cvdpv2 4 Objective of Education Cluster Ar-Raqqa City Situation Overview 14 HOUSING, LAND AND PROPERTY ( HLP )

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2 6 4 Objective of Education Cluster The need for protection in Conflict areas in ISIS-controlled areas Situation 10 Outbreak cvdpv2 8 Ar-Raqqa City Situation Overview 14 HOUSING, LAND AND PROPERTY ( HLP ) Issued montly by Syria Relief Network Concerned with in humanitarian work in Syria and review the latest developments in the humanitarian work in Syria, according to the humanitarian work sectors. Work between IHL and Counter-Terrorism Laws in 18 Humanitarian Syria

3 Objective of Education Cluster The purpose of the Education Cluster is to ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent and effective humanitarian response in the education sector in Syria. Education Cluster is responsible for identification of needs, gaps and strategic responses. Key Tasks of the Education Cluster Planning and strategy development Develop and regularly update the Education Cluster Work Plan, analyze education needs, response and capacities of its members; develop SOPs to standardize practices among members and contingency planning. Coordination and info sharing Monitoring of 4Ws, identification of new trends and changes in the To become a Member Membership is open to all humanitarian organizations that deliver education activities inside Syria. This includes UN agencies, international and national NGOs and international organizations (for example IOM). The criteria of membership A. Organization registered in Turkey. B. Organization is committed to humanitarian principles C. Implementing, or planning humanitarian situation, review and consolidate assessments, regularly update secondary data. Resource Mobilization Engage in collaborative resource mobilization initiatives at sectoral and inter-sectoral levels; and mobilize donors to fund protection initiatives. Building capacity of Education partners Conduct trainings and to implement in the next 3-months, education activities in And willing to commit to the following: 1. Regularly attending and actively participating in cluster meetings. 2. Submitting timely and accurate monthly 4Ws tables (who, what, where, when). 3. Respecting and adhering to agreed plans, principles, policies, priorities and standards. workshops on EiE and other relevant topics for members; support capacity building in preparedness and contingency planning, work with partners to develop and/ or revise education materials according to best practices and Syrian context and where needed implement relevant joint training sessions Advocacy Advocacy on issues agreed by members such as attacks on education facilities. 4. Participating in, and providing information for, the Humanitarian Program Cycle (Humanitarian Needs Overview, Humanitarian Response Plan, quarterly Periodic Monitoring Reporting, etc.). 5. Agree to being represented by the clusters Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) and coordinators. 6. Commit to the cluster information sharing protocol. 4 5

4 The need for protection in Conflict areas in ISIS-controlled areas Protection needs are expected to be acute across Ar-Raqqa city, reflecting the deterioration of the overall safety, security, human rights situation already reported before the military offensive and reflecting characteristics of all areas under the control of ISIL10. The direct impact of the hostilities has dramatically increased the concern for the protection of civilians, exposed to the effects of urban warfare, in particular intensifying aerial strikes in densely populated areas. The situation for women and children is expected to be particularly severe, as a consequence of prolonged exposure to restrictive and abusive practices. Women are known to have faced an array of restrictions to basic rights and personal freedoms, and have been obliged to observe a variety of conservative mores, with difficulties moving around the city if not accompanied, imposed restrictive dress codes, limitation in their roles and functions in the society. Although some of these restrictions may be expected to be lifted as soon as the areas are regained from the ISIL control, women married to ISIL-affiliated fighters, including foreign fighters, might be subjected to retaliatory action and other forms of discrimination, including in accessing humanitarian assistance, may be stigmatized or isolated from the community as it is 6 currently already observed in IDP sites. Children are at particular risk from explosive hazards, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and targeted recruitment by armed groups. Increasing reports of widespread recruitment and use of children by ISIL are emerging from both Raqqa and Deir-ez-Zor. In this context, the psychosocial situation of the majority of the population, and of children and women in particular, will likely be devastating, with long-term distress adding to the trauma of the hostilities or of the subsequent displacement, requiring immediate PFA and PSS support once the areas become accessible. The effect of protection puts its touches in Hama The local council in the city of Kafr Zeita in the northern villages of Hama developed a complaint fund which is interested in writing the complaints of the people of the city and transferring them to the concerned authorities on 12/ 8/ The mine team of the Civil Defence in Hama demined in Atshan village in the northern Hama countryside. The Civil Defence team also opened an agricultural road to facilitate