Lemkin Reunion: How the Aid Industry Failed Syrians

Panel discussion with: 

Assaad Al Achi, Executive Director of Baytna Syria
Marcell Shehwaro, Founder and Executive Director of Kesh Malek
Peter Harling, Founder and Director of Synaps
Ibrahim Olabi, Founder of the Syrian Legal Development Programme

The international aid machinery has poured billions of dollars into their response to the war in Syria but despite this, it has remained consistently out of step with developments in the conflict. The war has evolved far faster than the ability of aid organizations and donors to respond, resulting in massive failures in the humanitarian response. The Syrian government and its Russian and Iranian allies have pursued a brutal war against civilians in a manner designed to maximize harm and displacement. Millions have been driven from their homes or starved by besieging troops. Multiple UN resolutions on the protection of civilians have been ignored with impunity. Meanwhile, the international community has failed to develop effective relationships with those on the ground who might have been able to provide help more effectively.  What explains the failures of Syria and is there a way to help more people more effectively?

The third Reunion will gather experts in the field for a series of roundtable discussions as well as a panel discussion to evaluate responses to the atrocities and war crimes in Syria. 

Photo: Karam Kabbani, Eldery people waiting for food aid, Bustan Al-Qasr, Aleppo