Middle East, North Africa and East Europe Region (MENA-EE) - REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021
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Middle East, North Africa and East Europe Region (MENA-EE) REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021
Contents Introduction 02 MENA-EE at glance 03 Middle East and North Africa 03 Eastern Europe 03 Review of last years’ experiences 05 Lessons learned 06 Strategic objectives 07 A. Reducing the humanitarian impact of conflicts and natural disasters 07 B. Empowering local communities to emerge from poverty and vulnerability 07 C. Mobilising people and funds to support our work 08 Our target group 09 Our focus 09 Cross-cutting themes 10 1. Inclusion (gender, age, disability) and child protection 10 2. Conflict sensitivity 10 3. Climate change 11 Programmes and implementation modalities 12 1. Partnerships with CBOs, local NGOs and donors 12 2. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) 12 3. Human resources 12 4. Advocacy and campaigns 12 Funding requirement 13 MENA-EE countries 14 Cover photo: Education project in Atmah Camps in Idleb, Northern Syria
Introduction
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
The Regional Strategy for 2017-2021 of the Middle
East, North Africa and Eastern Europe (MENA-EE) is
an operational framework that sets out our programme
priorities in the following countries Syria, Iraq, Jordan,
Turkey, Yemen, Lebanon, Tunisia, Kosovo, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Albania and Chechnya.
This document has been developed through a consultative
process with the country directors, heads of programms,
regional desk coordinators, head of region, international
programme director, other relevant colleagues from IR
partner offices and stakeholders in MENA-EE countries
during and after the Regional Strategic Planning Meeting Greenhouse project as part of income generation
held in Istanbul on August 22–26, 2016. As the regional intervention in Tuzla, Bosnia
strategy encompassing diverse regions, it incorporates
and replaces previous strategy documents and regional
programmes.
The Regional Strategy is directly linked to the overarching
IR Global Strategy and, consequently, shares the same
orientations and objectives. It applies a comprehensive
approach, combining both humanitarian and development
instruments to achieve sustainable results.
The document contains two main parts: the first reflects on
the context in terms of key humanitarian and developmental
challenges in the region; and the second presents the
strategic direction for the period 2017-2021.
Psychosocial support session for Syrian refugee
women in Ramtha, Jordan
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 02
MENA-EE at glance
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
Middle East and North Africa From a demographic perspective, the region boasts
a considerable “youth bulge”, with almost 65% of the
population in the MENA region under the age of 30. While
In recent years political instability has been a constant
this presents certain opportunities if quality schools,
feature throughout the region, largely due to Arab Spring
relevant vocational training, employment opportunities,
but also as a direct effect of the Syria crisis. Although
and avenues for political participation are in place, it can
this protracted conflict has primarily affected the lives of
also pose a considerable risk if they are not, with a large
the people in Syria, it has also adversely impacted living
dissatisfied youth population threatening not just economic
conditions in neighbuoring countries, including those of over
growth but democratic political change.
4 million Syrian refugees who have fled to Turkey, Jordan,
Lebanon and Iraq.
Poverty in the MENA is rising at unprecedented levels.
Countries currently experiencing civil conflicts such as Iraq
This displacement of millions of people has strained the
and Syria have more than 15 million displaced people, and
capacity of governments to address the needs of internally
21 per cent of the Iraqi population is currently living on less
displaced persons (IDPs) as in Syria, Iraq and Yemen,
than $2-a-day. In Yemen, the estimated number of people
as well as the capacity of host countries in the region to
living below that poverty line is more than 37 per cent and
accommodate and protect refugees. Rising social tensions
across the region. The list goes on from Syria to Jordan the
between communities has the potential to generate a
situation is getting worse.
secondary conflict in host countries like Jordan and
Lebanon.