farmers access to their land in the eastern Hama countryside on 4/ 8/ Training on the Guiding Principles of Internal Displacement Syria Relief network has organized a session in 13 geographical areas inside Syria in the field of protection,the session addressed the Guiding Principles of Internal Displacement and this step is a continuation of the sector's progress in the network,the number of participants in this session was about 150 participants from the local councils and humane in the humanitarian field, These are part of a series of courses organized by the network in the protection sector and aim to raise awareness and build capacity and to introduce and apply protection. It was stated in the allocation paper for the Human Fund Protection: While protection activities are less seasonal as other sectors, it was agreed that it is essential to pursue and scale-up where needed key protection interventions over the winter season, especially in a context where protection activities continue to be significantly underfunded. Further, Northwest Syria continues to receive IDPs and has host communities in need. With more civilians arriving, needs are increasing, compounded by a deterioration and overstretching of services. The types of activities Protection: Provision of family based support of quality and integrated to address vulnerabilities protection services with a related to child labour, family focus on community-based separation, child recruitment approaches, including and child marriage awareness raising, targeted Strengthen existing support to persons with psychosocial support specific protection needs and interventions targeting other community initiatives children and caregivers through community centers through community and outreach mechanisms outreach and safe spaces Child protection: Provision Raise awareness on child of specialized child protection protection concerns, services and enhancement including prevention of 7 Humanitarian response plan 2018 family separation, PSS. GBV: Expansion of inclusive and survivor-centered GBV services through standalone service delivery points such as women and girls safe spaces. The Areas which be covered by the services in the allocation : Aleppo, Idleb, Rural Damascus, Homs and Hama,rural Aleppo, South Rural Idleb, Raqqa,

5 Ar-Raqqa City Situation Overview WASH Since 6 June 2017, conflict aiming to expel the group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has been ongoing across Ar-Raqqa city. Following three and a half months of ground fighting supported by airstrikes, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have taken control of all but a few of Ar-Raqqa city s inner neighbourhoods, recently seizing control of the entirety of the Old City. KEY FINDINGS Since the previous assessment one month ago, departures from Ar- Raqqa city have continued, with KIs estimating that the remaining population has decreased from up to 22,000 persons to a maximum of 8,000 persons. The conflict has led to the depopulation of four more neighbourhoods since the last assessment, leaving just two out of 24 inhabited by civilians (Nahda and Hurriyeh. There have been no recorded returns to the city. Many neighbourhoods are restricted to military access only and are heavily contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. KIs reported that a small number of returns to neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the city may be possible in the next month. 8 Boreholes are the sole source of water, but do not provide sufficient volumes to meet the needs of those who remain in the city. To cope, residents are reducing water consumption and modifying hygiene practices. The available water is of poor quality and has reportedly led to sickness. Repairs to the water network are reportedly needed in 14 out of 24 neighbourhoods. Water access and quality With the main water network not functioning, the sole source of water in Ar-Raqqa is neighbourhood boreholes. In Nahda, most of the boreholes have reportedly been damaged in the conflict, reducing output volume and water quality. The supply of water is insufficient and remaining residents are using coping mechanisms. In Hurriyeh neighbourhood, KIs reported that almost no one has enough water for their needs. KIs reported that residents in both populated neighbourhoods are reducing water consumption and modifying hygiene practices. In Hurriyeh, residents are resorting to drinking water normally used for other purposes, like washing. The quality of the water is also poor. In both populated neighbourhoods, KIs reported the water tastes bad. In Hurriyeh, people are reportedly getting sick from the water. Sanitation In Nahda neighborhood, KIs reported garbage in the streets and an infestation of rats and pests. In Hurriyeh, garbage is not being collected or disposed of. The sewage infrastructure is reportedly in good condition. KIs reported that the main sewer lines were functional in 21 out of 24 neighbourhoods in the city. 9

