Voices for Displaced Syrians - COVID-19 and the Displaced Syrians

Voices for Displaced Syrians

VDSF

Voices for

Displaced Syrians

infection among humans and the need for solidarity to combat it. And, share transparent information

and updates related to COVID-19 implications on IDPs and refugees, including measures followed and

results.

أصوات لأجل المهجرين السوريين

Second: The impact of COVID-19 on Local NGOs (LNGOs):

1. An acute drop in access to people in need and weakened ability to provide services for the following

reasons:

Lack of exceptions from the lock down and curfews imposed by the governments of the host

countries: this results in a near complete paralysis of NGO workers ability to reach the

beneficiaries, whether to directly assess their needs or to provide regular assistance.

The increase of number of people in need due to the many negative impacts on society in general

and refugees in particular.

The escalation of needs' severity, yet mostly not measured, especially in the sectors of health,

water and sanitation, livelihoods, protection and education.

The change in nature of need combined with the inflexibility of funding to LNGOs, by the UN, the

INGOs and the Donors, to amend programs.

The lack of funding for and the shortage in availability of protective tools, such as masks and

special clothing, for the LNGOs humanitarian workers.

2. Lack of funding opportunities due to the distraction from refugee needs and the rise of need for local

aid in donor countries.

Recommendations:

Despite of the increased challenges facing LNGOs, in current circumstances they are the most capable and

most suitable to support the efforts to prevent and respond to the consequences of the spread of COVID-

19. LNGOs have qualified staff that are ready to move in the same sites where people in need are. They

are also able to develop and deliver context sensitive programs that contribute to reducing the health,

economic and social costs of the epidemic.

In this regard as well, the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID19¹ has also emphasized the need

for stronger partnerships and increased support for local humanitarian workers and NGOs. Moreover, the

ICVA paper (REINFORCE, REINFORCE, REINFORCE: Localization in the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian

Response)" also explained how supporting LNGOs and strengthening them have become a basic need as

a result of the current circumstances.

In order for LNGOs to overcome the above challenges and efficiently assist local and international

governmental programs in limiting the spread of the epidemic and its impacts on societies, we (in addition

to the other global recommendations to support local action) recommend:

Donors, UN agencies and INGOs: allocate extra funding for programs to:

1) Build the capacity of humanitarian aid workers on the measures to prevent and avoid transmitting

the infection when mixing and dealing with beneficiaries,

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