Eastern Europe
Social unrest has affected the MENA region and threatens
its long-term perspective. And with high levels of youth Following conflict in the 1990s, several countries in Eastern
unemployment and overall low employment levels, political Europe set out to comprehensively rebuild and reform their
tensions and social instability are expected to rise across economies. The majority of countries in Eastern Europe
the MENA region well into the 2020s. For example, in are going through a difficult economic, social and political
Tunisia the socio-economic situation remains fragile. The transition. This transition has led to an increase in poverty
country is still faced with surprisingly high poverty and and has forced many NGOs to rethink their strategies with
unemployment rates. There are limited opportunities for an increasing focus on livelihood and income generation.
the rural population, youth and women to improve their Today the Balkan countries are still dealing with the
livelihoods and the level of unemployment reaches from 15 transition to healthy market economies. This transition has
to 40 per cent in some governorates of the country. been difficult and, in many countries, very slow.
Albania, for instance, has the lowest standard of living and
Syria, Iraq and Yemen are in civil war, causing untold
the lowest per capita income in all of Europe. Almost one
damage to human lives and physical infrastructure. Fifteen
quarter of the population lives below the poverty level of
million people have fled their homes, many to countries
$2-a-day. Unemployment rates rose as high as 17.9 per
such as Jordan and Lebanon, giving rise to the biggest
cent and youth unemployment rates reached almost 34.2
refugee crisis since the Second World War. The current
per cent in the second quarter of 2015 (World Bank).
turmoil in Yemen has set that country’s development back
decades. Economic prospects in MENA region remain grim. The war in the 1990s caused a dramatic change in the
Bosnian economy. GDP fell 75 per cent and the destruction
of physical infrastructure devastated the economy.
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 03
MENA-EE at glance
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
According to Agencija za statistiku BiH (the Agency for
Statistics) the number of unemployed people in BIH in 2014
totalled 391,856 (12 per cent of the population). Bosnia
and Herzegovina has several levels of political structuring
encompassing Bosniak (Slavic Muslim), Croat and Serb
nationalists. Tensions continues to exist between the three
groups and often provoke political disagreement.
The high level of population growth and extremely young
demographic as well as ethnic and political tensions and
low levels of employment have led to a great need for social
assistance in Kosova. With a rate of 47 per cent, Kosova
Local fundraising campaign in Pristine, Kosovo
has the highest unemployment level in Europe. The growth
of gross income has not led to a significant increase in living
standards nor reduced poverty.
The Chechen Republic is one of the least developed regions
of the Russian Federation and is characterized by the
prevalence of a shadow economy, low investment, high
levels of unemployment and a poor quality of education and
healthcare. Despite recent improvements in the security
environment, a high level of poverty and unemployment
persist, especially in villages (69 per cent). In rural areas
young people account for 60 per cent of all unemployed
people.
Although climate change will affect the all three MENA-EE
geographical locations it has been identified that Eastern
Europe is currently seriously affected and the increased
number of floods has led us to increase our levels of
preparedness so that we can respond more quickly. The EC
has stated that 40 per cent of Europe’s water comes from
the Alps. So, changes in the snow and glacier dynamics,
as well as in precipitation patterns, may lead to water
shortages across Europe. The MENA-EE strategy will set
out our continued support with resource and funding for this
sector. Vocational training for young people
in Chechnya
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 04
Review of last years’
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
experiences
The field offices in MENA-EE region have coped with In 2011 Islamic Relief started its operation in Tunisia by
the ongoing demands outlined. Our work focuses on providing support for more than 15,000 refugees affected
responding to the needs of vulnerable people in Middle by Libya crisis living in camps in both Mednine and
East, North Africa and Eastern Europe region by providing Tataouine governorates. Since then, many projects have
live-saving assistance, sustainable livelihoods, and seasonal been implemented across various sectors including health,
programmes. food security, education and capacity building of local
organisations. Recently, we have launched a livelihood
We have been supporting people affected by the conflict intervention in Kebili to build the capacity of small farmers
in Syria for the past five years with crucial relief and and to finance income generation activities and vocational
rehabilitation programmes in Syria, Iraq, Jordan and training for young people.