6 outbreak Situation cvdpv2 Deir Ez-Zor WHO & UNICEF Joint Report # 16 Seven (7) new cases of cvdpv2 (circulating Vaccine-Derived PolioVirus 2) have been confirmed (late on September) 5 cases from Mayadeen and 1 from Boukamal districts, Deir Ez-Zor governorate, and 1 case from Thawra district (newly infected), Raqqa governorate. Isolates from some cases had been laboratory pending for some time. The most recent case, a child from Boukamal with no history of polio vaccination, had onset of paralysis on 5 August. IPV vaccination for children missed in the second Deir Ez-Zor round continues through local health centers. IPV is also being administered to IDP children from Deir Ez-Zor in all governorates. Other governorates IPV campaign activities aiming to reach children aged between 223- months in accessible areas of Aleppo and Idleb governorates have started. Surveillance summary Poliovirus has been isolated from stool samples collected from a healthy child in Damascus, as part of screening in place for IPDs from Deir Ez-Zor and Raqqa. The child, from Boukamal, Deir Ez-Zor, had samples collected on 19 August, the day of arri-val. WHO and MoH will continue to take samples from healthy children in areas of Damascus with high numbers of IDPs, to ensure there is no wider circulation. Poliovirus has been continue to take samples Thawra district have been isolated from stool samples from healthy children in included in campaign collected from a healthy areas of Damascus with plans. child in Damascus, as high numbers of IDPs, to A series of meetings part of screening in place ensure there is no wider between partners to for IPDs from Deir Ezcirculation. review outbreak response Zor and Raqqa. The child, activities to date and to from Boukamal, Deir Ez- Preparation for the second immunization round for identify priorities for the Zor, had samples collected Raqqa is ongoing. Newly next two months took place on 19 August, the day of arrival. WHO and MoH will accessible villages in in Beirut September. Immunization response Although detection of poliovirus outside of transmission zones is always of concern, routine IPV coverage in Damascus is high, at 82%. Two doses of IPV are given to children in Syria as part of the routine immunization schedule. MoH has recently con-ducted IPV catch-up campaigns in high risk areas to boost immunity levels of vulnerable children. Of the infected governorates, Raqqa and Homs are currently meeting global standards for AFP surveillance. Deir Ez-Zor gover-norate meets the primary indicator for surveillance sensitivity, however, has an adequate specimen rate of 76%, which is be-low the minimum accepted standard for this indicator (80%). The total number of AFP cases detected in Deir Ez-Zor governorate since the beginning of 2017 is 138 (104 from Mayadeen, 10 from Deir Ez-Zor, and 24 from Boukamal districts). Raqqa governorate has reported 16 AFP cases (5 from Raqqa, 10 from Tell Abyad, and 1 from Thawra districts). Homs governorate has reported 34 AFP cases (17 from Homs city, 14 from Rastan, 1 from Tadmour and 2 from Talkalakh districts). The national response plan currently includes two immunization rounds each in Deir Ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates. Deir Ez-Zor activities include the southern part of Shadadi district in Hasakah governorate. The first and second rounds for Deir Ez-Zor have been completed (22-26 July, August), as well as the first round for Raqqa (12-17 August). 30,000 children not included in campaign micro-plans. An Preparation for the second additional 60 vaccination immunization round for teams are on standby for Raqqa is ongoing. Newly contingency activities. accessible villages in Thawra district have been included Aqua Tabs will be offered in campaign plans. to families together with vaccination. Due to high levels of population movement, WHO Cold chain has been has developed a contingency enhanced in Tell Abyad with plan to cover an additional the installation of two deep 10 Raqqa freezers and supply of 50 additional vaccine carriers. Community leaders in Raqqa have been engaged in all districts to assist in the monitoring of vaccination activities and to help facilitate access of vaccination teams. 11

7 Displacement overview of Ar-Raqqa & Deir-ezZor Since November 2016, ongoing conflict has led to complex displacement from Ar-Raqqa governorate to locations across northern Syria, totaling an estimated 289,901 persons.1 Conflict in neighbouring Aleppo in early 2017, and in Deir-ezZor escalating in July 2017, has also caused IDP movement in north-east Syria.2 The context is volatile, with limited humanitarian access. Actors face substantial information gaps regarding priority needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps and informal settlements and their access to essential services. Furthermore, a large number of IDPs in Ar-Raqqa governorate are staying with host communities and are also in need of assistance. To address these gaps, REACH and Syria Relief Network (SRN) have conducted a third round of site profiles aiming to provide an overview of IDP camps and informal settlements in Ar-Raqqa and Al-Hasakeh governorates, as well as information on the situation of IDPs in host communities. Methodology Data collection took place between 10 and 19 September 2017 through a combination of 34 direct and remote Key Informant (KI) interviews with community leaders, camp management, site residents and NGO representatives. Different tools were used to assess IDPs in camps / informal settlements / collective shelters, and IDPs in host communities. Limitations Assessed IDP sites and villages were selected on the basis of accessibility and do not constitute a comprehensive list. Though efforts were made to cover known and accessible sites, not all villages with IDPs staying with host communities were assessed. The situation is highly dynamic and information should be considered relevant at the time of data collection. Findings are not statistically representative and should be considered indicative only, nor are findings from specific sites generalizable across