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Since 1933, the IRC has provided hope and humanitarian aid to refugees and other victims of oppression and violent conflict around the world.
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VOICES FROM THE FIELDTHE IRC BLOG
IRC to expand support for Syrian refugee women
Women and children comprise approximately 75% of Syrian refugees, and have specific needs
Photo: Ned Colt/IRC
AMMAN, Jordan -
As the crisis in Syria continues to escalate, the International Rescue Committee is expanding our assistance to Syrian refugees in neighboring Jordan to provide specialized care and support for women. A new project will directly benefit some 6,000 Syrian women and girls, and is designed to raise awareness of gender-specific issues among the urban communities which are currently home to close to 80% of Syrian refugees here.
IRC counselors will provide emotional care and support for survivors of sexual assault and other forms of violence against women. Refugees will also have access to private space where they can meet and receive group support. These ‘safe spaces’ are particularly important to women and girls. The IRC will also provide training to those working with refugees in how to screen, address and refer instances of sexual and domestic violence. Given disturbing reports that there’s been an increase in forced marriages in refugee families — in some cases, early and coerced marriages are seen as lessening the burden of dependents — the IRC will work to raise awareness of the issue. The IRC will also distribute towels, soap, headscarves and other basic necessities that help women and girls maintain dignity and feminine hygiene in challenging times.
Two IRC assessments completed this year in Jordan indicate that women and girls have been particularly impacted by the crisis in Syria. Many women say that targeted violence against females was a key reason for their fleeing. The reports also took note of a dearth of support available to women once they arrived in Jordan. “There is no question that a multitude of these refugee women and girls need help,” says Elina Amaeva, who coordinates IRC programming in Jordan. “We are confident this will make a very real difference in the lives of thousands.”
Currently, the IRC operates two health care clinics in the Jordanian border cities of Mafraq and Ramtha that serve a combined 100 patients daily. Those clinics provide not only checkups and examinations, but also prescriptions enabling them to receive free medicine at nearby pharmacies.
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Posted in Emergency Response, Gender based Violence, Women, Syria Crisis, Domestic Violence, Middle East, Jordan | Tags: refugees, domestic violence, girls, sexual assault, women, humanitarian aid, Syrian refugees
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