Helpdesk Reports
The literature suggests that the effects of social protection initiatives such as cash transfers and vouchers on social cohesion are positive, but there is very little empirical evidence to back this. This review found no research comparing cash transfers and vouchers from the perspective of social cohesion. However, experience of cash transfers in developing countries,… Read more
There are various risks – notably theft, diversion, corruption, security, targeting, misuse by beneficiaries, inflationary effects – associated with cash transfer programmes in fragile contexts. However, the literature indicates that – while different – these are not any greater than those associated with other forms of aid, e.g. vouchers or in-kind goods, and could even… Read more
People with disabilities have been found to ‘form one of the most socially excluded groups in any displaced or conflict-affected community’ (Pearce et al, 2016: 119). They may have difficulty accessing humanitarian assistance programmes, due to a variety of societal, attitudinal, environmental and communication barriers, and are at greater risk of violence than their non-disabled… Read more
The current conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015, has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe. As of March 2017, 18.8 million people are in need of humanitarian support, and 10.3 million are in acute need (Sikurajapathy and Al-Fotih, 2017). Women, men, boys and girls have been affected in different ways by the conflict. This rapid… Read more
The Western Balkans remains a region dominated by patriarchal gender norms. The biggest challenge for improving gender equality is changing the mentality of women and men towards traditional gender roles (Petričević, 2012). The literature consistently identifies social attitudes as a barrier to increasing gender equality. Many people are not aware of women’s rights or gender… Read more
Whilst the provision of psycho-social activities is regularly mentioned in documents referring to the humanitarian response to education, there is a dearth of literature that refers to exactly what these programmes consist of, and how effective they are. There is, however, widespread recognition of the importance of providing psycho-social interventions to counter the impact of… Read more
This annotated bibliography highlights 14 key resources drawn from the studies which underpinned the questions answered in this helpdesk report. Some selection criteria included the source’s relevance to the query, recent publication, contextual relevance and methodology. The sources below are grouped into three sets: those selected based on their relevance to the Syrian context; those… Read more
This report summarises available literature and evidence relating to the above two specific questions. The geographical focus of this research is Syria and neighbouring countries. However, examples of evidence from different contexts are also drawn to inform this review. Education and psychosocial support are purported to have a dynamic and mutually reinforcing relationship. The Education… Read more
This helpdesk report is the concluding report in the query addressing psycho-social interventions in protracted crises with reference to Syria and its neighbouring countries as well as from other fragile and conflict affected states (FACS). This report specifically addresses sports/physical education programmes in and around Syria and its impact. Until recently, arts and sport/physical education… Read more
Most of the evidence concentrates on the nutrition of vulnerable groups – mainly very young children and CBA. The little data available on nutritional status of the elderly is for those living in residential homes. For men, published evidence relates to Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries and is therefore not given here. The report includes… Read more
The term resilience was brought into use by social science disciplines as a counter to discourse on vulnerability (Panter-Brick, 2014). Reducing vulnerability in post-conflict contexts at the household level broadly translates into securing food and livelihoods. This is what this report focuses on. In disaster risk discourse the following definition of resilience is used: the… Read more