CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (SGBV) AND CHILDREN PROTECTION PROJECT INTENDED TO REFUGEES OF ALI ADDEH AND HOLL HOLL CAMPS AND DJIBOUTI URBAN REFUGEES
Our Ref. : 002/HCR/PRG/08/2014
The Representation of the United Nation High Commissioner for refugees in Djibouti launches a call for expression of interest for the implementation of the SGBV project intended to refugees based camps in Ali Addeh and Holl-Holl and urban refugees in Djibouti during the year 2015.
The purpose of the Call for Expression of Interest is to solicit interest from existing or prospective partners that wish to participate in the Djibouti UNHCR operation and contribute complementary resources (human resources, knowledge, funds, in-kind contributions, supplies and/or equipment) to achieving common objectives.
Title and project identification: Care and maintenance intended to Somali and Eritreans refugees and asylum seekers of Djibouti
Operational Context
Djibouti is a small country located in the East/Horn of Africa region, at the entry point to the Red Sea. It is strategically located on one of the busiest international maritime routes and plays a pivotal role in the international community’s efforts to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The country is also actively engaged, both politically and militarily, in the search for peace and security in Somalia.
The country maintained cordial relationships with its neighboring countries. However, the standstill in the border dispute with Eritrea also remained. Although the situation remained calm at the border between the two countries, the dispute has not found a decisive settlement yet. At the same time, Djibouti, like other countries in the region, has been faced with repeated threats of terrorist attacks which pushed the authorities to tighten security measures in the country. Movements of refugees across the country were subjected to tighter controls and police round-ups conducted in Djibouti town in order to curb illegal migration. Based on the precariousness of the stability in the region and especially in Somalia, this situation will continue to adversely affect refugee protection and will remain an operational challenge.
Brief presentation of the sectorial needs, objectives, intended results and main activities
As in many societies, Somali men were regarded as the family providers. However, the lack of viable livelihood activities and dependency syndrome for agencies support has led them to be involved in extensive consumption of khat which is purchased with the family ration, thus causing fierce domestic violence conflicts inside the families. Abandonment, denial of resources, divorce and issues of child custody are some of the problems occurring in the families. In 2013, some 80% of the cases reported were of domestic violence. Although sensitization on gender equality and empowerment of women has been a major feature in the program, the perception and role of the women as inferior to men have continued to remain. This perception is not only reinforced by men but also women who see it as part of traditions that should be maintained. Although women are represented in various forums, the quality of their participation is still low. Women and girls are still at the bottom of the ladder when it comes to decision making even for issues that affect their lives. Although FGM is punishable by law in Djibouti, a number of refugee families continue to believe that girls need to be circumcised in order to be married. They fear that if uncircumcised girls do not have other baggage such as good education/employment, their chances of getting married are perceived to be reduced. In addition to families upholding this harmful tradition using the pretext of religion interpretation, it has been reported also that some girls have been putting pressure on their parents to circumcise them out of fear for missing an opportunity to be married. Children are said to be sent outside Djibouti to be circumcised and family save resources to facilitate this. Djiboutian law provide measures for punishing perpetrators of SGBV, however the lack of knowledge among law enforcement agencies and the survivors; familiarity and fear of clan or family reprisal; and a lack of protection for the survivors has resulted in a number of survivors not to take legal action or report incidences . Those who report mainly come to seek medical and or material support.
To improve the prevention and response to SGBV cases the following actions need to be implemented:
a. Continuation of activities geared towards enhancing livelihoods in the community, particularly increasing involvement of men in IGA, skills training and literacy program to enable men to be agents of change in the community;
b. Continuation of capacity building of stakeholders ensuring that the SGBV standard operating procedures and applicable laws are adhered to in supporting both the survivors and dealing with perpetrators.
c. Provision of holistic support to survivors, that may including literacy and skills training to support their integration into the community.
