Humanitarian aid assistance in Olive Branch area: Problems and resolutions

The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has had a profound and direct impact on millions of people. Delivering humanitarian aid programs in such a complex crisis environment has become a critical challenge. The multifaceted nature of these environments, coupled with various variables and actors, makes it challenging to provide effective assistance to fragile communities. Often, the divergence between needs and available resources hampers the desired impact of aid programs. Additionally, the continuity and quality of programs are susceptible to disruption by secondary factors. In the pursuit of enhancing the effectiveness of future humanitarian aid programs in the Afrin region, this study was initiated in 2021 and evolved over a 2-year period. Planning commenced in the latter part of 2021, with field implementation taking place between October- December 2023, specifically in the Afrin region. Active participation in the study included NGO personnel in Afrin, Local Council representatives, and AFAD officials. The study's focus encompassed the analysis of humanitarian aid programs conducted by NGOs in the region, addressing the various challenges encountered during implementation. Deliberations revolved around the duties and responsibilities of different stakeholders involved in these programs. The most important outcomes of this study were outlined to minimize challenges both in the region and during the execution of humanitarian aid initiatives. Another crucial outcome of the study was the identification of more effective and high-quality types of humanitarian aid, shedding light on areas necessitating development and transformation. Keywords: Humanitarian Aid, NGO, Syria, Afrin, Disaster Management