Slovenia Allocates 740,000 EUR for Eight ITF Projects
Ljubljana, 20 January 2017 – Ambassador Stanislav Vidovič, Secretary-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Damjan Bergant, ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) Director, signed the seventh out of eight two-year agreements intended for the support the projects of enhancing human security and development in areas affected by armed conflict or other disasters. The Republic of Slovenia will contribute 740,000 EUR in the following two years for the implementation of eight projects.
The Republic of Slovenia established ITF in 1998 and has continued to provide invaluable support to ITF activities ever since, among others through the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Department for International Development Cooperation. In this period, the Republic of Slovenia has contributed over 13,400,000 USD for humanitarian and development projects, implemented by ITF.
The following ITF projects will be implemented with the support of the Republic of Slovenia:
“Enhancing Psychosocial Wellbeing of Children from Ukraine”
Since 2014, ITF has been implementing a project of providing psychosocial support to children affected by traumatic experiences of armed conflict in Ukraine. So far, 240 children received the necessary psychosocial rehabilitation and by the end of 2018 the number of children receiving support will be able to rise to a total of 400.
“The Continuous Medical Rehabilitation of a Victim of Armed Conflict in Ukraine”
The girl, who lost her left leg in 2015 during the war atrocities in Mariupol, Ukraine, has already undergone two phases of medical rehabilitation when she received a bellow-knee prosthesis. However, due to her continuous growth, the rehabilitation requires a sustainable and comprehensive approach in order to enhance her general health and well-being as well as help with the long-term reintegration process. The project is co-financed by the Republic of Ireland.
“Support to Mine Detection Centre (MDC) Polyclinic in Kabul, Afghanistan”
The project, co-financed by United States of America, enables free healthcare support to the population of Kabul, in particular gynaecological, dental, physiotherapeutic as well as psychosocial services, examinations and consultations. Additionally, radiological, laboratory and pharmaceutical services will be ensured. The project specifically focuses on the services aimed at 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”
The project, co-financed by the Republic of Korea and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), is firstly aimed at providing psychosocial support to the children, victims of armed conflict in Gaza Strip. Secondly, it focuses on contributing to the faster and more effective reintegration of victims into the society as well as improving the expertise on comprehensive rehabilitation. Lastly, it targets the improvement of skills of physical medicine and rehabilitation experts.
“Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Risk Education (MRE) for Syrian Refugees in Jordan”
The aim of the project is to raise risk awareness and safety among Syrian refugees in Jordan as well as to minimise the number of possible mine/ERW[1] victims upon returning to their homeland. The program focuses on the realisation of MRE workshops for approximately 12,000 Syrian refugees in primary and secondary schools in the Irbid province as well as for approximately 8,000 Syrian refugees in the Zaatari refugee camp, Mafraq province.
“Medical Rehabilitation of children from Belarus”
In 2015 and 2016, 59 children between the ages of 7 and 14, affected by the nuclear accident in Chernobyl in 1986, received comprehensive medical rehabilitation in Slovenia. In the next two years, additional 60 children will be able to receive respiratory physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and endurance exercises that will improve their health as well as their general well-being.
“Support of ITF Representative Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)”
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, performing the activities 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.
“Integrated Program of Telemedicine and E-Health in Cabo Verde”
With the support of the Republic of Slovenia, 11 telemedicine centres were built between 2012 and 2014 and in 2016, connecting all nine inhabited islands of Cabo Verde. An established and operational national telemedicine and e-health network improves the accessibility and quality of health services, provides regular training for health personnel and reduces health care costs. By enabling teleconsulting, it reduces the number of patient evacuations to one of the two tertiary health-care institutions on the archipelago or even abroad (Portugal). In 2017, ITF is, in cooperation with key project partners and national authorities, planning a comprehensive review of the status of the existing telemedicine program and needs assessment, which will guide the implementation of follow-up activities with the aim of strengthening the health system in Cabo Verde.
[1] Explosive remnants of war.