Lebanon. We have expanded our intervention to respond to
increasing needs and reached over 8 million people in need In Bosnia, development programmes including vocational
across the region with a total fund exceeding $200 million. training for young people and the construction of health
Humanitarian assistance has been provided for people centres and irrigation systems have been implemented
affected by the crisis inside Syria where more than 150 in addition to microfinance projects. Our work has also
projects have been implemented to respond to the needs included child welfare, Islamic microfinance, fundraising,
of vulnerable and displaced people. Not limited to people shelter for people affected by floods, elderly support,
inside Syria, the response has also reached Syrian refugees firewood provision, school reconstruction, and the
who sought refuge in Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan. distribution of Eid gifts for vulnerable people.
We provided emergency and relief response when northern
Since the start of the crisis in Yemen Islamic Relief has been
Albania was affected by severe floods in 2015. We
one of the most active NGOs responding to the situation on
supplied more than 8,000 people with food, hygiene kits,
the ground. We are also one of the biggest partners of WFP
blankets and mattresses as well as delivering humanitarian
and have a strong relationship with UN agencies working in
assistance for refugees based in Macedonia. In Kosova
Yemen. We have been providing emergency response in 17
sustainable livelihood approaches including the provision
of the 22 governorates effected since March 2015 and have
of microfinance, vocational training and economic
now expanded operations in some of these governorates.
development projects, is vital.
The response has reached over 7.2 million individuals
households, supporting them in food security, health and
Islamic Relief has been reconstructing healthcare facilities
water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Our ongoing nutrition
and education and vocational training centres in Chechnya
project is currently reaching out to 17,000 children who are
as well as supporting training, providing grants for business
acutely malnourished in the priority districts.
start-ups, micro-loans for the poor, and small-scale
agriculture support.
Our work in Iraq spans twelve years. We are one of the
few humanitarian agencies that continued working during
and after the 2003 war. Despite the chronic insecurity we
continue to work on multiple projects based on needs
identified with the Government of Iraq. We have sound Lessons learned
experience of implementing emergency, early recovery,
development and seasonal programmes in the country in The continuing degradation of the humanitarian context,
partnership with communities and government ministries. along with the increasingly protracted nature of the crises,
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 05
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
called for adaptations to our programmes at operational and
managerial level. Key adjustments are listed below.
Programming, projects and partnerships increasingly
have to be of mid- to long-term design and should aim
to enhance the deprived communities in the region.
Good examples in the last three years in Lebanon,
Tunisia and Chechnya helped the community and
showed a development in livelihood and education.
Specialisation needs to be increased, by building the
technical capacity in some sectors based on country-
specific needs.
Food distribution for new IPDs from Mousel
In future, the exchange of experience among countries in Hasan Sham camp, Iraq
in the region must continue on a larger scale compared
with previous years. By deploying local technical staff
to other countries we saw a strong impact on our
response to urgent humanitarian needs. For example,
when staff from Yemen were deployed to Syria and
Iraq.
Food distribution in Taiz, Yemen
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 06
Strategic objectives
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
In line with the future vision for Islamic Relief and our Strengthen the team’s capacity to respond rapidly in
need to respond to current and emerging trends in our any emergency situation.
operating environment we have focused this five-year
Strive to develop expertise in emergency shelter and
MENA-EE strategy on the following strategic goals:
education.
A. Reducing the humanitarian impact of conflicts and
natural disasters Identify and strengthen the capacity of the national
B. Empowering local communities to emerge from poverty partners and local communities working in different
and vulnerability sectors. For example, our Syria team has, for the past
three years, been working through local partners in
C. Mobilising people and funds to support our work
order to reach the most vulnerable communities in
hard-to-reach areas where IR has no access.
