Integrated Protection Measures for the Wellbeing of Adolescents & GBV Survivors

JASMAR Human Security Organization, in partnership with Plan International Sudan and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), implemented the Integrated Protection Measures for the Wellbeing of Children, Adolescents and Survivors of SGBV in Sudan project in Khor Ajwal IDP Camp and the surrounding host community in Al-Jabalain Locality, White Nile State.

The project aimed to strengthen protection services and support the wellbeing of children, adolescents, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). It focused on improving access to psychosocial support and child-friendly activities, strengthening community-based protection mechanisms, raising awareness of child protection and GBV issues, and providing life-saving support to vulnerable adolescent girls and their families.

Humanitarian Context

Khor Ajwal IDP Camp in Al-Jabalain Locality, White Nile State, hosted approximately 11,525 people (1,768 households) displaced from Blue Nile State following the resurgence of intercommunal conflict in mid-July. In addition, 157 households, comprising approximately 1,240 people displaced from South Kordofan State, settled west of the camp, near the main road and Khor Ajwal village, where they shared limited resources and services with the host community.

Access to essential services remained challenging. Nearby health facilities faced limited capacity to respond to increasing needs due to shortages of medical supplies. Access to safe water was also constrained, with only one functioning water treatment plant operating at limited capacity and unable to meet the needs of both the camp and Khor Ajwal village. As a result, some community members were forced to use untreated water from the River Nile.

Key Achievements

During the project period, 4,366 children and other participants from Khor Ajwal IDP Camp and 4,636 from the host community benefited from activities conducted through the Child-Friendly Spaces and related interventions.

1. Child-Friendly Spaces and Psychosocial Support

• Procured and distributed recreational materials to the two Child-Friendly Spaces in the camp and host community. The materials included balls, storybooks, building blocks, puzzles, board games, skipping ropes, flashcards, stress balls, volleyballs, inflating kits, whistles, chess sets, Ludo games, and sketchbooks.

• Provided essential supplies to both Child-Friendly Spaces, including water pots, plastic cups, plastic mats, counter books, and pens, to support the delivery of daily activities.

2. Child Protection and GBV Awareness

• Conducted 10 awareness sessions on child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) through the Child-Friendly Spaces in Khor Ajwal IDP Camp and the host community, targeting women and girls.

• Produced and displayed banners carrying key messages on child protection and GBV in the two Child-Friendly Spaces and the Mobile Child-Friendly Space.

3. Support to Community-Based Child Protection Networks

• Provided working materials to Community-Based Child Protection Networks (CBCPNs) in Khor Ajwal IDP Camp and the host community. The materials included airtime, stationery, bags, T-shirts, and megaphones to support coordination, daily activities, awareness-raising sessions, and psychosocial support activities.

• Conducted a three-day refresher training in Kosti for 60 CBCPN members from the camp and host community, focusing on child protection, GBV, and safe referral pathways.

4. Consultation and Life-Saving Support for Adolescent Girls

• Conducted consultations with 150 adolescent girls aged 13–18 to identify their priority needs, fears, protection concerns, skills, and available resources. The consultations involved 20 girls from Khor Ajwal IDP Camp and 130 girls displaced from Jabal Addair in South Kordofan and living near the camp.

• Provided life-saving support to the 25 groups based on the priority needs identified by the adolescent girls during the consultations, helping them address the challenges and protection risks associated with displacement.

5. Consultation and Distribution of Dignity and Hygiene Kits

• Conducted consultations with 30 adolescent girls and boys, comprising 22 girls and eight boys, to identify their priority needs and preferences regarding dignity and hygiene kit contents. Focus group discussions were conducted using a structured tool, while ensuring confidentiality and respect for participants' privacy.

• Used the consultation findings to identify commonly used hygiene items, including different types of soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, washing powder, scissors, hair combs, and nail clippers, and to determine the contents of the kits for each target group.

• Procured and distributed 400 kits to IDPs in Khor Ajwal Camp, comprising 320 dignity kits and 80 hygiene kits, based on the needs identified through the consultations.

6. Commemoration of Key Events

• Participated in the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl (IDG) and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence through awareness sessions, drama, and theatre activities to promote protection messages and community awareness.

Impact

The project strengthened access to child protection and psychosocial support activities for children and families in Khor Ajwal IDP Camp and the host community. It enhanced the capacity of community-based protection networks, increased awareness of child protection and GBV issues, and provided adolescent girls with opportunities to express their concerns and identify their priority needs. The provision of life-saving support, dignity kits, and hygiene kits also helped address the immediate needs and protection risks faced by vulnerable displaced girls and their families.