, the involvement of the authorities including the role of the Department of Health and delays in rolling out the GBV IMS.

Increased Risk of Child Protection Concerns

The conflict in Iraq has created substantial child protection needs, in addition to pre-existing child protection concerns in the country. IDP children in the KRI are exposed to a range of child protection violations and child protection concerns – some of which result directly from the conflict, others which are pre-existing child

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protection problems10

that are likely to be exacerbated by the conflict. Pre-existing child protection concerns identified include: various forms of physical and psychological violence such as widespread use of corporal punishment in schools; gender based violence such as early marriage; child labour due to the long lasting conflict in Iraq and the poor economic situation; other pre-existing child rights violations such as arbitrary detention; and institutionalization and abandonment of children. Institutional capacity on child protection in emergencies is considered nascent despite protracted crises in Iraq. The on-going conflict hampers efforts to respond to emerging child protection concerns as well as support the Kurdish Rregional Government (KRG) to reform child protection systems and services.

In armed conflict and emergencies, children experience numerous risks to their protection and psychosocial wellbeing. These risks include child killings or injuries, abduction, physical and sexual abuse, exploitation, recruitment into armed forces, separation from caregivers, the death of family members, witnessing or directly experiencing violence, harassment, discrimination and exclusion, interrupted schooling, shifting of roles and responsibilities within the household and breakdown of community-based mechanisms of support, among others. Displaced children are often unsupervised as parents and caregivers focus their time and energy on finding shelter, food, and water and emergency assistance. Caregivers may also be stressed and overwhelmed by the events they have experienced and not be emotionally available to help and support their children. Children may have lost support from other caregivers in their communities such as teachers, religious leaders, extended family and neighbours. Commonly, the pre-existing social fabrics within a community have been torn apart and no longer offer support or promote recovery unless special efforts are made to re-establish these important community mechanisms. These experiences can have significant negative impacts on the child’s development and resilience against vulnerabilities.

During July and August 2014, Child Protection Sub-Cluster (CPSC) for the KRI undertook an inter-agency Child Protection Assessment (CPA) in Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah Governorates. The CPA exercise is intended to address the data-gaps and assess child protection needs within the existing support mechanisms in the current armed conflict in Iraq.

The findings focus on child protection concerns related to IDPs in the KRI following the last influx in June 2014, including: separation from usual caregivers; violence against and physical danger to children; psychosocial support and community support mechanisms; lack of access to services. In addition, the UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on Children and Armed Conflict (MRM CAAC) has verified numerous cases of grave violations against children committed by non state armed groups in conflict-affected areas, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, abductions, and the military recruitment and use of children.

In this context, the CPSC prioritizes immediate implementation of psychosocial child-focused actions such as the establishment of Child Friendly Spaces (CFS). Additionally, and considering the scale of the crisis, CPSC actors are working with other clusters/working groups to explore how to effectively integrate protection and psychosocial support (PSS) into multiple cluster responses.

According to the UN’s monitoring and reporting mechanism for grave violations of children’s rights in Iraq, 465 children have been killed

11 and a further 324 injured

12 in various incidents across Iraq in 2014. 70 grave

violations affecting children's access to health and education13

have also been confirmed. The CPSC remains very concerned about the continuing grave violations committed against children in Iraq and will continue its advocacy to call on all parties to the conflict to cease indiscriminate acts of violence that harm children. Working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Child Welfare Commission, CPSC is supporting the Government of Iraq and the KRG to develop a Child Protection Policy and Child Law to better protect children in Iraq.

Increased Risk for Adolescents

The high exposure of children to violence affects them psychologically, causing increased strain and fear. Decades of war and sanctions have already resulted in chronic instability, a weakened education system and an

10

Iraq MICS 2011 indicates that 79% of children age 2-14 years were subjected to at least one form of psychological or physical punishment by their mothers/caretakers with an alarming 28% rate subjected to a severe physical punishment. 11

Including 150 cases pending verification 12

Including 98 pending verification 13

Including 29 cases pending verification

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increased involvement in crime, drug and substance abuse among adolescents14

. The current crisis has resulted in a rise of juveniles in contact with the law, and in particular their pre-trial detention at police stations. To mitigate the deleterious impact of extended pre-trial detentions on juveniles, UNICEF and CPSC will strengthen its network of lawyers providing legal assistance to juveniles and will ensure the urgent referral of juveniles to the court system.