other locations. Sectoral needs are as reported by KIs. key findings 12 Managed transit camps: Mabruka and Al Hol3 in Al- Hasakeh governorate, and Ein Issa in Ar-Raqqa governorate, have been used as transit locations for months. More recently, Areesheh (Bahra / Shadadeh) has been established for IDPs from Deir-ez-Zor. In the past month, all of these camps have been overwhelmed with large influxes of people from Deir-ez-Zor, which are expected to continue. Ein Issa/Tell Abiad/ Suluk: Large numbers of IDPs are staying with host communities across these subdistricts in the north of Ar- Raqqa governorate. Smaller numbers are staying in collective shelters, primarily schools, though these people will reportedly need to leave soon as schools reopen for As in previous rounds, across the IDP sites in Ar-Raqqa and Al-Hasakeh governorates, conditions are better in sites that lie geographically closer to areas with higher levels of humanitarian access, or where host communities have been able to provide shelter within collective centres. Except for locations in which IDPs are sheltering in buildings, shelter numbers are frequently insufficient and conditions are inadequate. In many areas, shelters are insecure and expose residents to scorpions and snakes. Access to clean drinking water education. Displacement Zones Overview Ar-Raqqa countryside: Large numbers of IDPs are staying in villages north and west of Ar-Raqqa city, both with host communities and in collective shelters. Jurneyyeh: In the west of Ar-Raqqa governorate, IDPs are living in collective shelters in Jurneyyeh and nearby villages. There is a large informal tented settlement near the Tabqa dam reservoir, Twahine, which is difficult to access and has limited services. remains a serious concern across the displacement zones. At many sites, but particularly in the Maadan/ Sabka and Raqqa countryside zones, although water is available, quality is low and frequently causes diarrhoea or rashes. Open defecation is also a concern, and most frequently practiced at overcrowded tented sites and collective shelters with limited numbers of functioning latrines. The availability of health facilities and medicine remains extremely low. Medicine for vulnerable groups was nearly completely unavailable except 13 Tabqa/Mansura: Tabqa (Al-Thawrah), the second largest city in Ar-Raqqa governorate, hosts thousands of IDPs in collective shelters and host communities. Karama: There is a large informal settlement near Karama town which is difficult to access due to proximity to conflict lines. This and nearby informal settlements previously hosted populations from nearby villages, who were able to move back to their villages; now it hosts primarily people from Maadan and Sabka. Maadan/Sabka: Populations have left their homes due to conflict and are staying in tented settlements along the river bank. This area is extremely difficult to access. in managed camps. Nearly all IDPs must travel significant distances (an expensive and difficult prospect) to access medical services. Food remains frequently available to purchase from basic markets within or nearby to sites. Additionally, standard food baskets are reaching many IDPs across northeast Syria. Assistance is greatly needed in Maadan/Sabka, where markets are not functioning, IDPs are eating only one meal per day and the security situation has prevented food distributions

8 The Tecknical Working Group (TWiG), IOM with close collaboration with NRC have conducted the HOUSING, LAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS IN SHELTER DUE DILIGENCE GUIDELINES in order for the NGOs in Northern Syria, who works mainly in Aleppo and Idleb Governorates, to ensure that the beneficiary rights to have an appropriate shelter as well as for NGOs to be accountable towards the donor by making sure they are dealing with the right owner of the shelter. The objective of the Due Diligence Guidelines is to support shelter actors in HOUSING, LAND AND PROPERTY HLP ensuring that Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights of both shelter beneficiaries and land/property owners in Northern Syria are protected to the greatest extent possible throughout the shelter program cycle. A Due Diligence process also ensures accountability to beneficiaries and donors. This adaptation is the outcome of a field assessment carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the Technical Working Group (TWIG) of the Turkey hub x-border Shelter/NFI Cluster in December HLP rights include the full spectrum of rights to housing, land and property held according to statutory or customary law or informally; both public and private housing, land and/ or property assets.2 They include: Right to adequate housing, Right to access to natural resources, Right to security of tenure and protection against forced eviction, and Right to nondiscrimination in accessing HLP rights. What does it mean to apply a Due Diligence Standard in Shelter Programming? Due Diligence is a process of research, analysis and monitoring to ensure the protection of HLP rights throughout the shelter program cycle. This requires a double focus: 1) to identify and obtain the agreement of respective owner(s) of land and properties used for shelter interventions prior to any intervention, and 2) to provide the greatest degree of tenure security to beneficiaries feasible in the given context. A Due Diligence approach also ensures that vulnerable groups, 14 especially women, are taken into consideration throughout. Failure to conduct Due Diligence not only risks significant HLP rights violations and the breach of humanitarian principles, but can also derail entire shelter interventions. 