22 \ outline of protection initiatives In response, UNRWA: • • • • • Conducts systematic monitoring and reporting of IHL violations to increase accountability of duty bearers to respect their responsibility under International Law; in particular of hostilities in refugee camps; Facilitates access to livelihood and services and reduced HR violations by increased physical presence, interventions, monitoring, reporting and advocacy in communities affected by the Barrier; Alleviates forced displacement pressures by providing humanitarian assistance; Responds to some of the immediate basic needs created by IHL/HR violations through the provision of cash assistance; Has developed a Crisis Intervention Framework. This initiative contributes to HDG 4 Human rights enjoyed to the fullest extent possible, more specifically to strategic objectives 12 and 13: • • Ensure service delivery meets the protection needs of beneficiaries, including vulnerable groups; Safeguard and advance the rights of Palestinian refugees by promoting respect for Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law. Community Mobilization and Outreach The communities most at-risk of displacement face significant pressures from legal and administrative harassment, violent protests, and regular violence by Settlers and / or by authorities. These chronic stresses reduce the ability of communities and families to cope and resist against displacement. Herding communities in area C of the West Bank, refugee camps, communities living along the Barrier and communities living along settlements have been identified as particularly at risk to armed conflict and displacement. To support communities’ self-protection, UNRWA will conduct the following activities: • • Enhance community capacity to resist forced displacement and cope with the impact of other rights abuses through psycho-social support Legal, communication, advocacy coaching sessions will further encourage communities’ awareness, understanding, leadership and ability to advocate for their rights and ensure the affected populations know how to access services • Debates and discussion around informational documentaries about human rights, minority rights, and Bedouin communities in the Middle East will raise communities’ awareness and belief that they can also mobilise themselves against threats to their traditional way of life This initiative contributes to HDG 4 Human rights enjoyed to the fullest extent possible. more specifically to strategic objectives 12 and 13: • • Ensure service delivery meets the protection needs of beneficiaries, including vulnerable groups. Safeguard and advance the rights of Palestine refugees by promoting respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. Community Mental Health and Family and Child protection Demand for mental health services continues to rise in the West Bank; the number of refugees accessing individual counselling services nearly tripled from 2010 to 2011. Localized studies show increasing rates of social and stress-related mental health disorders among the Palestinian refugee population and a widespread need for psychosocial assistance. Further, in a 2009 participatory needs assessment of psychosocial problems amongst the Palestinian refugee population in the West Bank, participants indicated noticeable increases in cases of family and child violence and abuse. The occupation, coupled with a conservative patriarchal culture, and rising poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity have contributed to a tremendous strain on the traditional roles within Palestinian families and society, and to an integrated system of violence against women, children and vulnerable groups. UNRWA has developed a cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary, community-based family and child protection programme to promote positive mental health and well-being, and .to prevent and respond to domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. To achieve this, UNRWA will continue it efforts to; • • Integrate Mental Health into Primary Health Care and Education services; Strengthen UNRWA staff capacity and internal and external referral mechanisms to detect, manage, and refer common mental disorders and domestic, gender-based, and child abuse, violence, and neglect cases.