Syria crisis - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2012

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) established a Humanitarian Support Unit in Syria in 2008. In the current context OCHA is scaling-up its presence in Syria to more effectively support the strategic and coordinated provision of humanitarian aid through the cluster approach. With CIDA's support OCHA's work in Syria will work to strengthen the United Nations capacity in Syria to address the crisis including through the establishment of more robust humanitarian coordination mechanisms and in defining a coordinated approach with regards to access. OCHA will coordinate United Nations efforts to create an environment more conducive to the protection of civilians and respect of international humanitarian law. In addition OCHA will coordinate humanitarian assessments and support the UN in defining a response strategy and monitor its implementation.

Expected outputs include: improved effectiveness of humanitarian action by international partners through enhanced coordination. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.