Response strategy:
Following the change in authorities in Syria in December 2024, the IASC reviewed the structuring of the response including the coordination arrangements, and agreed on a phased transition plan that was rolled out during the first quarter of 2025 and its implementation will be completed by the end of the second quarter. The transition entails, adapting the coordination structure to the changing context, leveraging and right-sizing available resources flexibly from across the system, and amongst others includes the realignment and consolidation of the Syria response previously delivered from both within and neighbouring countries to a single in-country operation led from Damascus. The new structure will consist of; a Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) to guide the response, with membership from humanitarian actors operating across Syria; ISCGs at national and sub-national levels, sectors, and an empowered sub-national architecture in seven hubs each with area-based coordination. At organizational level as part of the transition, Syrian NGOs, international NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement associations and UN agencies are focusing on realigning the multitude of response modalities they used during the last decade to provide humanitarian assistance across Syria. Operations located in Amman/ Jordan, Gaziantep/Turkey and Iraq are being moved inside Syria.
In accordance with IASC guidelines, operational coordination mechanisms will be streamlined to strengthen operations, enhance advocacy, and facilitate safe, secure, and timely access to people in need through the most effective routes. The IASC-mandated coordination structures will work closely with NGO-coordination platforms and assist with reinforcing the capacity of all humanitarian partners. NGOs across all response modalities participate actively through membership in all humanitarian decision-making bodies at technical and strategic level, including through dedicated NGO coordination arrangements.
During the first half of 2025,the ‘Whole-of-Syria’ structure co-led by the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria crisis, who ensure that different response modalities are well articulated and complementary will remain in place to support this realignment process. Until a transition is agreed, the humanitarian response will build on resources across hubs, leveraging the strength of the system in place for Syria, to deliver assistance in an efficient and principled manner.
In line with its global mandate, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) supports humanitarian leadership in ensuring the effective and efficient coordination of the overall humanitarian response in Syria. NGO coordination networks with presence in multiple locations also support coordination efforts. OCHA will continue to support humanitarian actors for more effective sector and inter-sector coordination for all response modalities. This includes seeking a more harmonised approach throughout all stages of the Syria HPC and through IM practices, as well as advocacy for humanitarian access in line with humanitarian principles.
OCHA will maintain a common and in-depth understanding of needs across the country and provide the tools and resources to enhance common and regular situational awareness of humanitarian needs. Coordination partners will facilitate joint and intersectoral assessments, including the MSNA and related analysis of humanitarian needs, support tracking of population movements and ensure that updated, accurate and reliable information on humanitarian needs is available to humanitarian organizations participating in the response.
In response to the priorities of national NGOs, capacity building for and coordination of NGOs will remain critical, as national organizations continue to be among the frontline responders. The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel operating within Syria also remains crucial and a key priority for the sector. The mechanisms for AAP and PSEA by humanitarian actors will continue to be strengthened across all areas of the Syria response. The sector will also include coordination activities by UNRWA specifically, which will ensure that the needs of Palestine Refugees in Syria continue to be reflected in common plans and responded to. The sector will continue to support the secure implementation of humanitarian action.