International aid to Syria is at a critical juncture, and operationalizing humanitarian principles and securing ceasefires is essential to close coverage gaps and make communities more resilient. Failing to do so will exacerbate the deprivation and oppression that started the war and prolong instability. A CSIS report provides recommendations to overcome these challenges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

International aid to Syria is at a critical juncture, with humanitarian principles and ceasefires crucial for closing coverage gaps and enhancing resilience. Failure to address these challenges will exacerbate the deprivation and oppression that sparked the war, prolonging instability for years to come. This CSIS report, based on extensive interviews with over 130 UN officials, aid workers, negotiators, diplomats, and analysts involved in the aid response, as well as a thorough review of databases, open-source documents, and internal reports and evaluations, provides insights into the obstacles to aid provision in Syria and offers recommendations to overcome them.

International Aid to Syria at an Inflection Point

The humanitarian crisis in Syria has reached a critical stage, with millions of people in need of assistance. International aid is essential to address the ongoing conflict and provide relief to those affected. However, the aid community faces numerous challenges that must be addressed to ensure effective and sustainable aid delivery. One of the primary challenges is the need to operationalize humanitarian principles and secure ceasefires. This will allow the aid community to close gaps in coverage and move toward making communities more resilient. Failing to do so will exacerbate the deprivation and oppression that started the war, prolonging instability far into the future.

To address these challenges, the CSIS report recommends a comprehensive approach that includes the following steps:

• Improving coordination and collaboration among aid agencies and stakeholders.


• Enhancing the capacity of local organizations and communities to respond to humanitarian crises.


• Increasing funding for humanitarian aid.


• Addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as political instability and economic inequality.

The report highlights the importance of humanitarian principles in aid delivery, such as the need to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable populations, provide assistance without discrimination, and ensure the safety and security of aid workers and beneficiaries. It also emphasizes the importance of ceasefires in reducing violence and creating a conducive environment for aid delivery. However, securing ceasefires in Syria has proven to be a challenging task, with multiple parties involved in the conflict and competing interests.

To address this challenge, the report suggests that the international community should work closely with local actors and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive ceasefire agreement that addresses the root causes of the conflict and provides a framework for sustainable peace. This agreement should include provisions for the withdrawal of foreign troops, the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of basic services. It should also include mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance. Additionally, the report suggests that the international community should provide financial and technical support to local organizations and communities to help them implement the ceasefire agreement and rebuild their communities.

In conclusion, international aid to Syria is at a critical juncture. Operationalizing humanitarian principles and securing ceasefires is essential for closing coverage gaps and enhancing resilience. Failure to address these challenges will exacerbate the deprivation and oppression that started the war, prolonging instability far into the future. The CSIS report provides a comprehensive approach to overcoming these challenges and offers recommendations for the international community to support aid delivery in Syria.

Weight: 213g
Dimension: 279 x 219 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538140550