November 27th, 2018 ― Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society's (QRCS) mission in Lebanon has completed a community-based project to enhance the sanitation services at four Syrian refugee camps in Joub Jannine, the capital of West Beqaa.
The project is supported by Elrha's Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) programme, a grant-making facility supporting organizations and individuals to identify, nurture, and share innovative and scalable solutions to the most pressing challenges facing effective humanitarian assistance. HIF is funded by aid from the UK Government's Department for International Development (DFID).
Over the past six months, the toilets at the target camps were improved cleaned, maintained, and equipped based on the recommendations and needs of their end users.
"The value of the project goes far beyond the physical adjustments to the camp toilets, said Omar Katerji, head of QRCS's mission. "The biggest success was not only the exterior and interior modifications to the structures, though important, but rather how such modifications were designed in a manner that reflects the needs of the beneficiaries".
He added, "This model has unveiled huge untapped potential for humanitarian providers, who do not take into account the engagement of the beneficiaries in decision-making, thus denying them the opportunity to give their views about the prototype and subsequent improvements. This results in frustration among the beneficiaries and big losses as the beneficiaries feel reluctant to use the things designed on their behalf".
He highlighted the fact that being close to the beneficiaries requires reconsideration of the safety and security protocols, emergency plans, and the broader humanitarian action methodology. "All our work should be beneficiary oriented.
Safety and security, logistics, procurements, human resources, and financial departments should work in harmony with the program management department in a dynamic rapid intervention system, with a well-controlled workflow timeframe and department-specific key performance indicators (KPIs),"
Mr. Katerji noted.
Two advisors from Oxfam GB, a leading UK charity fighting global poverty, visited and evaluated the project. Over three days, they held interviews with Syrian men, women, and children; each camp's security officer; and QRCS's project team. "Usually, humanitarian organizations have to intervene at short notice during emergency to provide life-saving aid and reduce disease risks, paying no attention the desires and needs of the refugees. The joint project of QRCS and HIF, however, serves as a role model in refugee community engagement in order to find out how to make their lives better," said Helen Hawkings, one of the advisors.
Now, the toilets are bigger, cleaner, and lighted. A new 'smart bucket' has been developed to save water. Instead of having to go to the nearby greens, it has become safe for women and kids to use the toilets, even at night.
Most importantly, the new sanitary facilities are special-needs-friendly. "Formerly, going to the toilet was too difficult. No water. No lighting. In the winter, the sewage storage pits would overflow," muttered Farah Al-Hassan, a refugee who lived at a camp for three years now. "Many things have changed after the maintenance works were done as we requested". ##End of Text##
About Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 190 National Societies. QRCS is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
QRCS operates both locally and internationally and has ongoing international relief and development projects in a number of countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. QRCS's humanitarian actions include providing support in disaster preparedness, disaster response, risk reduction, and disaster recovery. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, healthcare, and social development to local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian advocacy front. With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.
QRCS works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.