Peaceful Change initiative’s Post

On 27 May, during the eighth edition of the Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region' hosted by the European Union, the donor community pledged a total amount of €7.5 billion in support (€5 billion in grants & €2.5 billion in loans). This amount includes € 2.12 billion pledged by the EU itself (for 2024 & 2025), with the total sum pledged by the EU and its Member States amounting to almost €6 million. This strong commitment shows once more the willingness of the EU and the international community to support people affected by the crisis, both in Syria and in neighbouring countries.

I recently had the opportunity to engage in the revision of the EU Guidelines on Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC), which play a crucial role in promoting the protection and well-being of children caught in armed conflicts worldwide. Whenever I get opportunities like this, I always say a small prayer of gratitude because I get the chance to speak for the community I come from and do my best to influence policies in a way that is representative of their actual problems. No matter how little the change is, it goes a long way. However, I’ve been thinking about the people who suffer insane hostility and violence with little or no representation on the global stage. Who is speaking for them in a way that conveys genuine empathy and their specific needs. I’m thinking about my brothers and sisters in the Congo who have been left to suffer unimaginable amount of violence for decades on end, the people of Sudan, Haiti, Caledonia, etc. I come from the south west region of Cameroon and my village in particular was the devil’s n’est of the anglophone crisis at a certain point between 2017 and 2019. I know what this fight has done to my people, some damages are very much irreversible and others will take decades to manage. My niece is still triggered by the sound of revving engines because of how much gunshot sounds she heard at infancy. I don’t take these opportunities lightly. I’m very conscious of the responsibility I carry as someone from a war torn region whose family has been forced to displacement both nationally and internationally. I know that I carry the voice of thousands of people on my shoulders, directly or indirectly. Ideally, there shouldn’t be a need to protect children in regions with armed conflict because armed conflict shouldn’t be a thing in the first place. But societies aren’t ideal so we find ourselves here. What would you say are the most dire needs of children in regions facing armed conflict ??

Syria Early Recovery Strategy 2024- 2028. "This document has been developed through series of consultations at Whole of Syria level, benefiting from contributions, analysis, and proposed language from SSG members and partners across all WOS hubs."

As the crisis unfolds, humanitarian & development partners must prioritize social stability & integrate conflict-sensitive approaches into assessments and monitoring and evaluation exercises. UNDP has developed the “Conflict Sensitivity and Monitoring & Evaluation Toolbox” to provide all partners in Lebanon with: 📌 practical tips for conducting conflict-sensitive M&E 📌 guidance for how to monitor and evaluate the application of conflict sensitivity You can quickly: 📋 Extract the “Monitoring & Evaluation of Conflict Sensitivity Checklist” [p: 31-33] 📝 Extract the “Tools & Indicators” [p: 34-38] Tips in the Conflict Sensitivity & Monitoring & Evaluation Toolbox ➡️https://lnkd.in/edZYPVME

Within the current crisis in Lebanon, working in a conflict-sensitive manner is more important than ever. Key considerations within the current emergency include ensuring close coordination at the local level, applying adequate conflict-sensitive communication, and minimizing the number of assessments to avoid assessment fatigue and raising expectations without providing adequate response. With thanks to Elias Sadkni, Nisreen Jaafar and Verena Gantner, UNDP Lebanon has developed the “Conflict Sensitivity and Monitoring & Evaluation Toolbox” to provide all partners in Lebanon with practical tips for conducting conflict-sensitive M&E within the unique context of Lebanon and guidance on how to monitor and evaluate the application of conflict sensitivity. Please help us share it widely!

💡 Our insights from #PeaceCon2024: conflict sensitivity approaches that work We're excited to share key takeaways from our session with FHI 360, Saferworld and USAID. At this event, our Director of the DRC Conflict Sensitivity Hub, Abdourahamane Malam Saley, presented this groundbreaking work in one of the most rapidly changing conflict contexts. 👉 Here are some of the lessons from 2️⃣ years of collaboration with over 300 local and international humanitarian partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo: 📌 In volatile contexts, where the situation changes rapidly, regular conflict analysis ensures effective support to affected communities and 🙌 positive outcomes of a project. 📌For the very same reason assessing conflict-related risks in every phase of a project and not only at the very beginning is a good practice to follow. 📌Understanding #ConflictSensitivity should be a must for successful project planning and implementation but also a management practice across the💼 organization, too. 📌Tailored training combined with ongoing support brings the ⭐ best results. It's crucial to understand not only the overall context but also the implications for specific fields of activity. 👏 Our targeted programs on conflict sensitivity in emergency aid, water, sanitation and hygiene, or cash transfers have already led to tangible improvements in our partners’ practices and work results. 📌The more donors and partners understand the benefits of conflict sensitivity and prioritise it in their programmes, the better the quality of implementation and project results will be. Would you add anything to this list? Share in the comments!👇 Thank you to Alliance for Peacebuilding and United States Institute of Peace for bringing together brilliant experts from the world of #peacebuilding for insightful discussions on our common challenges and opportunities. #StatusQuoNoMore

