Qatar Charity (QC) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have convened the 'Strategic Consultative Roundtable on Enhancing Humanitarian and Development Coordination in Syria'. The initiative, according to an official statement from QC, is part of a long-standing partnership aimed at advancing effective humanitarian efforts, fostering dialogue among stakeholders and building strategic alliances that support resilience and sustainable response efforts in Syria and other crisis-affected areas ultimately creating a tangible impact in the lives of beneficiaries.
Hosted at QC headquarters in Doha, the meeting brought together representatives from relevant UN agencies, international NGOs, Syrian civil society organisations, engaged in humanitarian and development work, UN implementing partners, donors, regional and global humanitarian networks and independent experts. Some participants also joined the discussion remotely.
The roundtable offered a platform for structured, inclusive dialogue among humanitarian actors in Syria. It aimed to provide a unified framework for sharing insights, strengthening coordination, identifying shared challenges and exploring practical ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian response.
Key themes included the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly with international actors to foster a more cohesive and sustainable humanitarian approach. The meeting also sought to build a shared vision rooted in transparency and coordination, define priorities for humanitarian intervention, and amplify collective impact to ensure equitable distribution of aid, especially to the most vulnerable groups.
Mohammed Ali al-Ghamdi, chief governance and external affairs officer at QC said the event is taking place at a pivotal moment marked by significant shifts in the Syrian context. "The roundtable presents a valuable opportunity to translate dialogue into practical steps redefining intervention priorities, empowering local actors, and fostering constructive contributions from all stakeholders to meet urgent needs and support long-term development," he said.
Michel Saad, deputy director, Operations and Advocacy Division at OCHA in New York, provided an overview of the current phase of transferring humanitarian coordination within Syria. He emphasised the importance of empowering NGOs and Syrian civil society organisations to actively contribute to development efforts.
Nawaf Abdullah al-Hammadi, chief global operations officer, praised the ongoing collaboration between Qatar Charity and OCHA. He emphasised the event’s role in supporting development and restoring stability in Syria through open dialogue, consultation and collective action among humanitarian actors.
Discussions focused on key topics including the current humanitarian landscape in Syria, coordination mechanisms among humanitarian organisations, integrated programming between relief and development sectors, sectoral convergence for sustained impact, the role of Syrian NGOs, post-sanctions opportunities and challenges and strategies for building robust partnerships and humanitarian alliances.
The roundtable concluded by reaffirming their commitment to follow up on the event’s recommendations and outcomes. They underscored the importance of strengthening humanitarian coordination and building effective partnerships in pursuit of a unified, peaceful Syria where all citizens can enjoy dignity, security, and a better future.
