The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) undertook a rapid needs assessment in Nargazliya camp between the 1-2nd March 2017. The needs assessment was carried out using mobile data collection tools and the Kobo Toolbox software. Three members of the NRC carried out the survey using a random sample of 110 families.
This gave a confidence level of 95% and a confidence interval of 10.
According to camp authorities there are 1612 families living in the camp comprising of 8733 individuals. Survey data totaled 356 children (aged 3 -17) amongst the 110 families surveyed. This would indicate a total of 5217 children of school going age in the camp making up 57% of the camps population.
This would seem a little higher than expected.
The main concerns highlighted by the survey were threefold. First the lack of access to education services in the camp, secondly that the clear majority of children have lost over 2 years schooling and thirdly that many of the children are exhibiting changes in behavior which may be as a result of their difficult situation and stressful experiences.
Current Provision of Education Services
For children aged 6-11 roughly half are currently accessing educational services, for the older age group (12-17) this drops to around 35%. A little less than 10% of the 3-5 year old’s attend some sort of education activity. The survey did not go into detail on the types of activities but several NGOs are running temporary learning spaces and child friendly spaces in the camp. There is currently no formal school but one is due to open.
Lost Schooling
85 out of 89 families with school aged children (94%) report that children have missed schooling with the clear majority of those (85% of families) indicating some or all their children have missed school for 2 years or more.
There will need to be a significant effort to reintegrate these children into formal education at an appropriate grade level with support for catch up class and exams.
Psychological Impact on Children
Of the 100 families interview with children, 71 reported a behavioral change. Three areas were highlighted for both boys and girls namely:
1) Crying, sadness, depressed mood, grief,
2) Anti-social (isolating themselves),
3) Unwillingness to go to school.
Schools and education services will need to include a psychosocial component to help children normalize and also identify those children in need of further support.
These three areas are discussed in more detail in the main findings with further data on the perceived risks to children and activities and support parents believe their children need is also analyzed.
Finally, it should be noted that whilst a number of the families are keen to return home once the area is secure it is expected the caseload in the camp could well increase given the substantial displacement currently occurring from western Mosul.
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