In this particular environment, adolescent girls are also vulnerable to high levels of violence including rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. Adolescent girls are at increased risk of violence due to a number of factors such as a lack of community protective mechanisms during displacement, and increased challenges related to seeking help in traditional child protection interventions in emergencies such as psychosocial support in child-friendly spaces. In emergencies, and during displacement in particular, families have a tendency to place tighter restrictions on adolescent girls’ movements or give girls increased responsibilities around the home, limiting their ability to access traditional entry points to services.

During displacement, there is a tendancy for a rise in reports of caregivers encouraging early marriage for a variety of reasons including financial constraints. This compromises the development of the girl, with early marriage cases often resulting in early pregnancy and social isolation, with limited access to education and vocational training, thus reinforcing the gender nature of poverty.

15 In the particular context of displacement,

unstable social periods are considered as significant factors in determining a girl’s risk of becoming married while still a child.

16

The CPSC will seek ways to further engage adolescents affected by the emergency, and will be critical to prepare the post-conflict recovery phase. The involvement already made with children by the members of the CPSC since the beginning of the crisis will be used as an entry point to further integrate adolescents at the community level.

The CPSC will encourage the set up of Youth clubs, which provide adolescents with important skills to develop networks and help reduce the immediate vulnerability and feelings of powerlessness. When youth do not have positive options in their lives, they are at increased risk of sexual exploitation, recruitment into armed groups, and engagement in dangerous labour activities. Youth clubs can provide a positive option and can also help youth organize to take a proactive role in addressing community problems. Finally, youth clubs can provide an important opportunity for youth to further develop socially while engaging with others, relaxing and having fun.

Increased Risk for Persons with Specific Needs

Consultation with and assistance to persons with specific needs, including those with disabilities, chronic illnesses and injuries and older persons is a priority for the PWG. In line with protection community-based approach, actors will ensure that persons with specific needs are consulted in the process of programming and evaluation of activities and play an active role. Psychosocial support and case management services for persons with specific needs will be provided as required in collaboration with specialized agencies and public services. Children with disabilities can be particularly vulnerable to child protection risks; measures will be taken to ensure that they are consulted, that their needs are taken into account by service providers (in particular in the field of education) and that their access to protective services occurs on a timely basis.

KRI Coordination Structure within the Protection Cluster

Cluster/Sector Lead Agency UNHCR

14

Child Protection in War-zone Iraq: Recommendations for Policy and Practice Kristel Tonstad, Master in Public Policy Candidate 2007 - Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Adolescents are normally referred to as people between the age of 10 to 19, CPMS, P221. 15

The right to ‘free and full’ consent to a marriage is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the recognition of the maturity as an important component to make an informed decision. 16

In the MICS questionnaire, about one in five young women age 15-19 years is currently married in Iraq (21%).

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Cluster Co-facilitator TBC

Sub-clusters/Working GroupLeads Child Protection: UNICEF and Save the Children

SGBV: UNFPA, UNHCR, NRC

Protection Steering Group (PSG) UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, NRC, DRC, IRC, Save the

Children, Intersos, Qandil (PARC)

2. PROTECTION PRIORITIES

Guiding Principles

The work of the Protection Working Group is guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence and the humanitarian imperative of ‘Do No Harm’ for the individuals and communities it aims to assist. When implementing their activities, all members of the PWG will respect these humanitarian principles and minimum standards, namely: (i) “Professional Standards for Protection Work”, ICRC, 2013, (ii) “Women, girls, boys and men: different needs, equal opportunities”, IASC 2009; (iii) “Guidelines for GBV interventions in humanitarian settings”, IASC 2005, (iv) “Ethical and safety recommendations for researching, documenting and monitoring sexual violence in emergencies”, WHO 2007, (v) UNHCR, Age, Gender and Diversity Policy, Working with People and Communities for equality and Protection (2011), (vi) UNHCR, Conclusion on Refugees with Disabilities and Other Persons with Disabilities Protected and assisted by UNHCR, No. 110 (LXI) – 2010 and (vii) accountability to affected communities.

