Syria Humanitarian Fund
The Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF) is a country-based pooled fund (CBPF) that mobilizes and channels resources to humanitarian partners to address the most urgent needs of the millions of people affected by the Syria crisis.
The SHF supports targeted multi-sector and integrated life-saving, life-sustaining and resilience-based assistance to the most vulnerable people living in underserved, socio-economically depressed areas with the highest inter-sector severity of needs.
The SHF allocated $30 million in 2024, thanks to the generosity of 18 donors who contributed $53.3 million in funding. In 2024, SHF focused on priority interventions outlined in the HRP to enhance inclusive programming and increase resilience of affected communities. The SHF remains the main source of funding for national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Syria, with 80 per cent of its 2024 allocations apportioned to NGOs.
The SHF launched a $12 million reserve allocation to respond to the influx from Lebanon and to support vulnerable communities. Following the recent change of authorities and the fluidity of the situation, the allocation was cancelled and will be re-directed to emerging pressing needs.
The SHF is aiming to increase funding for national organizations by expanding its pool of eligible partners, continuing to foster partnerships with national and local organizations through ensuring their representation in the SHF advisory board and project review committees, and expanding the availability of trainings.
Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund
The Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund (SCHF) is a CBPF that has the objective of expanding and enabling humanitarian assistance in north-west Syria. The SCHF adapts to evolving challenges in north-west Syria, maintaining its focus on the most at-risk populations despite limited resources.
SCHF was supported by 18 donors in 2024 and received $72.2 million, a notable 52 per cent decrease from 2023. SCHF allocated $66.1 million to address the critical humanitarian needs of 4.2 million people in need in north-west Syria, primarily women and children. The allocations focused on ensuring the continuation of critical lifesaving services while fostering resilience through multisectoral, community-driven approaches to protect and empower populations. They also filled critical gaps in basic services and addressed multisectoral winter-related needs, ensuring lifesaving services for vulnerable groups.
Allocations prioritized localization, with 68 per cent of funding released directly to national NGOs or through subgrants. This promotes and empowers local, inclusive, and innovative initiatives led by community-based organizations, women-led organizations, youth-led organizations, and organizations of PWD. Integral components include capacity-building initiatives and tailored training sessions on protection and community engagement.
With the rapidly changing situation in November 2024, the SCHF advisory board implemented flexibility guidelines, allowing partners to reprogram and top up existing proposals by up to $12 million. This approach addresses the urgent needs of newly displaced and returning populations and allows partners the necessary space to implement rapid and innovative actions.