Resources

After nearly 14 years of devastating civil war, which forcibly displaced over 12 million people and claimed more than 600,000 lives, Syria stands at a pivotal moment of transition following the fall of the Assad regime. This juncture offers hope for recovery and stability, but it also brings complex challenges that require a coordinated, inclusive, and principled humanitarian response.

On 16 December 2024, the IASC Principals endorsed a Systemwide Scale-up to intensify humanitarian efforts, marking the third such activation in Syria’s history. Central to the effectiveness of both the Scale-up and early recovery is Syria’s vibrant civil society, which has demonstrated exceptional resilience, leadership, and operational capacity throughout the conflict. Their inclusion in decision-making and resource allocation is vital for both immediate relief and long-term recovery.
Equally vital to success is the active engagement of the international community in fostering the enabling environment for a principled and effective humanitarian response and early recovery.

Drawing from learnings from previous Scale-ups and consultations with ICVA members and NGO networks, this paper identifies opportunities and potential pitfalls to the Scale-up. It also proposes mitigation measures to ensure a principled and effective response and early recovery for Syria.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, ICVA, with the support of the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), organised four regional workshops. The workshops brought together International NGOs (INGOs) and Local and National NGOs (L/NNGOs) as well as invited donors and UN actors, to both review the Principles of Partnership and reflect on good practices, challenges, and potential solutions in their implementation. This report summarises the key findings and recommendations from the four workshops.

Click on the link below to read the Report.

This document is an updated and consolidated version of previous ICVA guidelines and drafting procedures for NGO statements and UNHCR committee meetings.

Click on the below link to access the document.

Presentations from Sessions of the 2024 Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week, which took place on 10-12 December in Bangkok, Thailand.

Click on the links below to access the presentations.

The International PRIDE Centre provides legal and policy analysis, preparedness, & programming tools for emergency response agencies to ensure inclusive programming for LGBTQI+ persons in emergency, humanitarian, & development settings. The PRIDE Centre currently works in six countries in Africa.

The International PRIDE Centre is an independent Secretariat hosted by the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA).

Opportunity:

Call for Proposals: Branding and Design Consultancy

To strengthen its identity and communication, The PRIDE Centre seeks to engage a professional designer  to develop its branding and visual communication materials. These deliverables will support The Centre’s mission and ensure consistency across all platforms.

Deadline – 9 January 2025

Click on the below link to access the Terms of Reference.

Press Release: Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week – Asia Pacific 2024

The Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week (RHPW) is a collaborative event organised by ICVA, ADRRN, CWSA, and UNOCHA, bringing together hundreds of humanitarian professionals from the Asia-Pacific region to share best practices and foster partnerships. The event will take place 10 – 12 December 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Click on the below link to access the List of Participating Organisations.

A report analysing the protection context in Latin America and the Caribbean. The report will be launched during the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Cartagena Declaration and will contribute to the upcoming Chile Declaration and Action Plan 2024-2034.

The Cartagena +40 Declaration and Plan of Action is set for adoption on 11-12 December in Santiago, Chile.

Click on the below links to read the report in English and Spanish.

This report analyses survey responses from INGOs, NNGOs, local NGOs, and community-based organisations, shedding light on their varied experiences and perspectives with pooled funding. The survey aimed to capture a more nuanced and disaggregated view of how different types of NGOs experience pooled funding, in its broad articulation.

Click on the below link to read the Report.

The NGO Network Coordinator Representative will be responsible for facilitating, leading, and quality managing the work of the NGO Forum ensuring it remains relevant to the needs of its members and is appropriate to the context.

Deadline of Applications – 14 December 2024

Click on the below link to access the Terms of Reference.

Draft agenda for the 20th General Assembly to be held online on 18th March 2025.

This statement is delivered on behalf of 109 NGOs, including humanitarian organizations with operations in countries covered by the GHO.

We are witnessing unspeakable human suffering due to the proliferation of conflicts lacking political solutions and the normalization of IHL violations. Indiscriminate attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, the bombing of schools and hospitals, and the use of starvation and sexual violence as methods of warfare are devastating communities worldwide. Climate shocks, economic fragility, and protracted conflict are exacerbating humanitarian needs, leading to unprecedented levels of displacement and an escalating global hunger crisis.

Boundary-setting and narrower definitions of people in need are resulting in a highly prioritized 2025 GHO. With limited complementarity with development and other actors, it is unclear who will target those left behind. Despite exceptional prioritization efforts, humanitarian funding lags behind and ODA cuts impact both humanitarian action and development gains.

We must turn the tide together in 2025.

We urge donors to fully fund the 2025 GHO and to provide quality funding as early as possible in the year to enable flexible, timely, and principled humanitarian action.

The catastrophic effects of IHL violations – including on children, women, and people living with disabilities – urgently require donors’ re-commitment to the traditionally underfunded sectors of gender and GBV, education and child protection in emergencies, and the stepping up of funding for hunger and forced displacement.

We call for a substantial increase in the volume and quality of funding to local and national actors, including Women’s organizations, whose essential leadership in humanitarian response must be recognized. This should be rooted in accountability to – and meaningful participation of – affected people.

All stakeholders must redouble efforts to prevent and resolve conflict, and we urge humanitarian, development, peace and climate actors to work together to make nexus programming a reality and foster resilience. This requires increased ODA directed to fragile settings.

Nothing will reduce humanitarian needs unless civilians are protected. The 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions is also a year of unconscionable IHL violations. We urge parties to conflicts to abide by their obligations, and we call on governments to leverage their influence and ensure that the consistent application of IHL is a top priority.

Click on the link to Read the Full Joint Statement and access the list of signatories.

Founded in 1962, ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies) is a global network of over 160 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in 160 countries, operating at global, regional, national and local levels. Our mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice.

ICVA vacancies are also advertised on Twitter and LinkedIn. Follow us there and be the first to know.

ICVA’s selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our organisational integrity and commitment to make humanitarian action more principled and effective.

Opportunity

Call for Proposals – Branding and Design Consultancy for the International PRIDE Centre

The International PRIDE Centre is an independent Secretariat hosted by the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA).

Deadline – 9 January 18:00 CET

Click on the below link to access the Terms of Reference.

Le consultant GI devra mettre en œuvre la méthodologie et les outils développés au niveau régional dans le pays. Il sera appuyé par un consultant analyste dans le pays. Un consultant régional (Regional Information Management Advisor) apportera son soutien et ses conseils sur les aspects techniques du projet (outils, méthodologie, etc.).

La date limite de dépôt des candidatures est fixée au 08/12/2024 à 00h00 UTC+1

Le consultant analyste devra mettre en œuvre la méthodologie et les outils développés au niveau régional dans le pays. Il sera appuyé par un consultant pays en gestion de l’information (GI). Un consultant régional (Regional Information Management Advisor) apportera son soutien et ses conseils sur les aspects techniques du projet (outils, méthodologie, etc.).

La date limite de dépôt des candidatures est fixée au 08/12/2024 à 00h00 UTC+1