Recognizing that the Government has the primary responsibility to protect its population, the PWG refers in particular to the relevant international legal framework: (i) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; (ii) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; (iii) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; (iv) Convention Against Torture; (v) Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Protection Priorities

The PWG Strategy for 2014- 2015 is the result of a consultative process involving all members of the working group. Given the protection risks facing the IDP community in the KRI as set out in section 1 above, the PWG has identified the following protection priorities:

1. Ensuring access to safety and freedom of movement for IDPs, including ensuring respect for the rights of IDPs to choose their place of residence and not to be forcibly encamped;

2. Assisting IDPs to enjoy their right to an adequate standard of living, including basic shelter and housing and to work to prevent the unlawful eviction of IDPs from existing shelter;

3. Ensuring that policy and legal frameworks determining the rights of IDPs are applied and enforced, with due respect to relevant norms of international law and working to improve the capacity of the Iraqi authorities to meet their obligations under national and international law towards IDPs;

4. Assisting IDPs to replace / obtain necessary forms of documentation in displacement; 5. Supporting the Government of Iraq / KRI authorities to conduct registration of IDPs in line with

applicable standards; 6. Ensuring IDPs have access to basic services and assistance without discrimination; 7. The development of community-based protection networks;

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8. Ensuring an AGDM approach is mainstreamed within the humanitarian response; 9. The protection of IDPs with specific protection needs, including children, persons with disabilities, the

elderly, etc is sufficiently ensured, including through the provision of specialized support and services; 10. Peaceful coexistence between IDP and host communities is promoted; 11. IDPs will have access to durable solutions in line with applicable international standards.

The protection cluster will implement its strategy consistent to the IASC gender commitments to ensure the protection priorities and responses idenfied are gender inclusive and build on the differential needs and capacities of women, girls, boys and men in the communities.

3. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

The PWG Strategy is guided by strategic objectives of the 2014 Strategic Response Plan (SRP) for Iraq (2014-2015), namely:

1. Respond to the protection needs of civilians, including those displaced and otherwise affected by the

conflict, with due regard to human rights and international humanitarian law.

2. Provide life-saving assistance and ensure access to essential services for displaced and vulnerable individuals in a manner that is conflict-sensitive and supports the government in its responsibility as first responder.

3. Improve the access of conflict-affected people to livelihoods and durable solutions to enable them to restore their self-sufficiency and builds resilience.

The Protection Cluster has identified the following priorities within the context of the SRP which also guide the PWG strategy for the KRI:

1. The protection needs and gaps of displaced persons and conflict-affected populations are identified

through effective protection monitoring, assessment and government registration. 2. Conflict affected and displaced persons are effectively protected from violence and exploitation and

human rights violations are prevented. 3. Services for persons with specific needs are strengthened. 4. Provision of life-saving services to women and children exposed to traumatic experience and

unaccompanied and separated children

Based on the priorities identified above, the PWG (KRI) will align its activities around the following protection objectives:

1. The protection needs of displaced persons and conflict-affected populations are identified through robust monitoring and protection-sensitive responses are made available to persons of concern. The overall humanitarian responses are informed by the outcomes of protection monitoring, and are strengthened through advocacy, capacity building and protection mainstreaming, including GBV, in support of durable solutions.

2. Enhanced well-being of internally displaced and/or conflict-affected girls, boys and adolescent at risk by identifying, responding to, and preventing reoccurrence of their protection concerns

3. Effectiveness of prevention, identification and quality response targeting IDPs and conflict-affected persons affected by GBV and SGBV is strengthened and these issues are mainstreamed in all relevant humanitarian engagements

4. Strengthened community-based protection and outreach, and individualized services for IDPs and conflict affected individuals, in particular those with specific protection vulnerabilities

5. IDPs have access to durable solutions in line with relevant international norms. Objectives, Activities and Indicators

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Objective 1: The protection needs of displaced persons and conflict-affected populations are identified through robust monitoring and protection-sensitive responses are made available to persons of concern. The overall humanitarian responses are informed by the outcomes of protection monitoring, and are strengthened through advocacy, capacity building and protection mainstreatming, including GBV, in support of durable solutions. Indicators: % of IDPs reached by protection monitoring % of IDPs registered % of IDPs in need of legal support receiving it

Priority Activity Partners Involved

Indicators

Protection monitoring (SRP) # of IDPs reached by protection monitoring (disaggregated by age / gender)

Mobile protection monitoring teams are established and operational, in order to identify at-risk groups in need of assistance / services and in order to collect relevant data to inform the overall protection response as well as refer to specialized partners

Qandil, Harikar, CDO, DRC, INTERSOS, IRC

# additional monitoring teams established; # IDPs reached through mobile protection services; SOPs in place on referral; referral pathways / service mapping for IDPs complete

Checkpoint monitoring conducted all key entry/exit points for the KRI

REACH/Qandil

# entry points monitored; # reports produced analyzing movement trends into / out of the KRI / ability of IDPs to access the KRI

Revision of interagency protection monitoring tools and data sharing protocols

PSG # interagency monitoring tools developed / data sharing protocols in place / revised

Advocacy with the HCT/HC and other key stakeholders (SRP)

# of protection analysis and guidelines shared

# of protection mainstreaming activities undertaken

Cross-sectoral protection activities, training, and advocacy are conducted and mainstreamed into the humanitarian respose, including with the HC/HCT.

