UN Workshop on Partnership Strategies Held in Azaz, Syria

IDA hosted the first workshop for partner organizations of United Nations agencies at the Dr. Mohammed Wassim Maaz Hospital in Azaz, northwest Syria. Communication and field media officials from 23 local and international organizations attended, with representatives from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs facilitating the workshop.

The workshop covered various topics, including the visible presence of the United Nations, multimedia, and social media tools specific to the United Nations.

September 2023: Urgent Updates on Syria, Morocco, and Libya

Syria: 26,500+ displaced.
Morocco: 2,497 dead from an earthquake.
Libya: Over 2,000 killed in storms; many missing.

• These figures are not just mere numbers. They represent the echoes of shattered dreams, broken families, and lost futures.

#Syrian families without homes.
#Moroccan lives lost.
#Libyan families still searching.

WORLD LEADERS, CAN YOU HEAR THE CALL? THE WORLD IS WATCHING, WAITING FOR YOUR MOVE.

World Physiotherapy Day

Today, on World Physiotherapy Day, we celebrate incredible achievements like Louay’s inspiring journey. After the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, Louay faced a severe leg injury. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated healthcare professionals, he’s now closer to realizing his dream of running with friends.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the tireless dedication of physical therapy workers worldwide. Your passion and care change lives every day! 💙

Joint Statement by Syrian NGOs and Networks, Including the Independent Doctors Association (IDA)

31 August 2023

We object to the UN’s unilateral consent model for cross-border humanitarian access. We call for a review of the UN’s legal position, the continuity of operations through the Gaziantep hub, maintaining the independence of the Whole of Syria’s humanitarian architecture, and localizing the humanitarian response.

 

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Humanitarian needs in Syria remain at an all-time high, particularly in the aftermath of the earthquakes that have hit the region in February. Cross-border humanitarian operations continue to be a lifeline for more than 4.1 million people in northwest Syria, whose lives are dependent on the aid provided by local and international NGOs and UN agencies.

 

The failure of the UN Security Council to reach an agreement to renew Resolution 2672 greatly threatens the continuation of humanitarian operations in northwest Syria. As UN Secretary-General Gutierrez underscored in his reports, cross-border assistance into northwest Syria is essential to an independent and principled response and is a safeguard against the politicization of humanitarian assistance in Syria. The inability of the Security Council to renew the cross-border resolution due to the Russian veto, coupled with the Syrian regime’s well-documented history of aid obstruction, its politicization, and most recent implications of the consent model, confirm the critical need to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most in northwest Syria. This aid must be delivered in a principled and dignified manner without conditions or arbitrary timeframes that threaten the sustainability and effectiveness of humanitarian operations. Here, we reaffirm our position that the United Nations cross-border operations are legal, and do not require the approval of the Security Council or the Syrian regime.

 

The recent agreement between the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, and the Syrian Regime consenting to cross-border aid will lead to catastrophic effects on humanitarian operations in northwest Syria. This new arrangement has shifted the approval of cross-border access via UN Security Council resolutions to one that relies on authorization by the Syrian regime. Under the Syrian regime’s purview, the consent model gives way to arbitrary withdrawal of consent without formal assurances and with a perceived compromise to the sustainability and effectiveness of the humanitarian response. Given the history of various human rights violations perpetrated by the Syrian regime, there is a threat to the principled delivery of humanitarian assistance, and a pronounced threat to humanitarian actors on the ground. By effectively handing over control to the Syrian regime, this arrangement marks a new era of fear, instability, insecurity, and a threat to the future of principled, cross-border assistance.

 

The consent model and its implications put the population of northwest Syria, particularly women and children who account for nearly 80% of those most vulnerable and who rely on humanitarian assistance, at the greatest risk. We must also underscore the alarming nature of this model among the affected population, given the history of indiscriminate attacks to civilians (including aid workers) and civilian infrastructure, including attacks on schools, marketplaces, neighborhoods, hospitals, and clinics by the Syrian regime. This agreement has caused a wave of protests and demonstrations among communities across northwest Syria, who now interpret that their fate lies in the hands of the same regime that once

besieged, forcibly displaced, and violated their basic rights. In light of the fragile and ever-worsening humanitarian situation, there is a need for timely, unhindered, and unconditional access. The involvement of the Syrian regime in the humanitarian response through a consent approach is yet another example of the politicization of humanitarian aid for Syria and leaves cross-border operations susceptible to a breach of humanitarian principles.

 

In addition, this arrangement with the Syrian regime disregards the original impetus for UN Security Council Resolution 2139, which was an unprecedented step of authorizing cross-border operations in Syria. This measure was to protect aid from interference by the Syrian regime and to ensure access to life-saving humanitarian assistance by the civilian population, including those in besieged areas who rely on UN aid and humanitarian convoys. This interference continues to this day, as exemplified by the case of Rukban camp, and as affirmed in the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Resolution 2672.

