Project Name: Sustaining GESSI Development and Humanitarian Initiative
Objectives of the Project:
This project aims to identify and provide food stuffs to malnourished persons in the refugee and host communities, reduce the rate of GBV , construction of GBV safe space in Adagom 3 and Ukende Refugee settlements.
Key activities
This project which started since April 2024, we have effectively created awareness and sensitization on the effects of GBV in all host communities and host settlements. We educated the participants (male and female) on violence against women, equality access to women to justice (here we stressed out that women should have equal access to justice), Balance participation to decision making (Women should be involved in decision making as per the family). We touched persons of all age, gender and diversity (AGD) and so far we reached out to over 310men, 340 women and 120 children(boys 22, girls 98).
We conducted nutritional assessments with the collaboration of
healthcare professionals and volunteers. After each educative talk, we
distributed food materials to the identified individuals at risk of malnutrition
and with specific nutritional deficiencies both in the refugee settlements and
also in the host communities. The distribution covered; malnourished children,
Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women, we already touched 210 children, 80
breastfeeding mothers, and 75 pregnant women. Additionally, we reached out to some pertinent cases like that of a child who lost the mother at child birth and some elderly women who really lived in abject poverty.
As per the safe space, at Adagom 3 we raised up a structure where survivors can freely expressed themselves and share their stories, while at Ukende, we acquired a safe space for women. The safe space at Adagom 3 is still upon completion due high cost of building materials but usable for work space.
As per ICT, we bought 5 laptops which has and is of great assistance in the training of refugees in all settlement.
We organized sports and physical activity that is a football match for children for under 15years for both girls and boys. This was to improve their mental health and well-being. This is so particular and useful in providing psycho-social support and helping the children cope with their mental distress caused by some difficult situations they face.
Addressing Gender Based Violence (GBV) among refugees and their host communities requires a comprehensive and sensitive approach. The following are some best practices we learned during the project.