PWG members

# protection training conducted for other sectors; # protection advocacy interventions with KRI authorities / other sectors / HC / HCT

Support to authorities on registration and documentation (SRP)

# of registration staff recruited

# of meetings, workshops and seminars organized

Registration and profiling of IDPs is conducted through the provision of technical support to MODM BDM and DDM including equipment, personnel. Mobile registration teams established and operational in camp and non-camp settings

MoMD, DDM, BDM, Qandil, CDO, INTERSOS

# of local authorities receiving support and capacity development; # mobile registration teams established

Cooperation with the central government is enhanced to facilitate the process of obtaining civil documentation remains a priority to uphold a citizen’s basic rights.

UNHCR, MoI, Ministry of Trade

# civil documentation processing centres for IDPs established in KRI; # capacity building initiatives undertaken with MoI / Ministry of Trade

Provision of legal assistance (SRP) # of IDP cases receiving legal assistance (age / gender dissagregated)

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# of persons benefitting from HLP initiatives (age / gender dissagregated)

Legal services are provided to IDPs in need of legal assistance. As per applicable KRI regional law, specialized legal assistance is provided to IDPs as per their legal needs (i.e. obtaining civil documentation, access restriction into KRI, divorce and marriage, GBV, HLP).

Qandil, Harikar, CDO, DRC, UNDP (Al-Messala), NRC

# of IDP cases receiving legal assistance (age / gender dissagregated)

Capacity building and training (SRP)

# of capacity building initiatives including protection mainstreaming and trainings on IDP guiding principles, IHL and human rights laws undertaken for relevant stakeholders

# of publicly available protection related policy papers, reports and assessments of the different clusters that include age and sex disaggregated data

Objective 2 Enhanced well-being of internally displaced and/or conflict-affected girls, boys and adolescent at risk by identifying, responding to, and preventing reoccurrence of their protection concerns Indicator 1. # of children accessing Psychosocial Support Services 2. # of children receiving specialized child protection services

Priority Activity Partners Involved Indicators

Provision of child protection services

Provide psychosocial support and recreational services to children and caregivers through appropriate psychosocial support and activities

UNICEF, Save the Children, ACTED, Kurdistan Children's Nest, Nujeen, SOSD, STEP, Terre des Hommes Italy, War Child UK, Public Aid Organisation, FOCSIV

# of children (estimate) with access to psychosocial support

Identify, adapt and maintain community-based alternative care arrangements for UASC and other at risk children Provide family tracing and reunification services for UASC

UNICEF, Save the Children, IRC, ACTED, STEP, Terre des Hommes Italy

# of unaccompanied and separated children who are reunited with their caregivers or in appropriate long term alternative

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Enlarge, strengthen and implement child protection MRM mechanism

UNICEF, War Child UK

# of cases of grave violation monitored verified and documented

Identify and refer child protection cases to appropriate services - according to CP SC/WG case management standardized procedures and information tools

UNICEF, IRC, ACTED, Save the Children, STEP, Terre des Hommes Italy

# and % of targeted vulnerable children that access special protection assistance

Objective 3: Effectiveness of prevention, identification and quality response targeting IDPs and conflict affected persons affected by GBV and SGBV is strengthened and these issues are mainstreamed in all relevant Humanitarian engagement. Indicator: % of identified SGBV survivors receive at least one specialized support.

Priority Activity Partners involved

Indicators

Service mechanisms are in place for identification and quality response for

survivors of GBV and SGBV, with adequate referral system (SRP)

# of IDPs including women, girls, boys and men provided with information on SGBV prevention and response

# of women and girls who received dignity kits

Prevention measures, including outreach, training and other essential services are in

place and functioning well (SRP)

# of women/safe spaces established

# of women and girls accessing women spaces

Improve coordination with KR-I Region institutions and systems, including the National Resilience Plan, the National Strategy for Combating VAW, and support national institution in their coordination capacity for PoCs.

UNHCR, UNWOMEN, UNDP, UNFPA

# of SGBV coordination structures functional at KRI and Governorate level

# of National partners participating in SGBV coordination meeting

Ensure SGBV concerns are mainstreamed in relevant sectors (CP, education, protection, health, food, WASH, shelter, etc.)

