In all four Qudra 2 partner countries local governments have been at the forefront of basic service delivery to refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has added new challenges. Qudra 2 supports the efforts of local government partners to deliver inclusive basic services to their communities. This contributes not only to the wellbeing of individuals, but also social cohesion and stability in communities.
In Iraq, Quick Impact Projects have delivered infrastructure improvements, while in Turkey, social cohesion and other basic social services were at the forefront of our support to communities.
Iraq – Quick Impact Projects for local communities
In Iraq, the successful Governorate Development Facility (GDF) and its Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) have continued in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The focus has been on the urgent need for health services, access to clean water and safe roads.
Under the guidance of the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC) in KRI, QIPs are identified in a highly participatory and transparent process that ensures that priority needs of local communities are met.
27 QIPs have been or are in the process of being implemented. A priority was placed to improving water and electricity supply to residential areas, ensuring road safety, access to health services, and adequate education facilities.
Examples include the connection of residential areas to the water and/or electricity networks, the extension of maternity health facilities and school rehabilitation.
Three QIPs directly tackled the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of Qudra 2, the Governorate of Halabja established the first diagnostic laboratory, the Governorate of Sulaymaniyah added an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the Qalawchalan Hospital of the Peshmerga Health foundation and the Governorate of Erbil provided the power supply for a newly established COVID-19 hospital.
59,400 people have benefitted directly from the QIPs responding to COVID-19.
QIPs that are being implemented and/or completed in education, social services, health, water, electricity and roads & network sectors have reached more than 680,000 beneficiaries of which more than 208,100 are refugees and IDPs.
A second round of QIPs is planned for the next year in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Turkey – Inclusive service delivery through improved local government capacity
In Turkey, Qudra 2 supports Local Government Units (LGUs) to strengthen their capacities to deliver their services in a transparent and inclusive manner. Qudra 2 is providing support to 19 partner municipalities through capacity development, dialogue and Community Support Projects (CSPs) in cooperation with the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (UMT). All supported municipalities have a high ratio of Syrians under Temporary Protection living in their communities.
In the first grant cycle in 2020, 17 different CSPs contributed to improved basic services and social cohesion. At the same time, the capacity of municipalities to respond to basic service needs of their refugee and host community population was strengthened. Community support projects also promote social cohesion in the local community, mainly through skills development courses, including language skills, as well as cultural, arts and sports activities for children and youth, as well as women.
Community support covered a wide range of different services, e.g., related to environmental health, cleaning, and solid waste management. One municipality, for example, built up volunteer fire brigade teams in different remote villages, that are regularly hit by wildfires. Those teams can now act as first responders to ensure the safety of their neighbours. Other projects restored playground and parks, which now invite residents, the young and old alike, for playing, physical exercise and chats.
Four CSPs directly responded to COVID-19 and provided around 270,000 beneficiaries with hygiene kits, awareness-raising materials, trainings, and personal protection materials.
In total, 323,000 beneficiaries are benefitting from improved services including COVID-19 prevention measures through the first grant cycle implemented in Turkey.
Participatory needs assessments are already starting in the Qudra 2 municipalities for a second round of community support projects in 2021.