ABSTRACT
The previous two chapters outlined the scale and scope of the crisis, an overview of displacement and how states in the region are responding in coordination with international and domestic organizations. This chapter takes a closer look at the main humanitarian actors responding to Syria’s refugees and IDPs, and the great complexity of this system. It lays out the basics of who is doing what where (including the “cluster approach”); the partnerships and coordination between organizations; a timeline of key events for humanitarian responders; funding issues; challenges; and achievements. Throughout the course of the chapter, broader questions are raised about how the humanitarian response to Syria will affect the global refugee regime. The chapter also demonstrates how interconnected humanitarian responses of protection and assistance are to other security and economic issues, indicating that while human rights must be the first priority, displacement must not be thought about in isolation from other strategic policy areas.