UNHCR, NRC, UNWOMEN, IRC, UNFPA

# of SGBV related issues/ concerns reported to other sectors

Capacity building through trainings and mentorships on prevention (incl. trainings on SOP) and response to relevant government actors, SGBV service-providers and community members

UNHCR, UNFPA, NRC, UNDP, UNWOMEN, IMC

# trainings (by type) and participants (by service providers)

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Conduct regular assesment for evidence-based programming and advocacy with relevant sectors on GBV prevention and response

NRC, UNFPA, IRC # of SGBV related assesment conducted that highlight relevant SGBV issues for evidence based programming

Preventive measures through outreach, awareness raising including peer to peer approach for women, girls boys and men are in place and functional

UNHCR, NRC, UNFPA, Al massela, UNDP, IMC

# of outreach prevention activities, # participatory workshops

Support social activities for women and girld in women/youth spaces, for Psychosocial support including recreational activities

UNHCR, UNFPA, WHO, UNDP, NRC,IRC

# of space managers selected to manage the social activities and courses in women/youthcenters,

# new community outreach centers created,

# of in house volunteers supporting activities conducted at women/youth centers volunteers.

Provide safe, confidential and compassionate case management,medical, PSS, legal, safety/security services to SGBV survivors

UNHCR, UNFPA, UNDP, IMC, NRC

# of GBV survivors receive atleast one specialised service

Objective 4: Strengthened community-based protection and outreach, and individualized services for IDPs and conflict affected individuals, in particular those with specific protection vulnerabilities Indicator: % of IDPs and conflict-affected people with specific needs receive relevant assistance

Priority Activity Partners involved

Indicators

Support for persons with specific needs (SRP)

# of IDPs who received psychosocial counseling (age / gender dissagregated)

# of IDPs receiving cash grants (age / gender dissagregated)

# of IDPs with specific needs identified and referred for relevant assistance available from across different clusters (age / gender dissagregated)

# of IDPs who received transportation assistance (age / gender dissagregated)

Emergency cash assistance is provided to vulnerable IDP families

Qandil, CDO, DRC, ACTED, IRC, Mercy Corps, SCI

# IDPs assisted with cash assistance (disaggregated by age / sex)

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Provision of specialized services for people persons with specific needs including person with disability, chronic diseases and injuries, through Protection Services Centers in camps and urban areas as well as outreach activities.

Handicap International, DRC, INTERSOS, IRC

# IDPs with specific needs provided with assistance / services / referred to specialized partners; # community outreach / protection service centres established; # IDPs accessing protection service centre services

Interagency hotline established for IDPs UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA

# IDPs accessing protection hotline; # queries answered / referrals made to specialized services for IDPs

Awareness raising/information campaign (SRP)

# IDPs reached through awarenessraising/information campaigns

# of affected individuals with the information needed to reduce personal risks owing to mine contamination – Mine Risk Education (RE) and Expanded Site Inspection (ESI)

Communication with Communities: (i) establish two-way communication with affected communities and protection actors; (ii) develop and broadcast key messages on access to services, assistance and rights of IDPs; (iii) establishing communications channels to facilitate feedback, complaints, information requests from affected communities on protection services

UPP, IRC, DRC, QANDIL, NRC, INTERSOS

# of mass information products distributed; # of communication channels established between protection actors and target population; # of key messages on access to services, assistance and rights of IDPs broadcast

Community outreach (SRP) # IDPs with access to community structures

Quick impact projects are implemented in order to support community capacity to

respond to the protection needs of IDPs and to promote peaceful coexistence

Qandil, DRC [others TBC]

# of QIPs completed; # people benefitting from QIPs (IDPs, host community, etc)

Community-based protection / dispute resolution mechanisms are established

UNDP, INTERSOS, DRC, IRC, NRC

# community-based protection / dispute resolution mechanisms established

Provision of support to Third Country Nationals (SRP)

IOM # of Third Country Nationals at risk evacuated

Objective 5: IDPs have access to durable solutions in line with relevant international norms Indicator: % of IDPs with access to durable solutions

Priority Activity Partners involved

Indicators

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Mobile protection monitoring teams are established and operational, in order to

monitor departures of IDPs from the KRI to areas of origin and determine the voluntariness of decisions taken