4 typs of Shelter Interventions are considered in the Due Diligence Guidance: Shelter construction: Permanent - Transitional Also, The Due Diligence is existing in the all phases of a Shelter Project: Phase 1: Preparedness & Planning In some cases, Due Diligence cannot be conducted for a number of reasons In cases where: Risk to the health, security, privacy and dignity caused by inadequate shelter outweigh the risks of not doing Due Diligence, The property/land owner cannot be found or there is not authorized representative of the owner (i.e. authorized in writing), Shelter repairs: Private housing - Collective centers Rehabilitation of unfinished buildings Household rental support. Phase 2: Before implementation Phase 3: During implementation Phase 4: Evaluation WHEN DUE DILIGENCE CANNOT BE CONDUCTED? 15 The local context is characterized by a high level of HLP disputes and substantial demographic change since the beginning of the conflict.

9 Sectoral meetings URC Urban Research Center - Emaar Report No. 06 Report of International Commission of Inquiries CoI on Syrian Arab Republic, An overview of humanitarian needs by SSG. Statement by Mr. Ali Al- Zaatari, United Nations Resident Activities and meetings Sharing reports from the humanitarian clusters in Turkey Humanitarian Coordinator, on the Needs assessment Evaluate the needs of training courses for organizations and representatives of civil society, in order to include delivery of Inter-Agency convoys to Deir Ez-Zor, issued in Damascus, 15 September 2017 Syria Crisis: Northeast Syria Case Report No. 15 (1-31 August 2017) by OCHA Update on regional funding - Syria crisis (as of 31 August 2017) Report on the status of Turkey / Syria crossing borders, 18 September the required courses within the monthly training plan Market assessment on prices of food items and fuel in Aleppo, Homs, Rural Other activities of the platform in September Attended a coordination meeting in Dara governorate by the local coordinator of the platform in Western Dara, which was carried out by the local council of Dara. Advocating for distribution of life saving aid for Al- Tira camps in Sweida governorate and sharing a flash report describing the situation there. A more detailed report was prepared and share with humanitarian society in Jordan. Sector coordinators, for their part, have mobilized and advocated. 16 Update on Idleb governorate situation (Photos - Video - Maps) Training materials on housing, land and property (HLP) Snapshot of September response by UNHCR The third anniversary of the intervention of the international coalition forces in Syria - dramatic cost. Idleb, Idleb city, Quneitra, Eastern Ghoutah, Western and Eastern Daraa, Hama, Al Hasakeh and Deir Ez- Zor. Issuing a report on the latest mission of IA convoys to Eastern Ghouta by the local coordinator of the protection sector in Rural Damascus. The report was shared with Jordan Office and sector coordinators in Amman. FSL / NFI meeting in rural Homs 13/ 9/ 2017 WASH meeting in Idleb, 19/ 9 /2017 WASH meeting in rural Homs 20/ 9/ 2017 Meeting FSL / NFI in Idleb 21/ 9/ 2017 A number of representatives of organizations and actors in Syria has attended the meetings, as well as a number of representatives of the local councils in the listed areas. However, no meeting was held in Aleppo countryside due to the security situation in the region The meetings started with a presentation by the coordinators of the offices inside Syria with an update of the security and humanitarian situation in their areas, review on the situation of the international convoys that entered the northern Homs countryside, review the latest developments in the negotiations with the Russian side and a bi-annual review of the humanitarian response in the water and sanitation sector and an explanation of the humanitarian funding plan. He also explained the difficult reality for the villages of Ezzedine and the eastern villages of the countryside, which are currently dependent on water trucking. There is a s Difficult situation occurring on the IDP in the Golden Camp. A distress calls were sent by the Rastan Council regarding the southern station and the no-response from organizations. The NFI Sector Coordinator explained the funding from the Humanitarian Pooled Fund And that to about 13,180 people received response of non-food items in Homs for the first half of 2017 and there are approximately people were not covered in the Rastan - As for the shelter, the response was very little, about 1980 people were covered out of the 61,000 people in Homs The information about the UN relief convoys is updated monthly. The international convoys will enter the Homs countryside but the timing is unknown. The issues of temperatures and measurements will be added to consideration. Regarding the response to non-food items, Homs was among the top priorities Work is underway on introducing the Gold Camp in the countryside of Homs as part of the survey of the camps. The needs of the camp will be evaluated and reported periodically by the White Hands Organization and the IYD in cooperation 17 with the participation of Syrian Relief Network. Support is disbursed from the Humanitarian Fund for the shelter and non-food sector 1. Food Baskets: will be distributed by the International Organization for Migration 2. Fuel and heating: Projects are available to organizations and are essential for winter 3. Shelter: Provisions will be made for ways to improve shelter Regarding property rights and camp construction during camp construction, there is a problem in determining the ownership of the properties on which the camps are located, which leads to the transference of the camps in some cases, and a reference training file will be used for the rental of land and the setting up of the camps (determining the source of ownership confirmation through a title deed Local...) Emphasis on the issue of food security and purchase of wheat crop in the region Homs countryside being a strategic stock and the only one currently operating is the wheat project of the Coordination Unit for support and this project working 3 years ago in the countryside of Homs

