Building Synergy Between Civil Society Actors in Sinjar - Workshop

30/09/2024 - Hope Makers Organization for Woman (HMOW), in partnership with Première Urgence Internationale (PUI), hosted the Building Synergy workshop in Dohuk. This workshop brought together civil society actors working in Sinjar to address critical challenges and collaborate on solutions for the Sinjar's recovery and development.

Key Challenges Identified:

- Healthcare Gaps : A severe shortage of healthcare services and medical professionals, especially mental health specialists, was highlighted. Participants stressed that temporary, unsustainable projects further aggravate the situation.

- Infrastructure Deficiencies : Poor infrastructure, including unreliable electricity, water scarcity, and damaged roads, is impeding recovery and daily life.

- Political and Security Issues : The region faces challenges due to administrative duality, political conflicts between local and national governments, and security issues that limit access to certain areas.

- Economic Hardship and Unemployment : The lack of stable employment opportunities, especially for youth, was emphasized, with agriculture and local industries severely affected by poor climate conditions and neglect.

- Social Fragmentation : Political affiliations and the lack of social cohesion among various communities, including returning displaced persons and host communities, were identified as barriers to rebuilding trust.

Priorities Set:

1. Sustainable Infrastructure Projects : Focus on essential projects such as rebuilding homes, improving healthcare services, and providing clean water to ensure long-term stability.

2. Transparent Governance : Establishing transparent local governance that is more accessible to the residents of Sinjar was deemed crucial for progress.

3. Economic Empowerment : Creating sustainable livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and vocational training for youth and women, was prioritized.

4. Mental Health Support : Increasing mental health services and ensuring the proper training of mental health professionals in the region was seen as urgent.

5. Climate Change Adaptation : Addressing the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture and the local environment was listed as a medium-term priority.

Solutions and Recommendations:

- Improved Coordination: Strengthening cooperation between NGOs through regular meetings and creating a service map to track resources and avoid duplication of efforts.

- Advocacy and Capacity Building : Launch advocacy campaigns to demand better governance, transparent decision-making, and more involvement from health authorities in resolving medical staffing shortages.

- Sustainable Project Implementation: A call for long-term project funding that provides lasting benefits and addresses root issues, rather than short-term solutions.

- Youth Employment Initiatives : Develop projects that provide real job opportunities and sustainable income sources for the youth, including re-investing in agriculture and renewable energy projects.

- Enhanced Social Integration: Fostering social cohesion through community awareness programs and recreational centers for families and youth to bridge divides.

The Building Synergy workshop demonstrated the critical need for unified, well-coordinated efforts to address the complex challenges in Sinjar. It concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration, with regular follow-up meetings to ensure progress and sustained development. In line with this, HMOW aims to expand its efforts by offering more workshops and encouraging people to inquire about how to join, fostering greater community involvement and support.