ITF and Slovenia`s Development Cooperation

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia is among major ITF donors. With regular yearly donations for ITF projects it has contributed more than 12 million EUR out of which over 5 million EUR was contributed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between 2019 and 2020, an additional amount of 1,075,000 EUR is allocated for the following projects:

Enhancing Psychosocial Wellbeing of Children from Ukraine (more information)
Medical Rehabilitation of a Victim of Armed Conflict in Ukraine (more information)
Support to Mine Detection Centre (MDC) Polyclinic in Kabul, Afghanistan (more information)
Psychosocial Support of Victims of Conflict and the Support in the Field of Comprehensive Rehabilitation in Gaza Strip (more information)
Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Risk Education (MRE) for Syrian Refugees in Jordan (more information)
Medical Rehabilitation of Children from Belarus (more information)
Support of ITF Representative Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) (more information)
School and peer mediation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (more information)
Macroeconomic fiscal model for ECOWAS (more information)
Addressing Humanitarian Needs of Internally Displaced People and Communities, Endangered by Explosive Hazards in Northeast Syria (more information).

Click here for more information and insights on Slovenia's Development Cooperation programs.

Enhancing psychosocial wellbeing of children from Ukraine

The so-called Ukrainian crisis with its salient international implications, erupted in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. In spite of the Minsk agreements, attempts to provide a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and a significant reduction of hostilities in certain parts of eastern Ukraine recently, the political and security situation remains uncertain and poses an immediate threat to human safety. These traumatic events cause severe psychological distress and negatively impact the mental health and psychosocial well-being of the most vulnerable group – children.

In order to address the needs of children affected and traumatized by the conflict in Ukraine, ITF is implementing a project for the enhancement of their psychosocial well-being. Since 2014, 321 conflict affected children facing trauma and other psychosomatic disorders have already been included in intensive psychosocial rehabilitation programs at Debeli rtič, Slovenia, and another 80 will be able to receive the necessary support by the end of 2018.

Medical rehabilitation of a victim of armed conflict in Ukraine

The so-called Ukrainian crisis having salient international implications erupted in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. In spite of the Minsk agreements and attempts to provide a peaceful resolution to the conflict, hostilities continue to pose an immediate threat to human security. Although we have in the last few months seen a significant reduction of hostilities in certain parts of eastern Ukraine, the political and security situation still remains uncertain.

At least 10,225 people have so far lost their lives and 24,541 people have been wounded (out of which at least 182 children) in east of Ukraine according to the UNHCHR statistics, while actual numbers are likely to be higher due to severe unexploded ordnance contamination. Humanitarian situation is dire with many people struggling to satisfy the basic needs and with government struggling to provide medical assistance. In an exemplary case, ITF provided aid and physical rehabilitation to a girl who lost her left leg in 2015 during the conflict in Mariupol, Ukraine. As of this year, the girl has undergone three phases of medical rehabilitation and received a regular below-knee prosthesis and a secondary prosthesis to be used in water. However, due to her continuous growth, rehabilitation requires a sustainable and comprehensive approach in order to enhance her general health and well-being. This also helps lay the foundation for the long-term reintegration process. The project, which will continue in 2019, is co-financed by the Republic of Ireland and private donors.

Support to mine detection centre (MDC) polyclinic in Kabul, Afghanistan

In the shadow of never-finished wars, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. 50% of the population lives 1 hour on foot away of the closest medical facility and 37% of the population lives 2 hours away. Based on statistical data, 74% of medical services must be paid for which demonstrates an issue of accessibility. Health issues are often associated with fertility, with an extremely high birth mortality rate. In addition, transmitted diseases account for half of all deaths in Afghanistan.

The project of supporting the MDC Polyclinic in Kabul is co-financed by the United States of America and enables free healthcare support to de-miners and their families as well as the population of Kabul. The care includes physiotherapeutic, psychosocial, gynecological, and dental services as well as examinations and consultations. Additionally, radiological, laboratory and pharmaceutical services will be provided. The project specifically focuses on services for women and children who cannot afford healthcare.

Psychosocial support of victims of conflict and the support in the field of comprehensive rehabilitation in Gaza strip

ITF started its engagement in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in 2009. In cooperation with the University Rehabilitation Institute of the Republic of Slovenia – Soča (URI – Soča), ITF has since been developing and implementing projects that include physical/mental rehabilitation and local/national capacity building in the field of rehabilitation. Between 2009 and 2015, 109 children from Gaza (eleven groups) were rehabilitated at URI – Soča, over 300 children were medically triaged in Gaza by a joint URI/ITF team and 20 local physiotherapists underwent training at URI – Soča.

