Emergency Regional Funding for the Middle East - ICRC Appeals 2019-2021

July 2019 – Humanitarian needs stemming from the crises in Syria and Iraq remain significant throughout the Middle East. Continued violence in Syria raises little prospects for the voluntary safe sustainable and dignified return of over 5.6 million refugees in the region. Internally displaced persons range in the millions in Syria and Iraq and humanitarian needs are acute for refugees facing protracted displacement in Jordan and Lebanon. In line with Grand Bargain commitments GAC is providing flexible regional funding to the ICRC on a multiyear basis for its emergency operations in Syria Iraq Jordan and Lebanon. Regional funding provides the ICRC with the flexibility to allocate funds to acute humanitarian needs that are critically underfunded and provides the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Project activities include: (1) providing medical care access to water and sanitation facilities food assistance and livelihoods support; (2) providing Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies with technical expertise to strengthen their capacity in areas such as promoting international humanitarian law restoring family links and delivering relief in situations of armed conflict and violence; and (3) ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected in the treatment of civilians not taking part in hostilities as well as for detainees.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to protection food assistance health services livelihood support and other essential services to people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence in affected countries; and (2) increased operational capacities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.