Syria Crisis - Improving the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance - OCHA 2017-2019

September 2016 – The Syria Crisis has undermined security and stability in the Middle East and has resulted in unprecedented humanitarian needs. Now in its sixth year the conflict in Syria has led to the worst displacement crisis in the world. Millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) refugees stateless persons and asylum seekers in Syria Iraq Jordan Lebanon Egypt and Turkey are vulnerable to violence food and income insecurity health risks and sexual and gender-based violence. Canada is helping to reduce the vulnerability of millions of crisis-affected people especially women and children through a broad spectrum of humanitarian assistance activities across Syria and in refugee hosting countries. Through GAC’s support the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is contributing to improved humanitarian coordination in Syria. Project activities include: (1) coordinating activities for humanitarian agencies to ensure a needs-based humanitarian response; (2) developing communication tools and increasing surge capacity in areas of high need; (3) supporting clusters in developing monitoring and planning tools; (4) building the emergency response preparedness capacities; and (5) managing joint funding mechanisms.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved coordination communication and surge capacity in the humanitarian response; (2) improved planning and monitoring; (3) increased capacity of emergency response preparedness; and (4) improved use of joint funding mechanisms. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or that are food insecure.