Project profile — Crisis in Africa - Protection Response in Africa – Oxfam CDA and QC 2024 to 2026

December 2024 – In situations of humanitarian crisis, women and girls often bear the brunt of the impact. This is frequently due to societal norms that deprioritize their needs or to the breakdown of local protection mechanisms increasing their vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence. This is particularly true in situations of conflict or insecurity such as those in Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan. With GAC’s support, Oxfam Canada and Quebec help provide a multi-sectoral humanitarian response to address sexual and gender-based violence within crisis-affected communities in Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan. Project activities include: (1) restoring water points and sanitation facilities, with an eye towards improved safety; (2) providing sexual and reproductive health services; (3) granting unconditional cash to vulnerable households to reduce negative coping strategies; and (4) providing protection services to mitigate the increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) for vulnerable women and girls.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved access to safe water and sanitation facilities; (2) improved access to sexual and reproductive health services; (3) reduced use of negative coping mechanisms to meet basic needs; and (3) reduced incidence of SGBV amongst crisis-affected populations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved, suffering alleviated, and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.

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