Impact Indicator:Extent community is active in SGBV prevention and survivor centered protection (GSP)
Output:Participation of community in SGBV prevention and response enabled and sustained
Performance Indicator:# of men's groups working on SGBV prevention and response
Output:Safe and survivor centered SGBV procedures and coordination mechanisms functional
Performance Indicator: % of SGBV-related partners actively participating in coordination mechanisms
Children face specific protection risks
Objective: Protection of children strengthened
In 2013, there were 117 unaccompanied minors in the camps; all of them were placed under foster care, usually within their own clans as to facilitate their integration and support. Some of these children know the whereabouts of their family members and thus they enjoy the support of the Djibouti Red Cross, i.e. free telephone call to their relatives. Weakness cited in the program included: follow up of the children and their foster parents in the homes were not systematically conducted and documented. In 2013 very few BIA were conducted in the camps. In the education sector, child protection committees in school were established and training on children rights were given aimed at teachers. In urban areas, no program had been initiated by UNHCR and APEF on unaccompanied minors. According to LWF, research conducted in urban areas of Djibouti in 2013 concluded that a number of children from Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea are working and living on the streets. These children face various protection problems putting them at risk of HIV/AIDS, exploitation, abuse and violence. The community lacks awareness on their plight and many of these children don’t have documentation. This means they’re not registered and very often they don’t understand the procedures of seeking asylum, which puts them at a high risk of being forcibly returned. In 2014, UNHCR has included activities to support children and women in urban areas. It is expected that by the end of 2014 some information on the children of concern would be known and a mechanism to support them, including care arrangements, would be put in place.
To improve the sector the following actions needs to be implemented:
To improve the sector the following actions needs to be implemented:
- Set up a mechanism for identification and placement of street children and unaccompanied minors, including BIA developed with the community to ensure their protection and care in urban areas and camps
- Ensure provision of support to extremely vulnerable families and children
- Establish child protection committees in the community and a coordination forum to oversee issues on children.
Impact Indicator: % of children with safe access to community spaces for socializing, play, learning, etc.
% of identified children of concern with specific needs that are assisted
% of UASC for whom a best interest process has been initiated or completed (GSP)
Output:Community based child protection structures established and functioning
Performance Indicator:# of community based committees/groups dedicated to child protection issues
Output:Coordination and partnership mechanisms established and operational
Performance Indicator: Inter-agency coordination mechanism for child protection is established and functioning (yes/no)
Targeted population: As of the end of April 2014, Djibouti hosted 20,504 refugees and 3,794 asylum seekers (total population of concern is 24,298). The refugee population is 95.6% Somalis, 2.6% Ethiopians, 1.7% Eritreans and 0.01% nationals from other countries (Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Burundi, DRC…etc.). The population living in the camps constitute 82.9% (18 023 in Ali-Addeh and 2141 in Holl Holl) and receives a multi-sectoral assistance delivered by UNHCR and its partners. The remaining 4,134 refugees and asylum seekers are living in the urban area of Djibouti town
Period covered: 1st January 2015 au 31 December 2015.
Main country work languages: French and Somali. At the camp, Somali and English are the common languages.
How to apply:
To apply, organisations can use the Response Concept Note, which you can find attached on this page in DOC-format.
The submission can be presented either in French or English and should include below information considered as selection criteria:
Sector expertise and experience: the required specific skills, sector specialists, knowledge and human resources.20pts
Project management: ability to deliver project objectives, accountability mechanisms and sound financial management, taking into account the audit results of the previous UNHCR-funded projects, past performance and the external audit of partners’ financial statements, where applicable. 15pts
Local experience and presence: ongoing program in health, nutrition and reproductive/HIV programs; local knowledge; engaging refugees and other persons of concern; trust from local communities; local presence; partner policy on community relations; complaint mechanisms for persons of concern; self-organized groups of persons of concern; and other factors that would facilitate access to and better understanding of the persons of concern and that would reduce administrative difficulties. 5pts
Contribution of resources: evidenced and documented contribution of resources to the Project in cash or in-kind (e.g. human resources, supplies and/or equipment) by the partner that are presently available (or potentially mobilized by the partner) in order to supplement UNHCR resources. 40pts
Cost effectiveness: level of direct costs and administrative costs imposed on the Project in relation to project deliverables. 10pts
Experience working with UNHCR: global and/or local partnerships including knowledge of UNHCR policies, practices and programs, including an understanding of and ability to work within UNHCR’s funding limitations and associated inherent risks. Partners that have three consecutive qualified audit opinions for UNHCR-funded projects may not be considered. 10pts
NB:
- You will find attached a format of the concept note with key required information of the submission.
- Interested organizations can receive more details if requested and are invited to send the concept.
- Please write in the subject: “Call for expression of interest for the implementation of the SGBV project in Djibouti”
- UNHCR reserves the right to reject any bid that does not meet the submission requirements listed above.
- Deadline : 18 October2014
- Communication of decision to applicant organizations: 15 November 2014.
- Applicant organizations are invited to send the concept note at:
UNHCR Representative Office of Djibouti
24 Route de l’IGAD, Héron
B.P 1885 Djibouti Republic
Email : djbdj@unhcr.org, Tel : (253) 35 22 00, Fax : (253) 35 86 23
