For the Concept Note and Conference Agenda, click here.
The discussion will be held in both Arabic and English, with simultaneous interpretation available online.
You can register to attend by following this link. You will receive a Zoom confirmation email should your registration be successful. Alternatively, you can watch the event live here on our Facebook page.
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), in partnership with the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI), is organizing a conference focused on strengthening linkages between humanitarian assistance and social protection systems. Set against the backdrop of the compounded and protracted crises in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Jordan, this conference aims to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in creating sustainable and integrated responses. By bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, including international and national NGOs, civil society organizations, researchers, academics, UN agencies, and representatives from the donor community, we seek to foster a collaborative environment where ideas and strategies can be shared to enhance the coordination and efficacy of aid interventions.
The core purpose of this conference is to bridge the gap between various actors involved in humanitarian and development aid responses in the region. We recognize the critical need for a holistic approach that not only addresses immediate humanitarian needs but also envisions a transition to viable social protection systems in the long run. This convergence of efforts is essential for ensuring that vulnerable populations receive comprehensive support that extends beyond immediate and reactive relief. By creating a platform where local, national, and regional civil society can influence the policies of humanitarian actors and donors, we aim to ensure that aid programs are informed by data, research, and thorough assessments of the actual needs of those affected.
This conference builds on two closed roundtable discussions, which were organized by DRC and ARI over the past year and which are part of a continual series of dialogues dedicated to exploring the intricacies of integrating humanitarian assistance and social protection systems. This conference will delve deeply into how humanitarian aid can be more social protection-oriented, how can it be more coordinated and integrated with State-led social protection schemes, and the strategies to ensure that aid recipients graduate to these schemes over time. By addressing these critical areas, we hope to develop common approaches and frameworks that can be adopted at national, regional, and international levels, ultimately contributing to the progressive realization of universal social protection.