The current project, co-financed by the Republic of Korea and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), is primarily aimed at providing psychosocial support to children who are victims of armed conflict in Gaza Strip. Secondly, the project focuses on contributing to faster and more effective reintegration of victims into society as well as improving the expertise on comprehensive rehabilitation. Lastly, it aims to improve the skills of experts in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Mine and explosive remnants of war risk education (MRE) for Syrian refugees in Jordan

The latest UNHCR data shows that Jordan is host to 661,997 registered Syrian refugees (about 11,400 less than in the same period one year ago) and that in addition to Turkey, it is the country with the largest number of refugees per capita in the world (89 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants). An indirect consequence of the armed conflicts in Syria is the extensive contamination of the areas with mines, ERW and other unexploded ordnance. ERW contamination is one of the most urgent factors preventing and hindering the safe return of refugees to their home environment. With the recent voluntary repatriation of Syrian refugees, the needs for a safe return are more important than ever.

The aim of the two-year project in 2019 and 2020 was to raise awareness of the risks and dangers of mines/ERW, to promote safe behaviour among a target group of approximately 21,100 Syrian refugees, children and adults, living in Irbid Province, Jordan, and to minimise the number of potential victims of mines/ERW upon returning to their home country. In addition, Syrian refugees also received basic education on preventing the spread of infectious diseases (COVID-19).

Medical rehabilitation of children from Belarus

Chernobyl is infamously marked as the worst nuclear accident in history. The radioactive particles from the explosion in 1986 still present a serious health risk to the lives of many people. Medical estimates suggest up to 4,000 people will die prematurely due to radiation exposure and thousands more still suffer health effects, primarily in today’s Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

ITF, on the basis of agreement between the Governments of Belarus and Slovenia and in cooperation with the Slovenian Red Cross, has been implementing a medical rehabilitation project for 30 Belarusian children aged from 7 to 14 years that have suffered consequences of radiation as a legacy of the 1986 nuclear accident in Chernobyl. Since 2015, 179 children received comprehensive medical rehabilitation in Slovenia through ITF. In the 2019-2020 project period 30 children completed the medical rehabilitation program containing inter alia respiratory physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and a rich educational and social gathering program that improved their health as well as their general well-being.

Support of ITF Representative Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH)

The ITF Representative Office in BIH has been active in-country (BIH) since 1999 by supporting the national mine action strategic goals through implementation of ITF’s mine action humanitarian mission. This mission is executed through a combination of demining, raising mine/UXO contamination awareness, mine/UXO victims' assistance, rehabilitation and national capacities' support. In addition, ITF's activities also include evaluation, monitoring and communication as well as coordination with the donors/embassies and BIH institutions.

School and peer mediation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The peaceful settlement of disputes is key at preventing conflicts on both an international and personal level. The aim of the project is to empower teachers and peers to independently solve conflict situations and thus strengthen tolerance, communication and equality.

In period 2019-2020, ITF continues with the third phase of the project planning a cooperation with 24 elementary schools from the municipalities of Brčko, Gračanica, Tuzla, Doboj, Derventa, Brod, and Mostar. Approximately 70 teachers are planned to participate in the project attending seminars for school mediators and a train-the-trainer program. An overall of 288 pupils is foreseen to be trained for peer mediators.

Macroeconomic fiscal model for ECOWAS

The Macroeconomic Fiscal Model for Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) project, financially supported by the Slovenian Development Cooperation, focuses on strengthening the ECOWAS capacities of the macroeconomic department (Directorate for Economic Policy Analysis) and transferring knowledge to the relevant ministries of the 15 ECOWAS Member States.

Addressing Humanitarian Needs of Internally Displaced People and Communities, Endangered by Explosive Hazards in Northeast Syria

Eight years after the beginning of armed conflict in Syria, humanitarian needs throughout the country remain pressing and very complex. Several years of intense hostilities took over half a million lives, and led to widespread displacement, with more than 6.6 million Syrians estimated to be internally displaced (IPDs). A large majority of IDPs live in informal settlements or in camps with limited access to basic services; in both cases the very basic living conditions are not fulfilled. Almost 12 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance, while 10 million live in communities endangered by explosive remnants of war. The presence of explosive hazards poses a threat to every second resident of Syria, and additionally compounds the already critical humanitarian needs.

With this project, ITF aims to support activities, helping IDPs cope with the harsh winter in a safe and dignified manner. At the same time, ITF's goal with this project is to lay the groundwork for supporting activities that will both raise awareness about the dangers posed by explosive hazards and assist in eliminating these hazards in communities in endangered areas.