Qandil, Harikar, CDO, DRC,

INTERSOS, IRC

# of monitoring visits undertaken; # of go and see visits facilitated; # of information campaign pertaining to durable solutions

conducted

Legal services provided and issuance / replacement of documentation facilitated to

enable restitution of housing, land and property rights for IDPs

Qandil, Harikar, UNDP, Ministry

of Interior

# of IDP cases receiving legal assistance (age / gender dissagregated); # of persons benefitting from HLP initiatives (age / gender dissagregated); # civil documentation processing centres for IDPs established in KRI; # capacity building initiatives undertaken with MoI

4. MONITORING &EVALUATION

The PWG Lead in cooperation with PWG members is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Protection Strategy for KRI. Based on the workplan linked to this Strategy which outlines the monitoring framework, the PWG Lead will provide a concise monitoring report every six months. In line with the findings of the monitoring report, the PWG will review its strategy as necessary. Monitoring and Evaluation will be conducted jointly by UN Agencies and implementing partners in the KRI. Focal points and staff based in Erbil, Dohuk and Suleymaniyah will be engaged in direct monitoring of protection and assistance response in close collaboration with local partners. In places where IDP families reside in community structures such as schools, mosques and compounds, a “group leader” will be identified and will act as the main points of contact, coordinate the distribution of relief items and assist in the monitoring. A gender, age, and diversity balance will be taken into account when identifying these group leaders. Other networks will also be utilized to assist with distribution and monitoring.

5. ASSUMPTIONS & CONSTRAINTS

Assumptions:

The security situation within Duhok, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah Governorates remains stable and conditions permit the access of humanitarian actors to displaced populations.

Access policies at checkpoints between the KRI and central Iraq continue to be subject to change. Continued advocacy with the KRI and the GoI leads to a coherent registration process for the

newly displaced. A greater influx of IDPs into the KRI is met with an increased mobilization of resources and

response. Liberty of movement and freedom to choose place of residency are upheld by the KRI; IDPs are

not systematically enticed to go from urban areas into camps. The KRI facilitates the delivery of assistance, including cash grants and protection work, based on

identified need of the population. The security situation does not deteriorate to the point that international actors are forced to

withdraw further from the affected areas. The country does not fully slide back into sectarian conflict.

Current Constraints:

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Residency remains unstandardized. Renewal of residency also differs based on inconsistent factors. This has a major impact on the ability of persons to sustain themselves in a non-camp environment and the inconsistency leads to challenges in targeting and providing assistance.

The transient nature of the displaced population leads to challenges in terms of (a) locating the most vulnerable, and (b) providing them with meaningful assistance.

Urban areas remain overcrowded, with services overwhelmed in many areas. Host communities, who are sometimes also hosting refugees and IDPs from previous waves of displacement, are also increasing in vulnerability. The protection situation in camps remains of particular concern, with camps in unsafe locations without appropriate protection measures in place.

Persons who have been either unable to flee their homes or who have been trapped behind checkpoints remain difficult to access. The security situation in many areas remains fluid and tenuous.

Protection Working Group, Kurdish Region of Iraq, 28 December 2014

ANNEX: ASSESSMENTS

EVIDENCE BASE FOR THE PROTECTION CLUSTER STRATEGY

The tables below summarize needs assessments undertaken within the humanitarian response during

the last year and the planned ones for the next year. The planning for the upcoming year includes the

minimum joint/coordinated assessments in which the PWG will engage or will carry out itself for

designated priority areas. Report results will be shared widely by the PWG Lead.

1. Rapid Protection Needs Assessment for newly-arrived IDPs In the Kurdish Region of Iraq (June

2014) PWG KRI

2. Protection monitoring Erbil, Dohuk, Sulaymaiyah (ongoing)

3. Checkpoint monitoring (ongoing)

4. DTM-IOM (ongoing)

5. Interagency Child Protection Rapid Assessment Preliminary Findings, Erbil and Suleymaniyah

Governorates (July & August 2014).

6. Handicap International, Accessibility reports (ongoing)

7. SGBV risk assessments

8. REACH vulnerability, needs and intentions assessment for IDPs in the KRI

9. MAG desk study

10. UNHABITAT HLP rapid assessment

11. Communication and Information Needs Among IDPs in Northern Iraq (Interagency rapid

assessment August 2014)

12. A2J Assessment on access to legal assistance for IDPs (planned)

13. CCCM cluster rapid assessment of informal and collective shelters in the KRI

14. Report on the human rights of IDPs in Iraq (2011) A/HRC/16/43/Add.1

15. IOM Governorate profiles

16. IOM assessment on HLP (planned)