A. Reducing the humanitarian B. Empowering local
impact of conflicts and natural communities to emerge from
disasters poverty and vulnerability
Our MENA-EE emergency response effort will focus on
Recurrent food insecurity, limited livelihood options and
responding to crises and will, wherever possible, put in
restricted access to education are the characteristic of
place preparedness measures to respond effectively and
the MENA region. Sustainable development support is
efficiently to emergencies.
critically needed in order to reduce vulnerability, empower
communities to control their own resources and help them
While the Middle East Region will focus its efforts on
lift themselves out of poverty.
responding to the effects of conflict, Eastern Europe and
North Africa will devote their emergency intervention efforts
Empowering local communities and adopting a sustainable
to emergency response as well as enabling communities
approach to programming will be our strategic focus for
to reduce the risks and effects of natural disasters. MENA-
the coming five years. We envisage with stronger support
EE aims to respond to the specific needs of people hit by
longer term programming, especially in the North Africa and
disasters and conflicts.
Eastern Europe regions.
MENA-EE will integrate the role of sector specialists in its
In this strategic theme, our priority focus sectors are food
country resource plans and future programme strategy in
security, livelihood, education, and water and sanitation.
order to deliver effective programmes. We will work with
Sectors of specialisation will be developed on a case-
communities, government bodies, clusters, groups and local
by-case basis since the context among MENA-EE differs
partners to prepare for and respond to humanitarian needs
tremendously between regions.
more effectively.
By the end of the strategy period the following key
By the end of the strategy period the following key
outcomes and objectives will be achieved:
outcomes and objectives will be achieved:
Develop context-specific long-term development/
Respond effectively and efficiently to crisis, building
rehabilitation programms in suitable countries across
on the experience gained in Jordan and Syria where
the region with a focus on sustainable livelihoods,
roster staff were deployed, and in Iraq a disaster
education, food security, and WASH.
preparedness plan was put in place in cooperation with
humanitarian department.
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 07
Strategic objectives
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
Build relationships with various donors in each country Further outreach through faith-based and other community
to attract appropriate funding for such sectors. groups, university graduates, and internship placements
will enable country offices to expand their networks of local
Develop local country team capacity and expertise
support and contributors.
relevant for such sectors and help integrate the
technical expertise with local partners.
By the end of the strategy period the following key
Specialise in relevant livelihood aspects, specifically outcomes and objectives will be achieved:
economic resilience, i.e. microfinance, food security
Explore potential for fundraising in other countries
and livelihood. This should be through an integrated,
through scoping studies in association with our
sustainable approach, respecting various local, cultural
fundraising teams.
and social approaches in each country.
Ensure effective management structures and support
Capture lessons learnt to share good practice. Using
required for dual mandated offices, including training
evidence from our experience we will build a stock of
and development of our fundraising staff and capacity
informative and educational material that we can draw
building of our field offices.
on – especially at field level – and share with others.
We will also document how we contribute to relevant Recruit/train regional technical advisers (e.g. WASH,
SDGs. livelihoods, education).
Consortia work with peer organisations.
C. Mobilising people and funds to
support our work
Over the coming five years, the Islamic Relief aims to
increase the amount of funding received from institutions
and bilateral donors for work in the MENA-EE region. The
funds received from institutional donors are largely for
humanitarian projects. More contribution is needed for more
medium- and long-term sustainable development projects.
New modalities of resourcing our programmes, such as co-
funding and consortia work, will be strengthened.
Country offices will play a critical role in networking
and positioning with donors. Working with fundraising
departments, MENA-EE will strengthen the current domestic
fundraising initiatives in Eastern Europe, adopting similar
but relevant practices in the Middle East and North Africa
field offices. Strategic engagement with IR partner offices in
Europe and North America will also be explored for ways to
engage emerging donors.
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 08
Our target group
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
We will work to reach the most deprived and marginalised We will work with other crisis-affected groups, i.e. refugees,
communities. There are many factors that influence whether IDPs, returnees and host communities.
a family is deprived and marginalised, including: income,
poverty, age, gender, geography and disability. Often, it is a A particular focus will be placed on programming for
combination of these factors. vulnerable youth in the region in response to the region’s
demographic youth bulge.
