It’s another dusty day in Zaatari refugee camp when I meet 46-year-old Abu Raed at the International Rescue Committee’s health clinic. He seems to be well-known, everyone greeting him while we make our way to an empty caravan where we can talk. We sit facing one another. His skin has been scalded by the hot desert sun, and his eyes express deep sadness.

You have listened to me, more than my own sisters ever have,” says Duaa while sharing her moving story. She is one of some 70 Syrian refugees who took part in a series of art therapy workshops in three Jordanian cities and Zaatari camp. The workshops were organized by the International Rescue Committee, with support from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), to create an opportunity for war-stricken Syrians to deal with their trauma, express their feelings, and reconnect with their hopes and wishes for the future.

This study draws on three case countries – Nepal, Sierra Leone and South Sudan – to address gaps in evidence and understanding on violence against women and girls (VAWG) during post-conflict transition. It highlights the potential for state-building and peacebuilding processes to address VAWG, and the effect this has in advancing sustainable peace. This is the first time that a systematic approach has been taken to bridge the gap between VAWG and post-conflict state-building / peace-building policies and processes. The study was led by the George Washington Institute (GWI), CARE International UK and International Rescue Committee (IRC), and was conducted as part of the What Works to Prevent VAWG in Conflict and Humanitarian Crises programme, funded by UK aid.

While systematic evidence on violence against LGBTQI people in conflict and humanitarian settings is limited, local LGBTQI serving organisations and international humanitarian organisations have documented and exposed the threats to the physical and psychological safety, human rights, health, and economic security of LGBTQI individuals as they navigate conflict and displacement. Nevertheless, humanitarian responses continue to exclude LGBTQI people and communities, subjecting them to even higher risk of harm. In an effort to improve our approach as a humanitarian agency to reach, support, and advocate with and for LGBTQI people affected by humanitarian crises, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) undertook research to better understand the experiences of LGBTQI people in conflict and humanitarian settings.

Once every four years, the World Cup captures the undivided attention of hundreds of millions across the globe. It unites people in their love of the beautiful game and stirs national pride in fans and non-fans alike. I am a fan, so much so that today, I rose before 7am in order to watch the first match of the day. But I was not up so early to cheer on Team USA or any other nation’s team. No, I was up at first light to cheer on the International Rescue Committee’s squad of under-15 boys in the Zaatari camp World Cup tournament.