🌍💧 In Ethiopia, the aftermath of the 2021 armed conflict in the Amhara region has shown us just how high the cost of rebuilding essential systems and services – like water – can be.   The experience in Ethiopia and so many other regions and countries in conflict – today and in the past – demonstrates the importance of conflict prevention, resolution, and collaboration.   In Kebeles (wards) 033 and 034 in the Amhara region, a collaboration between the government of Ethiopia and SNV, supported by USAID, revived previously devastated water infrastructure and introduced system enhancements. Key to this transformation has been the training of Water Users Associations and local government bodies, empowering them to manage the revived systems effectively and sustainably.   As communities rebuild, we are reminded that cross-border and disciplinary cooperation and support can lead to resilience and recovery.   🔗 Read: https://lnkd.in/daRFiKX5 Together, let's continue to advocate for peace and collaboration, ensuring every community has access to safe drinking water. #WaterForPeace #CommunityResilience #InternationalSupport

Day 2 of the 5-Day Peace Ambassador Program Organized by Servelead Humanitarian Initiative Theme: "One Nigeria, One Voice for Peace" On the second day of the program, we had the privilege of hearing from two distinguished speakers who provided valuable insights into peace and conflict prevention. Session 1: Early Warning and Early Response   Our first speaker, Saka Azimazi, addressed the critical topic of "Early Warning and Early Response." He emphasized that early warning involves gathering information to prevent potential crises. Azimazi highlighted that conflicts often begin subtly, and while some individuals and groups work to instigate crises, others strive to promote peace. He outlined four key elements of early warning systems: 1. Disaster Risk Knowledge 2. Detection 3. Monitoring and Analysis 4. Forecasting, Warning, and Dissemination Azimazi also described various types of early warning systems, including: 1. Mass Notification Systems 2. Wireless Emergency Alerts 3. SMS Text Systems 4. Outdoor Public Warning Systems 5. Colour Code Alerts Each system's advantages were discussed, underscoring their importance in timely and effective crisis prevention. Session 2: Understanding Peace   In the second session, Mr. Igweshi Augustine provided an enlightening presentation on the concept of "Peace." He defined Peace as a state of freedom from disturbance and tranquility, often characterized by the absence of conflict or the resolution of ongoing wars. Augustine introduced two types of peace: Negative Peace: The absence of violence. Positive Peace: The presence of attitudes, institutions, and structures that foster and sustain peaceful societies, as defined by Johan Galtung. The session proved to be exceptionally informative and engaging, contributing significantly to our understanding of both peace and the mechanisms to prevent conflict. #ServeleadHumanitarianInitiative #PeaceBuilding #NigeriaWeWant #OneNigeria #Leadership

🚀 Announcing the launch of Syria in Figures! 📊 I’m thrilled to share that we’ve just released the inaugural issue of Syria in Figures—a new monthly publication that offers data-driven insights into Syria’s ever-evolving political economy. In this first edition, we delve into: 📈 The rising number of Syrian asylum seekers in the EU and the policies driving these trends. 💼 Iran’s diminishing economic footprint in Syria and the hurdles Tehran is facing. 🔗 An analysis of how sanctioned individuals are using family networks to evade restrictions. 🎙️ An exclusive interview with Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident Coordinator for Syria, on the funding crisis, aid diversion, and the looming launch of the Early Recovery Trust Fund. I hope Syria in Figures becomes a go-to resource for policymakers, humanitarian actors, and researchers navigating Syria’s complex landscape. https://lnkd.in/gjvxvpSW

Unlocking the Power of Information Management in Ukraine’s #Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster💪 Charles Hopkins, FSL Cluster Coordinator in #Ukraine 🇺🇦, describes iMMAP Inc.'s #informationanagement as the driving force behind Cluster operations. “It’s like an engine that drives our car in the right direction, empowering our partners to deliver timely and targeted life-saving aid.” 🚚 Since the inception of the Cluster Support Project in 2022, iMMAP Inc. Information Management Officers (IMOs) have furnished the FSL Cluster with a total of 510 IM products 📊, including 45 custom-designed ones. They strengthened coordination within the Cluster's response framework 🙌 and equipped cluster partners with valuable skills through capacity-building sessions 🚀. Learn more about how IM and IMOs have shaped Cluster development in Ukraine: https://ow.ly/wS8950RTRlP IM and capacity-building Support to the Ukraine Crisis Response Clusters is funded by USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. #InformationManagement #FSLCluster #CapacityBuilding #HumanitarianAssistance