202020202020202020202020

prepared for thePeople's Postcode Lottery

IMPACTREPORT2020

A 'Peace Market' setup with support fromCentre RésolutionConflits in the village ofKilya, DR Congo.

by Dylan MathewsForeword

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The last twelve months have been challengingfor our team and our partners. A globalpandemic, calls for racial justice, and risinglevels of violence and unrest in Mali, Lebanon,Ethiopia and elsewhere, all combined to make2020 a year like no other. Peace wasthreatened around the world, and the work oflocal peacebuilders was needed more thanever.

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Dylan MathewsChief Executive, Peace Direct

Our partner: Envision ZimbabweWomen’s Trust training 90 policeofficers on non-violence and COVID-19protection (see more on page 5).In DR Congo, 140 children affected byconflict went back to school (page 11). We worked with partners in Nigeria tobring together 180 young people fromdiverse backgrounds through sports,and deliver vocational training to 145young people (page 9).

I’m proud our partnership with thePeople’s Postcode Lottery has continuedinto its third year. In 2020, we focussed onresponding to the global health crisis;supporting our partners to adapt theirwork, bringing communities togethervirtually, and shining a spotlight ongrassroots peacebuilders.

In this report we share what we achievedin 2020. Thanks to the continued supportfrom People’s Postcode Lottery, weworked with partners in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo, Nigeria andZimbabwe. We were also able to boost theorganisational capacity of both PeaceDirect and our African partners. Yoursupport meant we were able to support2,056 people directly, and our extendedimpact reached even more.

Highlights I’m particularly proud of are:

Crises exacerbate inequalities andviolence. But our work shows us thateven through the most challenging ofcircumstances, local people andcommunities kown how to capitalise onopportunities for change and rebuildingto deliver renewed hope.

The global pandemic underscored theimportance of bringing people togetherfor peace, and supporting communitiesaffected by war and violence to buildback better. And build back stronger.

Despite the impact COVID-19 poses tocivil society and our collective ability torespond to conflict, we are resolute incontinuing support for thosecommunities around the world who aremost affected. Your support, and that ofthousands of People’s Postcode Lotteryplayers, gives us the strength and hopeto continue our important missiontowards peace.

With gratitude,

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LIGHTS

LIGHTS

2,056people directly supported by ourpartners

2020Highlights

140child mineworkersreturned toschool

420people in DRCongo receivedtraining on childrights andeducation

committees setup in Zimbabweto resolveconflict at waterpoints

58children in DR Congohelped withmental healthand counselling

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180young people inNigeria tookpart in ‘Sportsfor Peace’

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young people inNigeria tookpart in PeaceClubs.

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How People'sPostcode Lotterysupported our work

Transformingcommunity life in Zimbabwe

A community inHurungwe, northernZimbabwe, whereEnvision Women'sTrust supportpeacebuilding.

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In Zimbabwe, our partners have continued their work inspite of the challenging environment for civil societyorganisations. Working with the police, they have beenhelping to reduce violence and increase awareness aboutCOVID-19, as well as developing ways to resolve conflictover resources.

Training on non-violence> Envision Zimbabwe Women’sTrust

During the pandemic, the use ofviolence by security forces waswidespread. In response, EnvisionZimbabwe trained police officers inconflict and violence transformation. The training aimed at changingattitudes towards violence use inenforcing lockdowns and COVID-19restrictions. Participants learnedabout conflict analysis, negotiationand mediation.

Raising awareness of COVID-19

Despite the challenges of social distancingand isolation, Envision Zimbabwe providedtraining on COVID-19 for 90 police officersacross three provinces. Before the training,most officers’ understanding of the viruswas poor and rumours spreading falseinformation were rampant. Envision’straining busted myths about the virus andincreased understanding on theimportance of sharing the correctinformation on COVID-19 with members ofthe public in a non-violent way.

When asked before and after the training,100% of the participants intervieweddemonstrated that they had increasedtheir knowledge of COVID-19. One femalepolice officer, who has been in the servicefor 10 years, shared her experience:

“I have learnt to encourage peoplepolitely to adhere to regulations thatprevent the spread of the disease bysharing the information I received. As anofficer I was ready to use force on peoplebeing reckless, but I have noticed thatgenerally people have wrong beliefs thatit is just like the normal flu and when wetake our time as police to explain what itis people will listen."