10 Humanitarian Work between IHL and Counter- Terrorism Laws in Syria Overview As a consequence of the humanitarian crisis and civilian need within Syria, humanitarian actors have sought to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population. However, despite Security Council Resolution 2165 allowing humanitarian agencies to provide crossborder humanitarian assistance in Syria, and despite the right of the civilian population in need to receive The legal provision that provides a direct answer to the question about Syria s obligations under international humanitarian law with regard to the passage of humanitarian aid is Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which states that «An impartial humanitarian body, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, may offer Syrian Legal development Program humanitarian assistance the Syrian government has impeded the provision of humanitarian assistance to areas under the opposition s control through counter terrorism legislation, the targeting of human rights activists as well as of convoys delivering humanitarian relief. The paper commences with consideration of the relevant IHL treaties that the Syrian Republic has ratified that are First section Syrian Arab Republic obligation under International Law its services to the Parties to the conflict.» Article 3 is also supplemented by two principles of customary international humanitarian law as defined by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Rule 55, which states that: «The Parties to the conflict must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for 18 relevant to the question of the scope of IHL obligations to allow humanitarian bodies/organisations and humanitarian services to deliver humanitarian relief. It briefly outlines the scope of the IHL obligations that dictates prominence of IHL over local regulations pertaining to counterterrorism. In the third section it outlines framework for humanitarian organisations to adhere to. civilians in need... and Rule 56, which states that: «The parties to the conflict must ensure the freedom of movement of authorized humanitarian relief personnel essential to the exercise of their functions.... These two principles apply to international and noninternational armed conflicts. Second section The Primacy of International Law over Domestic Law Law No. 19 of the year 2012, and particularly the prohibition on providing any object of support to terrorist organisations does not clearly forbid the delivery of humanitarian aid. This law defines terrorism as «any act aimed at creating panic among people or disturbing public order... is committed by the use of weapons or ammunition... whatever the type of such means or using any instrument that performs the same purpose.» Phrases such as: «disturbance of public security» «Whatever the type of such means» means that any act can be a terrorist act. In this context the provisions of international humanitarian law have prominence over domestic legislation in Syria, including anti-terrorism legislation. To understand the legal obligations of the Syrian government and the hierarchy of laws in force in Syria, the Syrian domestic legislation must be consulted. First, the preamble to the Syrian Constitution of 2012, which states that the Syrian Arab Republic considers international peace and security a key objective and a strategic choice, and it works on achieving both of them under international law and the values of right and justice. Article 25 of the Syrian Civil Code provides that [t]he provisions of articles that are superseded by, or conflict with, an international treaty in force in Syria shall cease to apply. Further, Article 311 of the Syrian Code of Criminal Procedure as well as the Syrian Government s comments in the documents submitted to various United Nations committees. Both indicate the primacy of the syrian government s IL obligation over its national legislations. Syria s more recent official statements mandate to follow its counter-terrorism law instead of IHL. For example in a statement by Bashar Al-Jaafari, the Permanent 19 Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations, in February 2015, he linked the Syrian government s procedures to fight terrorism to the delivery of humanitarian aid. Such statements, practices and legislation are an attempt to repeal Syria s international obligations. However, any attempt to supersede international obligations through the enactment of domestic legislation is itself unlawful as a matter of public international law. This section discusses briefly the primary sources of international law from which this principle emerges, including: (i) international treaty law; (ii) customary international law; (iii) general principles of law; (iv) jurisprudence interpreting international law.

