Quarterly Report: Integrated Program to Increase Resilience of Vulnerable Populations in Mopti, Gao and Kidal Regions

The program aims to enhance the resilience of vulnerable individuals, households, and communities in the Gao, Mopti, and Kidal regions of Mali. The program is funded by the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance under contract number AID-OFDA-G-14-00098. The program has four main objectives: to increase knowledge and awareness on GBV and Child Protection, to improve access to basic water and sanitation facilities, to increase awareness and knowledge on nutrition issues, and to enhance women's livelihoods through a pilot program of direct support using VSLA methodology and business skills. The program targets a total of 75,268 beneficiaries, including 9,658 for Child Protection, 22,916 for WASH, 7,555 for Nutrition, and 4,815 for Early Recovery and Market Systems. In the reporting period of July 1 to September 30, 2015, the program achieved significant milestones in all four objectives. In Child Protection, 3,304 direct beneficiaries were reached, including 1,466 for Child Protection, 1,806 for GBV, and 52 government and IRC staff. Trainings were conducted on the rights and protection of children, and children's clubs and child protection committees were established. Case management support was provided to 484 children, including 219 girls, who received support through case management. In GBV Prevention, the IRC teams held 35 sessions on GBV prevention, reaching a total of 1,806 people, including 840 women, 628 girls, 181 men, and 157 boys. The IRC teams also trained 52 people on GBV concepts and psychosocial support for survivors. In GBV Response, 14 GBV cases were documented, including 3 cases of psychological violence, 3 cases of physical violence, 1 rape, 3 cases of denial of resources, and 4 cases of forced marriage. In WASH, the program aimed to increase access to basic water and sanitation facilities, promote awareness to control and prevent WASH-related diseases, and promote resilience for future shocks. In Nutrition, the program aimed to increase awareness and knowledge on nutrition issues for communities and authorities. In Early Recovery and Market Systems, the program aimed to enhance women's livelihoods through a pilot program of direct support using VSLA methodology and business skills. The program has made significant progress in all four objectives, with a total of 1,090,641 individuals affected in the target area. The program has also established partnerships with local organizations, including GSAD and CRADE, to implement activities and ensure sustainability. The program will continue to work towards its objectives until the end of the project in December 2015. The program's geographic focus is on the Mopti, Gao, and Kidal regions of Mali, with a duration of 18 months from July 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015. The program's implementation details include the establishment of child protection committees, case management support, GBV prevention and response activities, WASH activities, nutrition awareness and education, and early recovery and market systems activities. The program's timeframes and recommendations will be presented in the final report.