“I am a 29-year-old male police officer.The course in Conflict Managementcame at the right time when thecountry was under lockdown andrestriction of movement due to theCOVID-19 pandemic…I have been ableto address public transport drivers andtheir conductors to adhere to COVID-19 regulations. Previously we wouldjust approach these drivers and arrestthem or they would speed away,dangerously risking the lives ofpassengers. There has always beentensions between these public driversand us the police, the conflicttransformation skills are helping us toexercise nonviolent approaches to dealwith such situations.”

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Resolving water disputes> Centre for Conflict Managementand Transformation

Recent droughts and water shortagesmean that wells and other water pointshave become hubs of violence, politicalarguments and corruption.

In 2020, the Centre for ConflictManagement and Transformation (CCMT)worked with the authorities to preventconflict over water. They set-up sixplatforms, where elected communityrepresentatives came together to workclosely with communities in diffusingtensions around water points.

‘Controlling’ water barons were replacedwith six new Water Point Committees.These committees include a rich diversityof people from all political parties,women, youth and disabled people. Thecommittees focus on equal access towater for different groups and CCMThave been successful in creating greatercommunity cohesion, improvingrelationships and reducing violence overresources.

"My name is Panashe Mukahadira. I am24 years old and I am a member of theMatombo 10 Water Point Committeein Epworth. There were severalincidents of violent clashes at thesewater points as different politicalgroups tried to access and control thewater points. Water points hadbecome hubs for violence and politicalcontestations. We knew we were introuble...We approached CCMT forhelp. CCMT asked us what we neededand we told them that we wantedpeace, order and equal access to waterby everyone at our water point.

Now, we have sanity at our waterpoints. Political party representatives,women, youths and persons withdisabilities all work together in ourCommittee. In fact, our Committee hasbecome an epitome of communitysocial cohesion, political tolerance,inclusion and respect. We are excitedto see people that never used to seeeye to eye now working together inthe Committee. People from differentpolitical parties now work together inthe water point committees and theirrelationships have become very, verystrong, thanks to CCMT for bringingsanity to our water points.”

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Bringingcommunitiestogether in Nigeria

A football trainingsession in Minjibir,Kano, organised as partof Peace InitiativeNetwork's 'Sport forPeace' programme.

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Since 1991, clashes between Christians andMuslims in Kano, north-west Nigeria havebeen ongoing and have left a legacy ofdivided communities.

Peace Clubs> Peace Initiative Network

“Peace Clubs” continued this year –bringing together 120 young Christiansand Muslims for leadership training,peacebuilding, and communitydevelopment. They met every month todiscuss local peacebuilding initiativesand to build a mutual understandingwith one another. As a result, PINshared that they have witnessedchanges in behaviour amongparticipants. Friendships have beenestablished and acceptance of culturaland religious differences amongparticipants has increased. PIN adaptedtheir work quickly during thepandemic; producing and distributingover 2,000 face masks to variouscommunities in Kano and Minjibirfollowing the monthly “Peace Club”meetings.

Sports for peace

PIN also continued their “Sport forPeace” work in 2020. In three towns,10 local football, para-football andhandball clubs met monthly,supporting 180 young people andbringing over 350 spectators andsupporters together. At the start ofeach sports event, the PIN teamshare messages on peacefulcoexistence, leadership, dialogue,religious tolerance, and othercommunity issues. As well as givingyoung people an alternative tojoining violent groups, PIN’s clubsare creating a space for tolerance,unity and peace. The organisation ishelping young people to becomeagents of social change, with sportas the starting point.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS protests - calling for anend to police brutality - have made efforts to build peace evenmore important. Our partners, Peace Initiative Network (PIN),continued to bridge divides between groups, bringing peopletogether and working with young people and community groupsin the Kano area. This year they supported 505 people.

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Rebuilding lives and communities in DR Congo

A co-operative projectclose to the village ofIrango, a communitysupported by CentreRésolution Conflits.