11 Third section Legitimate Restrictions on the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance, and the Rules and Principles humanitarian organisations must adhere to. n this section, we discuss that the Syrian government s obligations under international law and their prominence over domestic legislation, including the anti-terrorism law, do not remove the right of the state, but stress its obligations, to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. In this context, two important issues must be discussed: the legitimate restrictions the state can impose on humanitarian aid delivery, and the Rules and Principles humanitarian organisations must adhere to. The ICRC has accepted that practice recognises that the party concerned may exercise control over the relief action. However, states are only entitled to withhold consent for humanitarian relief operations in a number of limited circumstances. Accordingly, states cannot prevent humanitarian relief operations from accessing areas of a country under the control of opposition groups, but are permitted to regulate their activity to ensure certain legitimate objectives, including temporary restriction of humanitarian activities for reasons of imperative military necessity. A party to the conflict may restrict humanitarian access only for a limited period of time in a limited geographical area. Legitimate restrictions the state can impose on humanitarian aid delivery Rules and Principles humanitarian organisations must adhere to First it is important to understand what constitutes a humanitarian body and a humanitarian service. In order to qualify as a humanitarian organisation, it must have a minimum structure, and it must be capable of complying with professional standards for humanitarian work. It must also adhere to humanitarian principles, which are: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Humanitarian organisations working in Syria must be totally aware of local anti-terrorism laws to be able to operate in a legitimate way, they also must be aware of the conditions of the donations contracts. 20 Summary In sum, Syria is under an obligation to allow and facilitate humanitarian relief actions. These obligations take prominence over local anti-terrorism laws. However, this obligation is without prejudice to their entitlement of control through measures such as verifying the humanitarian and impartial nature of the assistance, prescribing technical arrangements for the practical delivery of the assistance as well as restricting the relief activities if reasons of imperative military necessity exist. Moreover, humanitarian organizations must adhere to the four humanitarian principles and must be fully aware of their rights and obligations under IHL and the national counter terrorism legislations in order for them to carry out their activities with full legitimacy. 21

12 SCP is one of the most important projects in Syria Relief Network SRN, and an executive tool to strengthen the field coordination of humanitarian activities, and sharing informations with all humanitarian active organizations and stakeholders, to achieve a better response by offering all humanitarian tools and contributing in information flow. Protection Sector Educations Sector NFI Sector WASH Sector Health Sector قطاعات العمل CCCM Sector Nutrition Sector FSL Sector platform Activity places distribution Aleppo - Idlib - Hama - Homs - Hasakah - Raqqa Rural Damascus - Damascus - Dar a - Al Qunaytirah Outputs SCP working to achieve them 1. Finding Syrian Humanitarian work mechanisms in line with international concepts and standards 2. Issuing a humanitarian map in Syria 3. Issuing and distributing the Syrian Humanitarian Magazine SHM monthly 4. strengthen the coordination between SNGOs 5. Capacity Building for SNGOs especially local ones 6. Identify important issues and advocate them 7. Rising the participation level in the formulation of Syrian humanitarian affairs. 8. Finding common solutions to the negative aspects of the humanitarian work in Syria. 9. Faster response to emergencies 22 23

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