Iran: Handing over NRC projects to local authorities in Qom

Meeting the needs

The projects are in line with NRC’s larger interventions in Iran aiming to improve the living standards, shelter and sanitation capacities of the Afghan refugee population that has been living in urban areas of the country for decades. Through our work in Iran, NRC helps Afghan refugees cope with the struggles of living in long-term displacement.

While both projects were critical to meet the needs of the refugee population, the partnerships that ensued surrounding the construction of the playground made the project a success story to be remembered.

“Any project where the effects can be multiplied by bringing local authorities in is obviously advantageous,” said Australian ambassador to Iran, Mr. Ian Biggs on the sidelines of the meeting. “This is a truly enormous humanitarian responsibility that Iran has taken on and which we are privileged to be able to help with in a small degree.”

Optimistic about future collaboration

Director General of the Iranian Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (BAFIA), Mr. Ramezan-Panahi, also indicated the satisfaction of the local authorities of NRC’s services and efforts in the province, expressing optimism for more collaboration with the organisation in 2017.

“With the expansion of collaborative initiatives and humanitarian schemes, together with NRC, we can turn the individual steps taken for the betterment of the livelihoods of refugees into a bright continuous path; one that will benefit both the refugee population and the host community,” Mr. Ramezani-Panahi underlined.

Collective effort

Further emphasizing on the critical role that constructive collaboration between various stakeholders played as part of the projects, NRC Iran Country Director, Mr. Olivier Vandecasteele said: “These two projects over attained our initial plans. Both areas – home to thousands of vulnerable Afghans - used to be deprived of any infrastructure and services. Through the collective effort of BAFIA, Qom municipality and NRC, we have been able to put hundreds of families on the map and basic urban services such a garbage collection or even street names are finally a reality.”

"The project in Qom sets a very strong precedent in how inclusive NRC aims to work and will be showcased as a good practice for the country,” Mr. Vandecasteele concluded.

Donor visit

The signing ceremony was a part of a larger donor visit, where the delegation from the Australian Embassy visited sites of NRC projects and spoke to the Afghan community members about their needs, hardships and challenges. On the sidelines of visiting project sites, the delegation was also briefed by a range of stakeholders – from the Government, NRC and implementing contractors – on completed and ongoing projects and future aspirations for the province.

Two home visits were also part of the mission, where refugees shared their stories and provided much-needed insight into their livelihoods and needs; insight that will, inevitably, have an impact on future planning of humanitarian projects by NRC.

NRC has been working in Iran since 2012 to strengthen the coping strategies of Afghan refugees residing in the country. We have offices located in Tehran and Kerman, and undertake further activities in the provinces of Semnan, Qom and Alborz. We work to provide education, food security, livelihoods, shelter, water and sanitation facilities and give information, counselling and legal assistance. NRC Iran has been working closely with the government and other stakeholders to address the basic needs of Afghan refugees in the country.