Our focus
Preserve and where possible establish educational services (formal or
EDUCATION AND informal) for school-aged boys and girls. Where applicable, we will develop
VOCATIONAL TRAINING future entrepreneurship and self-employment for vulnerable groups.
SHELTER Strive to provide sustainable livelihoods and more equitable access to
FOOD SECURITY AND
LIVELIHOODS resources.
SHELTER Provide communities affected by conflict and natural disasters with shelter
SHELTER AND NFIS and non-food items to meet their needs.
SHELTER
SHELTER Provide affected communities with safe water, access to sanitation services
WASH and hygiene awareness.
SHELTER
HEALTH Continue supporting health services and providing access to sufficient, safe
AND NUTRITION and adequate nutrition.
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 09Cross-cutting THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) themes 1. Inclusion (gender, age, disability) and child protection Islamic Relief programmes will continue to mainstream and strengthen its inclusive approach to delivering assistance to people in need within the region, especially within the Syria and Yemen conflicts. Issues of gender, age, disability and child protection are considered throughout the programme cycle to ensure projects are accessible to all. In the coming five years, further attention will be placed on ensuring that assessments adequately consider the needs of all beneficiaries. Project design and budgeting should include Rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities specific HR and technical resources to ensure inclusion of in Bekaa, Lebanon all members of the target population. Country office focal points will liaise with programme quality advisors to update their knowledge on technical standards and approaches. They will also be responsible for sharing this with the teams, delivering trainings to our local partners, and sharing examples of good practice within the region. As in the previous strategy, in addition to mainstreaming, specific projects will be designed to reach groups at risk of exclusion including people with physical and/or mental disabilities, women, girls and the elderly as part of our commitment to “leave no one behind” which is rooted in Islamic Relief’s values of social justice and excellence. 2. Conflict sensitivity All the countries in which Islamic Relief operates in the MENA-EE region are affected by conflict and post-conflict dynamics. Over the next five years we will continue to develop skills, awareness and technical approaches to ensuring our work is conflict sensitive. Social cohesion is a key factor in countries hosting displaced communities Improving education services project of schools (e.g. Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq) and we will build in south Tunisia on successful pilot projects of recent years to expand our interventions in this area. Support for longer-term programmes and interventions to engage youth are particularly required. REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 10
Cross-cutting
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
themes
Country offices will develop action plans for how they will
increase their conflict sensitivity programming, ensuring
that all staff, volunteers, and local partners are sensitised to
the issues. Where appropriate, country offices will develop
partnerships with NGOs/CBOs working on conflict issues to
enable broader reach of our work in these thematic areas.
3. Climate change
Countries in Eastern Europe have experienced heavy
flooding in recent years which has been locally attributed
Water Well Construction in Porodine, Albania
to climate change. The Middle East - the most water
scarce region in the world - is already enduring increasingly
extreme weather including intense summer temperatures.
Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen and Iraq are all within the top
water stressed countries, with Syria and Tunisia close
behind.
The socio-economic impact resulting from reduced access
to water and decreased crop production is predicted to
include displacement, local conflicts and price inflation,
particularly for food and water. Where appropriate,
programme planning will consider adaptation approaches
in WASH and food security. Support from IR advisors
is required to connect country offices with relevant
organisations and funding opportunities.
