The policy brief titled 'Bridging the Early Childhood Development Gap' outlines a collaborative initiative by the Jordanian Ministry of Health and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to bridge the early childhood development gap in Jordan, emphasizing the importance of responsive caregiving for children's holistic growth. Through the Ahlan Simsim program, the effort targets enhancing healthcare workers' abilities to support children aged 0 to 5 and their caregivers, with a special focus on communities in need, including refugees.

The policy brief titled 'Bridging the Early Childhood Development Gap' outlines a collaborative initiative by the Jordanian Ministry of Health and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to bridge the early childhood development gap in Jordan, emphasizing the importance of responsive caregiving for children's holistic growth. Through the Ahlan Simsim program, the effort targets enhancing healthcare workers' abilities to support children aged 0 to 5 and their caregivers, with a special focus on communities in need, including refugees.

El proyecto Manos que Cuidan del International Rescue Committee busca apoyar el desarrollo integral, cuidado y protección de niños y niñas migrantes y de la comunidad de acogida de 0 a 5 años en Ecuador. Luego de la implementación inicial de Manos que Cuidan, el International Rescue Committee (IRC) desarrolló un reporte con reflexiones y aprendizajes que organizaciones pueden replicar.

Nazia and Rolian bonded at a refugee camp in Greece over their love for dance. The two 16-year-old girls—one from Afghanistan, the other from Syria—practice Zumba moves to videos downloaded on Nazia’s mobile phone.

This assessment aims to identify concrete actions the IRC can take to better respond to the needs of Syrian and Jordanian adolescent girls.

Over 3.7 million Syrian children have been born into violence, poverty and displacement since the brutal war in Syria began over six years ago. Under these conditions, too many children lack stable, nurturing and enriching environments – including frequent interactions with caregivers that promote learning, and development. This case study provides a look at the process of adapting and piloting Vroom for Syrian refugee parents and families. Vroom empowers parents and caregivers of young children to turn everyday moments into brain building moments.

The report documents the experience of adapting and implementing this play-based home visiting intervention in a crisis setting and shares stories of community workers and caregivers participating in the program in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.  We are now scaling this intervention through our Ahlan Simsim program to reach even more children and caregivers.

This brief summarizes actions that program planners and implementers should take to minimize the impact that emergencies have on the lives of young children and their families.