Meeting: Protection Working Group

Download the full statement here

Ayla Qawas and Tshepo Tlhacoane, on 1 April 2026, represented the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) at the Protection Working Group at the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Amman, Jordan.

The Protection Working Group is chaired by UNHCR and the National Council for Family Matters (NCFA) and aims to:

1. 1. Ensure that people are at the center of all actions, and that no one is left behind
   2. Champion the inclusion of refugees in national systems
   3. Forge stronger strategic partnerships and deepen collaboration with developmental actors to bridge humanitarian and developmental efforts, and
   4. Invest in local and national capacities to deliver sustainable protection solutions.

On the agenda for this meeting was a presentation by NCFA, with an update on the National Multi-Sectoral Prevention and Response Plan (NAP) 2026-2030 on child protection and domestic violence against women and girls. This was followed by a presentation by UNHCR on the findings of their Socio-Economic Survey on Refugees in Jordan, which is set to be released later this month. Finally, the meeting contained a discussion on the Working Group’s priorities and modalities.

At a time where funding cuts to the human rights ecosystem have limited people and organizations’ capacity to do their work, ACHRS appreciates such forums which allow relevant actors to pool human and other resources together in order to assist the highest number of beneficiaries. 

ACHRS joined these Working Groups after meeting with the Inter-Agency Coordination Unit of UNHCR, and is also participating in the Working Groups on Education, Economic Empowerment, and the Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence Sub-Working Group, as they align with our priorities. We will continue to work with all relevant actors to progress our individual and collective goals.