Providing hospitals with medical supplies and
equipments in Aleppo city, Syria
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 11Programmes and
THE REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR 2017-2021 (MENA-EE)
implementation modalities
1. Partnerships with CBOs, place. But in others specialists are non-existent. Islamic
Relief needs to recruit and train to ensure the workforce
local NGOs and donors capabilities. Current tools and mechanisms need to be
utilised to capture the lessons learnt, conduct post-project
At the field level, country offices will continue to work
evaluations and translate to more effective and efficient
through local community-based organizations (CBOs)
operations. Programme monitoring has been process and
and local NGOs. Over the next five years, Islamic Relief
output oriented but recently efforts have been made to be
will aim to ensure that 25 per cent of its funds are spent
more result oriented and prioritise impact measurement.
directly through local partners in MENA-EE region. During
Accountability standards will be identified and put to use.
this period country offices will work hand-in-hand, building
local capacities of CBOs and local NGOs, and paving
the way for stronger involvement and ownership within 3. Human resources
their communities. Islamic Relief will build on its working
collaboration with peer organizations and faith-based In the MENA-EE region, Islamic Relief has 700 staff
organizations. members and 500 volunteers and this is increasing with
our growing portfolio. In the coming five years, within our
Islamic Relief will continue to develop the existing and region IR aims to be a competitive employer capable of
strong partnerships already established. We will rigorously attracting and retaining skilled staff who can deliver first-rate
assess new potential donors and look forward to building humanitarian and development work. Core generic training
new relationships. will be given emphasis to enhance the performance of the
field offices. Training of staff will be given priority to ensure
that employees can perform their roles more effectively,
2. Monitoring, Evaluation, creating a highly skilled and experienced workforce. Short
courses that address skill and knowledge gaps will also be
Accountability and Learning addressed. MENA-EE has a regional HR manager based in
(MEAL) Jordan and will achieve the same high level of quality and
functions within our HR departments across the region,
Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) ensuring adequate resources to support this enhancement.
will be given priority during these five years, ensuring IR
country offices capture programme impact and learning,
ensuring the sharing of best practice, and allowing scope 4. Advocacy and campaigns
for exchange of experience and information sharing.
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools already exist with the IR will work at national, regional and international level,
programme quality department. The MENA-EE department joining collective efforts and initiatives to advocate for
will work to develop and enhance these based on the disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Islamic Relief will
context. However, further persistent effort is needed to put join international and national alliances of civil society,
in place accountability standards and a functioning and signing up and campaigning on topics and themes which
effective M&E system that captures lessons and encourages are in line with our core mission and beliefs. The MENA-
innovation. EE department will work in close coordination with our
advocacy team to bridge the gap between the pressing
Specialist staff in this area do not exist in all our field offices. advocacy needs on the ground and the regional and global
There is a designated MEAL coordinator in Turkey, and initiatives being adopted.
some other countries have designated M&E personnel in
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 12Funding requirement
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
TOTAL
80,000,000 90,000,000 105,000,000 120,000,000 140,000,000
USD USD USD USD USD
Funding requirement per sector
Sector 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Education and Vocational Training $8,000,000 $9,000,000 $12,000,000 $15,000,000 $20,000,000
Food security and Livelihoods $45,000,000 $50,000,000 $53,000,000 $60,000,000 $65,000,000
Shelter and NFIs $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $7,000,000 $9,000,000 $11,000,000
WASH $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $8,000,000 $9,000,000 $12,000,000
Health and Nutrition $12,000,000 $13,000,000 $15,000,000 $17,000,000 $20,000,000
Seasonal, Orphans and others $7,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 $12,000,000
Total $80,000,000 $90,000,000 $105,000,000 $120,000,000 $140,000,000
REGIONAL
THE REGIONAL
STRATEGY
STRATEGY
2017-2021
2017-2021
(MENA-EE)
(MENA-EE)
13 18Map of countries within MENA-EE region
Chechnya
Bosnia & Herzegovina Russian Federation
Kosovo
Albania
TURKEY
Tunisia Syria
Lebanon Iraq
Jordan
Yemen
REGIONAL STRATEGY 2017-2021 (MENA-EE) 14Islamic Relief Worldwide 19 Rea Street South Birmingham B5 6LB United Kingdom Tel: +44 121 605 5555 Fax: +44 121 622 5003 irw@irworldwide.org www.islamic-relief.org Registered Charity No. 328158 Registered Company No. 02365572
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