The Syrian crisis calls for a regional approach

More than 1 million Syrians are according to the UN internally displaced inside Syria, while the regionally registered and unregistered refugee population in the neighboring countries is approaching 300.000. The protracted and escalating conflict in Syria is calling for a humanitarian assistance based on needs irrespective of where the most vulnerable have sought shelter.

"There are a number of risk factors involved in providing humanitarian assistance inside Syria, but it is where the majority of the conflict affected civilian are, and despite the complex and fluid security situation we are able to distribute large-scale assistance needed in Damascus, Homs and Deraa,” says Andreas Kamm, General Secretary of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

The latest development in Syria has triggered an acceleration of the displacement to Northern Lebanon.

“The Danish Refugee Council present throughout the region enabling us to employ a needs- and access-based approach, share expatriate and national staff across the region and quickly replicate best practices – thereby we make sure that the necessary humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable regardless of where they are," says Andreas Kamm.

DRC is giving priority to support of local coping mechanisms to avoid unnecessary secondary displacement and camp solutions.

"We began working in Syria in 2007 when more than one million Iraqis fled in that direction. Five years later the Syrians have begun fleeing to Iraq, "says Andreas Kamm.

DRC is assisting through a regional needs and access based approach, providing protection, emergency food and NFIs, shelter and emergency education interventions.