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In DR Congo, violence increased in the east ofthe country in 2020, where more than 1.2million people have been displaced duringtwo years of conflict.

Of those, 86% said they feel better;and all the children who wereinterviewed reported no longerfeeling stigmatised in theircommunity.

To bring the wider community intoefforts to support child soldiers toreintegrate, CRC provided training to120 adults in 2020 on child protectionand conflict prevention. This workwas part of their RECOPEcommittee, a group set up for theprotection of children.

The committee now includes 40members, and in 2020 theysupported 45 families of childrenrecently escaped from armedgroups. The group was successful inbringing about the release of 11children from an armed group. Thenetwork’s efforts are becomingincreasingly recognised - theBaswanga authorities are asking forcalling for other projects to supportchildren leaving armed groups, andby community leaders and membersof RECOPE.

Supporting child soldiers> Centre Résolution Conflits

Our partners continued to providesupport to former child soldiers. 42young people received vocationaltraining in trades such as tailoring,hairdressing, mechanics and farming.83% (35) are now experiencing increasedincome and are able to provide for theirfamilies. CRC’s work has also reduced therate of return to armed groups forchildren at risk. Of those who weresupported in 2020, 96% said they nolonger feel stigmatised, wouldn’t returnto armed groups, and would activelydiscourage their friends from doing so.

"I am proud to sell chairs, it makespeople respect me because I setthe price as I want. At the moment Isupport my family by providingdaily meals," a carpentry trainee.

Rising ethnic tensions, deep community mistrust and violentattacks has meant that containing the spread of COVID-19 hasbeen really tough. This year, our partner Centre Résolution Conflits(CRC) helped 722 people in DRC by providing educational andeconomic opportunities for communities affected by violentconflict.

22 former child soldiers who hadwitnessed or participated in armedviolence received phycological support.

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CRC has provided 58 children withpsychological support and counsellingin 2020. Although the recovery for thechildren who are affected can takemany years, after 10 months ofpsychological care, CRC reported that46 children are already showingimprovements.

Improving women's livelihoods

In many mines, women traditionallytake on roles that involve working withmercury, meaning their health and theenvironment are put at risk.

As part of their efforts to removemercury from the mining process, CRChosted a consultation with 200 womento discuss its harmful effects. Thewomen then participated in trainingon different ways to earn a living.Through this, they set up their ownrestaurants, money transfer shops andsewing workshops. They also hadtraining on financial management andreceived a business start-up kit. 189(95%) of these women are alreadyusing their skills to earn an incomeindependently.

Protecting child's rights> Centre Résolution Conflits

CRC sought to combat child labour ingold mines, promote respect forchildren’s rights, and provide womenwith opportunities to earn their ownlivelihoods through miningcooperatives. This year, the projecthelped 140 former child mine workers,including 86 girls, to go back to schooland receive an education. Theorganisation provided the childrenwith school uniforms and paid theirschool fees. One child in Lubero said:

“Ever since I went back to school,everyone is interested in me andasks me for advice when they haveproblems. The situation haschanged completely because allthe other young people in ourcommunity look up to me andinvite me to youth decision-makingmeetings.”

Distress, anxiety, sleep problems andphysical symptoms including rapidbreathing, shaking and palpitationsare common among children whohave witnessed killings and sexualviolence in conflict.

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peacedirect.org

War and violence rage on everyday incountires across the world. Thousands ofinnocent lives are lost, and entirecommunities are torn apart. The hopes andaspirations of generations of people arelost in an instant.

With your support, and the support ofPeople's Postcode Lottery players, we workeveryday to change this.

In partnership with a dynamic network oflocal peacebuilding organisations aroundthe world, we build towards a futurewhere everyone is free from war, to liveand prosper in peace.

Registered charity in England and Wales, number 1123241Registered 501(c)(3) in the US, EIN/Tax ID: #27-4681063.

Front cover image, and photos on pages 8 and 10 by Greg Funnell.

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+44 (0)20 3422 5549info@peacedirect.org

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+1 (202) 734-8053contact@peacedirect.org