This article was commissioned by NOREF and Swiss Peace with the aim of exploring the status of medical non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during the Syrian crisis.
This Article is a pre-LUGARIT work by our expert Zedoun Al-Zoubi.
The article discusses the challenges faced by Syrian medical non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during the crisis. These NGOs emerged in response to various issues, including severe violence, a lack of public health services, and the need for neutral humanitarian assistance. They face challenges such as weak organizational skills, donor dependency, logistical and security issues, and maintaining neutrality. The article emphasizes the need for these NGOs to improve skills, strategically plan beyond crisis response, and initiate projects covering both sides of the conflict. The analysis also reflects on the NGOs' relationships with other Syrian medical NGOs, international donors, community-based organizations, local administration councils, military factions, and governments in neighboring countries.
Header Photo
SAMS Doctors operating on a patient in Syria. Photo © Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS). Link >