Background
Non-Food Items (NFIs) support remains a primary need for the crisis-affected population, with an estimated 5.3 million people in need of this kind of support. Access to and availability of NFIs remains limited. A number of drivers, including the conflict, economic and financial measures imposed on Syria, economic decline and reduced availability of basic services have all contributed to the exacerbation of the humanitarian situation here.
Given the dynamics of the conflict in Syria, the movement of relief actors and access to those in need continues to be a major impediment to providing assistance. The proliferation of checkpoints, active and changing frontlines, tactics of besiegement and insecurity often prevent the delivery of assistance. Movement restrictions are more severe in urban areas and in areas experiencing frequent and high intensity conflict.
Since 2012, the NFI sector member agencies have been responding to the needs of IDPs and conflict-affected persons. The sector has focused efforts on hard-to-reach and underserved areas, and some successes have been noted - such as the use of airlifts and new land routes to access certain areas. These practices and lessons are being applied further in the response for 2016.
Response
Respond to sudden emergencies, as well as provide more sustainable solutions by focusing on saving and sustaining lives through providing NFI kits, construction materials/tools etc as well as addressing seasonal needs such as NFI winter kits.
Linkage with other sectors: the sector recognizes the centrality of protection in all programming and it is therefore committed to mainstreaming protection. In addition, sector practices proactive engagement with the Protection, CCCM, WASH, Livelihood and Early Recovery and Education sectors.
Ensure adequate and affective contingency planning to respond to the sudden-onset cyclical displacements. This includes maintaining stocks in key locations to address acute and chronic needs and enable a tailored flexible response.
Further emphasize coordination efforts, through the creation and maintenance of efficient coordination mechanisms within the sector, inter-sectors and inter-agency as well as continued interaction with other relevant parties such as governmental counterparts, SARC and ICRC. Coordination was also strengthened at the sub-national level by establishing the local SWG, and extending to the regional coverage through the WoS approach.
Build the capacity of actors responding to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, including NGOs, local NGOs, and other stakeholders.
Gaps & Challenges
- Access to population in need (especially besieged and hard to reach areas)
- Timely delivery constrained related to/ mainly derived from: approval process, funding and/ or planning.
- Reliable information and credible assessments.
- A Clear monitoring approach and reports.
- Complexity of and delays resulting from formal and administrative procedures for provision of NFIs assistance.
- Lack of data (and/or access to/sharing of data on needs).
- Lack of beneficiaries’ data base being made available to actors (leading to inability to properly monitor/ verify assistance delivery)
- Capacity of local partners for distribution, assessment, application of do no harm, protection mainstreaming, monitoring