Massive new UN funding target must spark international action to save Syrian lives
Coalition of 36 international aid agencies calls on global donors to respond.
16th December 2013. International aid agencies working in six countries to help people affected by the Syrian crisis today call on the international community to dig deep and be generous in responding to the UN’s new Syria and refugee appeals.
The Regional Response Plan (RRP6) and Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP) announced today in Geneva put under the spotlight the enormous need for immediate and substantive aid funding, members of the Syria INGO Regional Forum (SIRF) said today.
The new UN appeal underlines how the humanitarian crisis has deteriorated in recent months, as the total amount sought far exceeds the previous $4.3 billion appeal launched last June. So far, donor response has not matched the scale of the humanitarian crisis. 62 per cent of the previous UN-led appeal has been funded, and while better than the typical response, it is not enough.
SIRF’s Chairperson, Rob Drouen, said: “The last appeal broke the record of being the biggest appeal ever launched in UN history but that is left in the shade by today’s announcement.”
“This money is urgently needed. The UN does not ask for this lightly. Now is the time for donors to step up and make sure that this appeal translates into actual commitments. We are at breaking point, and governments must act now,” added Drouen.
Syrians now comprise the world’s second largest refugee population. There are more than 2.3 million people struggling to survive in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and beyond with that figure expected to rise substantially by the end of 2014. Most have exhausted all their resources. Increasing rental and food costs and medical expenses are driving families into debt, exposing them to health risks and emotional trauma.
The new appeal acknowledges the needs of urban refugees (those not in tented camps), who currently comprise close to 80 per cent of the entire refugee population, and have little or no access to income.
“There are staggering emergency needs, but we must find solutions to meet the requirements of refugee children and families, as well as overburdened host communities. An urgent political solution to the crisis is needed,” said SIRF board member, Dina Morad.
SIRF stresses that the international community has to support development initiatives in the areas of health and education, as well as water and energy supplies – both for refugees and host communities. SIRF welcomes the fact that the new appeal includes the support of host communities. Neighbouring countries have been extremely generous hosts, but their
capacities and resources have been severely strained. “The generosity of host countries in the region must be recognized and commended,” says Morad. “Without their hospitality, the humanitarian impact of the crisis would be even more devastating.”
Even more bleak and expansive is the humanitarian crisis inside Syria, where millions in need of aid are receiving limited or no assistance, and are forced to move multiple times in search of safety. Aid access to much of Syria is limited due to many reasons including constantly shifting lines of control.
SIRF calls on all donors to commit funds to address the growing needs of crisis-affected Syrians wherever they may be. The Forum also urges the international community to ensure that humanitarian access is granted, and that aid is strictly impartial, delivered on the basis of humanitarian principles, and is inclusive of the needs of all groups. These groups include many others affected by the crisis, such as Palestinian and Iraqi populations.
The appeal underscores the urgent need for an end to the crisis. Already, more than 100,000 have lost their lives; at least 7,000 of those killed are children. SIRF calls on all parties to work to find a political solution to the conflict.
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Note to editors
For more information, please contact:
Ned Colt, The International Rescue Committee, Amman: Ned.Colt[at]rescue.org; +962 775 066652
Johanna Mitscherlich, CARE International, Amman: Johanna.Mitscherlich[at]jo.care.org; +962 775 442241
Logan Sullivan, Handicap International, Beirut: off.region[at]hi-emergency.org; +961 793 13907
For interviews, please contact:
Rob Drouen, SIRF Chair and ACF Regional Representative Middle East, Mobile: +962 (0) 775 180672
Dina Morad, SIRF Board Member and Policy Advisor for Mercy Corps: +962 77 606 0085
Sarah Case, SIRF Board Member and IRC Regional Advocacy Officer: +962 775 090799
Gaia van der Esch, SIRF Board Member and ACTED Regional Project Development Manager: +962 796017682
Gareth Richards, Regional Director CARE Middle East and North Africa, Mobile: +20 1223 987 329
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