Allocation Strategy Paper: Syria Humanitarian Fund - 2018 First Standard Allocation

I. Allocation Overview

A) Introduction / Humanitarian Situation The Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF) seeks to promote a strategic and coordinated response towards the most pressing humanitarian priorities as outlined in the Humanitarian Response Plan while maintaining flexibility to respond to emerging and unforeseen needs. For the first standard allocation in 2018, the SHF is aiming to support humanitarian partners who are responding to the most acute needs in the most underserved areas in the below defined priority locations across the country.

To this end, the Syrian Humanitarian Fund seeks to allocate up to US$ 20 million with a geographical focus on areas in South-West Syria (Dar’a and Quneitera governorates); North-East Syria (Ar-Raqqa, Al-Hassakeh and Deir-ez-Zor governorates), and Central Syria (Rural Hama and Northern Rural Homs). Some 321 locations in these areas have been identified as priority areas of interventions. These areas are deemed to be largely underserved despite significant needs, either due to their remoteness or due to access restrictions and have only recently opened up to Damascus-based actors due to shifts in control. Many resident and IDP populations in these areas have lived through years of hostilities and deprivation, some endured prolonged periods under ISIL control, others were subject to movement restrictions and military encirclement, due to which all areas were reached with insufficient humanitarian assistance. Return movements following changes in control and a gradual ease of access restrictions mean that these areas are now home to even more people in need. With access to these areas gradually improving, the Standard Allocation aims to fund projects in locations that are assessed as most in need (as per an inter-sector severity scale 4 to 6 rating and field reports) and most underserved (as per the outcomes of the 2018 HRP Periodic Monitoring Review).

The allocation further prioritises interventions from sectors which funding level has been comparatively low, including Education, Health, NFIs, Shelter and WASH. Sources on the ground confirm that interventions from these sectors have been assessed to be priority needs in the identified locations.

Since January 2018, 13 donors1 have generously contributed to the SHF a total of $ 34.59 million. Combined with the SHF carry-over from 2017 ($13.94 million), the funds received to date cover some 57 per cent of the 2018 funding requirement based on HRP 2018.