Disability Rights Syrian Arab Republic Project #33983

Supporting Syrian refugees in Iraq

by Peace Winds America

Project Report | Nov 1, 2022
A Successful End to Project Year Two

By Sarah Maraschky | Communications Associate

Syrian refugee family and newly upgraded shelter

Peace Winds is happy to report a successful end to the second year of our Project for Sustainable Shelters, Livelihoods, and Camp Infrastructures for Syrian Refugees in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq!

Our project year began on September 30, 2021, and since then, our teams in four refugee camps in Erbil and Duhok in northern Iraq have improved the lives of 1,074 Syrian families who were previously living in substandard housing. In Duhok, shelter upgrades included renovations to inadequate kitchens, latrines, and showers. In Erbil, Peace Winds’ project focused on improving accessibility for refugees with disabilities, so shelter upgrades included modifications such as wider doorways, wheelchair-accessible ramps, handrails, and more accessible showers and latrines.

In addition to individual shelter improvements, Peace Winds completed 26 upgrades to public camp spaces in Erbil, making them more accessible to people with disabilities. Modifications included coverings across open drainage channels and walkways, wheelchair-accessible ramps, handrails, and increased seating and signage.

Rather than hiring contractors to perform the construction, Peace Winds’ unique cash-for-work program allows beneficiaries to complete upgrades to their own shelters. This way, refugees are more invested in maintaining their homes in the long term, they earn wages, and they build construction skills that they can use to find future job opportunities and further support their families.

Not only have our employees and beneficiaries completed this project, but we are happy to report that 97 percent of beneficiaries in Duhok and 98 percent of beneficiaries in Erbil are satisfied with the results of the project. Impacts on refugees include an increased sense of safety and well-being as well as improved independence and mobility for persons with disabilities.

This project was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) as well as support from the U.S. Consulate General Erbil and from your donations! Peace Winds would like to thank our donors, our dedicated employees working in the Kurdistan Region, and our partners, Barzani Charity Foundation and UNHCR.

Example of shelter before upgrade

Example of shelter after upgrade

Example of public space before upgrade

Example of public space after upgrade

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Jul 12, 2022
Celebrating World Refugee Day in Iraq

By Sarah Maraschky | Communications Associate

PWA staff members celebrate World Refugee Day

On June 20th, Peace Winds celebrated World Refugee Day, a day to honor the more than 82 million people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to threats such as violence and humanitarian crises. This year, our staff in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) wanted to do something that would have a lasting impact on our Syrian refugee beneficiaries.

Peace Winds staff members kicked things off by volunteering their time to upgrade some of the water and sanitation facilities in the refugee camps where we work in the Duhok region of KR-I. This included maintenance activities for pipes, sinks, and water tanks in several schools, hospitals, and women's centers. The staff members at these facilities were very grateful for the repairs to their water and sanitation systems and sent Peace Winds some thank you videos, which you can check out here.

Peace Winds staff also attended various activities organized by Un Ponte Per (UPP) in the Qushtapa refugee camp in Erbil. Refugees and staff participated in activities such as painting, planting, and concerts to build community and celebrate the day. Additionally, at the events in Erbil and Duhok, Peace Winds set up tables where residents could learn more about our tool service centers. In partnership with the Barzani Charity Foundation, Peace Winds’ tool centers allow refugees to borrow tools for personal projects and household repairs, and they can even take courses on tool usage and safety.

We’re happy to report that the World Refugee Day activities were a success! Our tables were attended by members of UNHCR, the governor’s office, and the Swedish Development Aid Organization (SWEDO), as well as many refugees living in the camps we serve in Erbil and Duhok.

Peace Winds continues to work on upgrades to Syrian refugees families’ shelters and to public infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This includes repairs to substandard structures and renovations that make homes and public areas more accessible to people with disabilities with upgrades such as accessible toilets and showers, handrails, wider doorways, wheelchair ramps, improved signage, and covers over drains and gutters in public walkways.

Thank you to our donors, followers, and to the U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugee, and Migration and the U.S. Consulate General Erbil for funding and supporting our work in Iraq.

Syrian refugee child wins a prize from WRD games

Syrian refugee children participate in WRD games

PWA staff at tool center information booth

Upgraded water taps at school in Duhok

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Mar 19, 2022
A Successful End to 2021 and Start to 2022

By Sarah Maraschky | Communications Associate

PWA beneficiaries use wheelchair ramp

In 2021, Peace Winds upgraded 800 shelters in Duhok, Iraq and more than 500 in Erbil, Iraq, meaning that more than 1,300 Syrian families no longer have to worry about unsafe living conditions or whether they’ll be protected from the elements. Combined with Peace Winds’ 2018-2020 shelter upgrade projects, our teams have now upgraded the homes of 2,900 Syrian refugee families and counting.

Because the 2020-2022 project focuses on adults and children with disabilities, older persons, pregnant women, and other refugees facing barriers to mobility, Peace Winds teams also completed 42 public infrastructure upgrades in Erbil in 2021 so that refugees with disabilities can navigate the camps safely.

This year, Peace Winds will continue to work with beneficiaries in Duhok and Erbil to complete upgrades to an additional 984 shelters as well as 26 upgrades to refugee camp infrastructure. Construction in both governorates has already begun so that beneficiaries can soon begin enjoying their new shelters. So far, the teams in Erbil have distributed the required materials to more than 50 shelters in two camps, and likewise in Duhok, 92 shelter owners have received the materials they need to start construction.

This project is made possible by the support of the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, funding from the U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and from the generous support of our donors and followers. Peace Winds remains committed to improving the lives of refugee families, helping them regain the sense of safety and dignity that everyone deserves.

Shelter construction in Erbil, Iraq

Latrine in Erbil before upgrade

Latrine in Erbil after upgrade

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