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Ethiopia

Ethiopia: towards an integrated interagency response to sexual violence

Most refugee survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) never get an opportunity to take a HIV test, obtain medical treatment or even talk about what they have gone through. They may have difficulties discussing what has happened to them and burst into tears during interviews; others suffer from medical and psychological problems alone and are quietly unwilling to discuss what they have gone through.

Assistance provided to the survivors of SBGV was often piecemeal; those in need of further specialised treatment were not systematically referred to other agencies. Fortunately, this approach is now changing. The movement towards a multi-agency multifaceted response to SBGV officially began in 2005. In December 2005, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) organised a 2-day workshop to promote a common understanding of SGBV. Subsequently, JRS Ethiopia advocacy staff organised internal workshops/ discussions for staff in daily contact with refugees to help raise their awareness of SGBV and to ensure that survivors get the required assistance or/and are referred to where they can get the help they need.

In early 2006, a multi agency taskforce has held regular meetings and an agreement was signed to promote the prevention of SGBV and to provide services to survivors. Appropriate medical and psychological treatment centres and legal agencies were identified and a referral system was established. Given its day-to-day direct contact with refugees, JRS was identified to focus on raising awareness of these issues among refugees and providing limited counselling and psychosocial support. The staff at the centre also undertook the role of referring refugees in need of medical and psychological services to UNHCR and its other implementing partners.

Though not established with the objective of assisting the survivors of SGBV, staff working for the JRS Refugee Community Centre and the Emergency Needs Programmes found themselves in daily contact with the survivors of sexual violence.

The JRS-Emergency Needs Programme caters for asylum seekers who have yet to be admitted to the refugee determinations procedure. JRS staff undertake screening interviews and daily home visits to ascertain the background and current situation of the beneficiaries. Those deemed to be in need, receive (emergency) financial assistance based on their family size. When they are sick, they are also referred to St Raphael health clinic.

In the past, these interviews and home visits have been helpful in identifying survivors of SGBV. Staff working in the programme have noted that more and more beneficiaries, especially of women from the Democratic Republic of Congo, experience various forms of SGBV. Most of the incidents we come across took place in the DRC or in the neighbouring countries after fleeing the DRC and were committed by soldiers. Somali women and girls also represent a particularly vulnerable group to SBGV, especially among those who come from southern Somalia. Consequently, JRS staff pay particular attention when undertaking interviews with women from central African countries and Somalia.

SGBV survivors who have been accepted into the asylum determination process or have been recognised as refugees, are referred to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) or its implementing partner and are provided with medical, psychological and other treatments such as physiotherapy as needed. Those who have yet to be admitted to the refugee determination procedure or whose applications have been rejected are not entitled to such assistance.

When such cases are identified, the programme staff will send them (accompanied by a JRS staff member) to the MMM (Medical Missionaries of Mary) Sisters health centre where they receive HIV, pregnancy and other tests, as well as counselling. The expenses are covered by JRS and our staff escort them and provide translation when necessary. Follow-up advice and emotional support is offered throughout this process. Some financial assistance is also provided when beneficiaries and their families face pressing problems.

Once, a 16-year old Congolese girl came to our office with her baby seeking financial assistance, while filling in forms during an assessment interview I asked her for the names of her baby and her baby's father, she went quiet and then she gave her own father's name. Later as we spoke, she burst out crying. She said that everywhere she goes people ask her who her baby's father is. But she did not know the father; when soldiers attacked her village in Congo, they kidnapped her for days, abused her and released her. Subsequently, she found a group of people leaving Congo and went with them. She had never had any medical tests or treatment until she delivered the baby in Addis Ababa.

The Emergency Needs programme also has a weekly prayer and sharing (pastoral) programme for refugees. We found that prayer and discussion sessions help refugees to identify with, learn from and support each other to deal with hardship and trauma. The programme works closely with churches and parishes in Addis Ababa.

Our other programme, the JRS-Refugee Community Centre, caters for recognised urban refugees who are referred to JRS by UNHCR and the government refugee agency (ARRA). The beneficiaries live in Addis Ababa with a monthly allowance from UNHCR. As well as counselling, child care, library, internet and recreational services available at the Refugee Community Centre, the beneficiaries participate in workshops on HIV/AIDS awareness, family planning and harmful traditional practices.

Although there are a lot of events in Addis Ababa to raise public awareness on these issues, unfortunately refugees are often unable to avail themselves of them as they usually do not understand Amharic, the national language. Therefore to overcome this barrier, this year with UNHCR, JRS is planning to use these workshops to raise awareness among the urban refugees on issues related to SGBV.

There are still gaps in the service provision for the survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence, and given the nature of the crimes against these women maybe there always will be some gaps. But things are changing. These programmes, and the level of cooperation between service providers, mark a positive step in the right direction.

For more information on sexual- and gender-based violence see JRS Servir N. 38