Response strategy:
The humanitarian response in Syria remains a complex operation delivered from within Syria and from neighbouring countries. The large scale of needs, complex displacement patterns and rapidly changing operational environment require dynamic and flexible coordination support and systems to facilitate effective humanitarian response. Numerous Syrian NGOs, international NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement associations and UN agencies provide humanitarian assistance across Syria using a multitude of response modalities. The humanitarian community response is 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. NGOs participate actively through membership in all humanitarian decision-making bodies at technical and strategic level, including through dedicated NGO coordination arrangements.
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 harmonized approach throughout all stages of the Syria HPC and through IM practices, as well as advocacy for humanitarian access in line with humanitarian principles.
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.
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.