 

In light of the uncertainty and concerns related around the consent model, the undersigned organizations would like to underscore the following positions:

  • At a fundamental level, we object to the process undertaken by the UN to negotiate cross-border humanitarian access with the regime in a manner where key stakeholders, namely affected communities, were not consulted prior to the unilateral consent model agreed upon. We reaffirm the legal position that humanitarian cross-border access into northwest Syria, and all areas of Syria outside the control of the Syrian regime is legal in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, for all humanitarian actors, including UN agencies, and does not require the approval of the Syrian Regime nor the authorization of the Security Council. International and local NGOs should continue their humanitarian operations based on the needs of the population in Syria. We also call on the UN to review its legal position to allow its agencies to continue their operations on this basis for 2024 and beyond.
  • We stress the importance of keeping the needs and concerns of local communities at the heart of the humanitarian response in northwest Syria. This is central to the notion of accountability to affected populations and community acceptance, particularly in light of the consent model and the protection risks it has created. We call on the UN, donors, and other key stakeholders to ensure the continuity of operations and key functions through the Gaziantep hub for northwest Syria, regardless of the conditions imposed by the consent model.
  • We emphasize the importance of maintaining the independence of the Whole of Syria architecture, and a regional leadership base in Amman. This will preserve the autonomy, independence, and integrity of the northwest Syria response, and will ensure the protection of information of affected populations and Syrian humanitarian workers.
  • We continue to emphasize the need for donors to take concrete steps towards localizing the humanitarian response in Syria through all possible avenues. This includes increasing direct funding to local humanitarian organizations and engaging local actors and communities in coordination, leadership, and development. This should also include local resilience initiatives to reduce aid dependency and ultimately reduce the politicization of aid.
  • We strongly encourage donors to continue funding operations in northwest Syria through modalities that ensure aid reaches the population in a principled and dignified manner. Given the shrinking of funds to Syria for 2024 onwards, there is the need to ensure needs on the ground are met with the most effective and impactful approaches. In the event that UN agencies are unable to continue operations, new modalities should be explored to ensure the continuity of operations through Syrian and international NGOs. This alternative solution should ensure sustainable, long-term planning that guarantees unconditional access and should prioritize the needs of affected communities.

Signatories: NGOs:

  1. Adel and Ehsan
  2. Al Sham Humanitarian Foundation
  3. Alameen For humanitarian support
  4. Al-Bir Humanist Association
  5. All Together
  6. Al-Serraj Organization for Development and Health Care
  7. And Hope Remains
  8. Aryaf Organization
  9. ATAA
  10. Basma for Relief and Development
  11. Big Heart Foundation
  12. BINAA Organization for Development
  13. Bonyan
  14. Cennet Azığı
  15. Education Without Borders – MIDAD
  16. Elaf for Relief and Development
  17. El-Vefa Association for Relief and Development
  18. Foundation of Hamidhayrat
  19. Freedom Jasmine
  20. Hafed Nama
  21. HIHFAD
  22. Himma Youth Association
  23. Horan Foundation – HF
  24. Human Rights Guardians
  25. Humanitarian Relief Association – IYD
  26. Ihsan Relief and Development
  27. Independent Doctors Association -IDA
  28. Insan Charity Organization
  29. International humanitarian relief-IHR
  30. International Relief and Development
  31. Jasmine Association
  32. Justice et Développement Durable
  33. Kareemat Organization
  34. La Tahzan charity
  35. MARS Organization
  36. MedGlobal
  37. Mercy Without Limits
  38. MHO
  39. Molham Volunteering Team
  40. Nasaem Khair Organization
  41. Nexus Action
  42. One Heart

 Networks:

  1. American Relief Coalition for Syria – ARCS
  2. Civil Society Organizations Platform – ULFED
  3. Independent Coordination Mechanism – ICM
  4. Snaa Alathr Network
  5. Syrian Alliance for Volunteer Teams – SAVT
  6. Syrian Networks League – SNL
  7. Syrian NGO Alliance – SNA
  8. Union des Organisations Caritatives en France – UOCF
  9. Union Elaf Union for Relief and development – ELAF
  10. Voices for Displaced Syrians Forum – VDSF
  11. Watan Network
  12. We Can Network
  13. Women Protection Network – WPN

 

 

 

World Humanitarian Day

On, the Independent Doctors Association (IDA) organized a special event in northern Syria. Mr. David Carden, Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, and members from non-governmental and international organizations attended.

 
The event highlighted meaningful stories about dedicated individuals in the humanitarian sector. It also honored those who greatly impacted the lives of Syrians. In addition, there was a workshop and discussion session about caring for humanitarian workers and empowering female workers.

World Humanitarian Day World Humanitarian Day World Humanitarian Day World Humanitarian Day

World Humanitarian Day

World Breastfeeding Week

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health and survival. However, fewer than half of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed.

During World Breastfeeding Week, which occurs in the first week of August each year, the nutrition, health, and community teams at the Independent Doctors Association participated in an international campaign to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding. The campaign carries the slogan, “Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work!”

Throughout the campaign, our staff focused on the role of breast milk, which serves as the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean, and contains antibodies that help prevent many common childhood diseases. Mother’s milk provides the infant with all the energy and nutrients needed during the first months of life. Moreover, it continues to fulfill nearly half or more of the child’s nutritional requirements during the second half of the first year and up to a third during the second year.

Among the vital information regarding breastfeeding is that breastfed children achieve better results in intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese, and have a reduced likelihood of developing diabetes in later years. Additionally, breastfeeding decreases the incidence of breast and ovarian cancer in women who practice it.

 

 

 

Al-Amanous Hospital for Surgery and Internal Diseases in Afrin

Hoping to improve the medical situation and meet the urgent need of the earthquake for a critical health response, the Independent Doctors Association and its partners opened the Al-Amanous Hospital for Surgery and Internal Diseases in Afrin after months of planning and working on it.
The hospital launched with a capacity of 112 beds, equipped with two operating rooms and several departments such as orthopedics, gynecology, and children and outpatient clinics. We look forward to his active role in promoting the health of the region’s residents and meeting their urgent medical needs with efficiency and high quality.