Protecting Civilians in South Sudan Syria and Yemen Through Advocacy

This project catalyzes and drives advocacy campaigns aimed at influencing key international decision makers to support actions that better protect civilians in South Sudan and Syria. The project convenes meetings develops media campaigns and drives coordinated support efforts by civil society and other voices in order to increase public pressure on targeted governments and decision makers to mitigate and resolve conflict. In South Sudan project activities include: (1) encouraging the African Union and East African Intergovernmental Authority (IGAD) to create a regional protection force and establish a hybrid judicial court to prosecute war crimes; (2) working towards ending attacks on South Sudanese civil society organizations; and (3) applying pressure to South Sudanese decision makers aimed at resolving the conflict. In Syria project activities include: (1) supporting civil society advocacy initiatives calling for a meaningful political resolution to the conflict; (2) pushing for an end to indiscriminate attacks on civilians; (3) developing a peace framework; and (4) ensuring increased humanitarian access for civilians. In Yemen the project's advocacy work focuses on preventing or mitigating an attack on the port city of Hodeida through which the bulk of the country’s humanitarian assistance flows and on supporting an inclusive dialogue for peace.

The expected outcomes for this project include the increased ability of civil society voices representing civilian populations to advocate for: (1) increased accountability for the protection of civilians in South Sudan; (2) improved accountability of and transparency from key political and military figures in South Sudan; (3) an alternative framework for peace in South Sudan; (4) a lasting ceasefire in Syria; (5) targeted sanctions against key Syrian military and political figures; (6) improved humanitarian access in Syria (7) a political resolution to the conflict in Syria; and (8) support to advocacy efforts focused on the protection of civilians and an inclusive peace process for Yemen.