The Syrian crisis has created the world’s largest displacement emergency. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2020) 6.6 million people have been displaced within Syria and 5.6 million Syrian refugees are registered in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Many refugees have been in their host countries for five or more years and a large-scale return of refugees to Syria is unlikely in the short term. Those who return to their homes face the challenge of rebuilding their lives in the context of large-scale destruction of infrastructure and disruption of the social order.
Most refugees, internally displaced people (IDP) and returnees live in host communities; only a small percentage live in dedicated camps. And while host governments and communities have made considerable efforts to support them, the extended duration of the crisis is placing a strain on the local social fabric. Real and perceived competition over access to education, jobs and other basic services is increasing social tensions. Many of those affected by the Syrian and Iraqi crises require specific support to overcome the trauma of displacement.
Qudra 2 follows on from a first phase of the programme (2016-2019) which provided technical assistance to communities and local authorities affected by the Syrian and Iraqi crises, in order to foster social cohesion between refugees and local populations in host communities.
To find out more about the first phase, consult the QUDRA 1 project sheet 
Qudra phase 2 is seeking to mitigate the destabilising effects of the protracted Syrian and Iraqi crises and to better respond to the resilience needs of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDP), returnees and host communities.
To reach this objective, Qudra 2 focuses on four components:
1. Improve education, engagement and protection opportunities for children, youth and other marginalised groups;
2. Enhance employment outcomes and income, particularly for youth and women;
3. Build the capacities of local administrations;
4. Promote social cohesion and dialogue between stakeholders.
Co-funded by the European Union, Germany and Spain, Qudra 2 is implemented by five European cooperation agencies: AECID (Spain), Enabel (Belgium), Expertise France, GIZ (Germany) and Hungarian Interchurch Aid (Hungary).
Expertise France is especially involved in the implementation of activities in Lebanon, in order to provide protection to vulnerable populations through community-based services and to further develop the capacity of the Ministry of Social Affairs and its Social Development Centres.
Lebanon hosts the highest number of displaced persons per capita in the world, including some estimated 1.3 million Syrians. The protracted Syrian crisis has contributed to affecting Lebanon’s social stability and economic growth, causing tensions, poverty and humanitarian needs, while pre-existing development constraints in the country have been exacerbated.
The action of Expertise France in Lebanon aims to reinforce the protection system of the country by supporting the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and improving the level of protection of refugees and host communities.
To do so, activities revolve around two pillars:
1- Strengthening local and national protection systems and service delivery capacities;
2- Promoting protection measures for the self-development and wellbeing of marginalised children and vulnerable adults.
Expertise France works within the framework of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) and MoSA National Plan for the Protection of Women and Children. Its approach is based on civil society participation through partnerships with seven local NGOs recognised for their sectoral expertise and operating method. These partners ensure a targeted response in favour of local communities and refugees.
The programme implementation seeks to target vulnerable people, paying special attention to people at risk and youth. The protection activities will ensure a high level of prevention and protection, increasing individuals’ well-being and capacities to play a positive role in their community. Community engagement and ownership will be promoted throughout the implementation of the action.
To find out more, consult the project’s website
