1. Chapter 1:

Introduction

1.1 Research Background  

Humanitarian policies of sovereignty, detachment, humanity, and independence should be fastener onto humanitarian actors and agents to shape their choices. Clarke and Parris (2022) examined how these principles are the major instruments by which humanitarian actors enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian efforts and protect, rescue and provide aid to vulnerable persons. For instance, health workers could be trained to construct, select, and implement various programmes that aim to improve the lives of the population. The local communities with the governments for humanitarian assistance setup policies to ensure that the assistance is given to the people in need. It plays a crucial role in the areas experiencing conflicts or turmoil because aid can usually be difficult to obtain.

On the other hand, observing the Code of Conduct and other relevant standards is necessary to avoid violations of those regulations that are defined and established by humanitarian groups. The crisis in Syria continues to face challenges that are associated with humanitarian values. For example, the leading number of people lost their homes as a result of the houses’ destruction, and the highest number of people died as well. However, despite the United Nations and national agencies devoted to providing humanitarian aid to Northern Syria, these institutions are carrying a heavy burden by doing their best to help others. Halland and Todman (2021) pointed out that these organisations often face difficulties when they try to abide by the conditionality requirements for delivering aid. The tragic events and heinous violence of the current times have had devastating impacts on community members, especially those who are on the northern side of Syria. At the same time, having the aid distributed following the humanitarian law protocol has been found difficult due to safety considerations and restricted access (Centre for Disaster Philanthropy, 2023). This investigates how the unavailability of safe and secure travel hinders the implementation of humanitarian programs in northern Syria. Here, the survey will find out what measures the humanitarian organisations are taking to deal with these problems. This research will discuss the consequence of inaccessible financial resources living the people of Northern Syria.

1.2 Problem Statement

The situation in Northern Syria presents a greater peril for the delivery of help (Seven, 2022). Furthermore, it is worth noting that this contradicts the principle of aiding individuals who lack fundamental human rights and housing. Simultaneously, this limited access hinders the promotion of humanitarian norms in Northern Syria. The war has resulted in significant displacement of individuals from their homes, forcing them to seek sanctuary in other locations (Zisser, 2019). Several locations are inaccessible due to the presence of armed organisations that frequently launch attacks. This adds complexity to the process of assisting regions where individuals are experiencing distress. In addition, the intricacies of politics and the obstacles presented by different factions further complicate the issue (Ibrahim, 2022). The regulations about entrance and aid are impeding NGOs who seek to assist the neediest populations. Humanitarian organisations have devised several strategies to address these issues. Charitable groups might employ technology to oversee and enhance their activities in regions with elevated levels of risk. Such an approach enables them to give support without showing any discrimination.

Additionally, working organisations that assist people in trouble have been allotting financial resources to guarantee the safety of their staff members in Northern Syria (Bdaiwi et al., 2020). Therefore, working with local organisations and communities contributes to having a clearer idea of the specific needs of people in hardships and gives out the relevant help. However, the relationships facilitate the relationship with one another; hence, it is possible to understand the culture and it is followed by the display of more respect and empathy. To go through a complex and divided environment they have come together with local community bodies and educational institutions. Humanitarian organisations are constantly working on uncovering new strategies that will sustain their personnel and guarantee the prompt delivery of aid (Duclos et al., 2019). As the problem is serious, there is a deficiency in the monetary fund that would assist all residents in the area. Organisations cannot fulfil one of the aims of supporting people, which is to assist them through a lack of enough financial resources.

1.3 Research Aim

The research design for this study focuses on what humanitarian principles are and how they are implemented in practice, by considering the case of Northern Syria.

1.4 Research Objectives and Research Questions

• How does the limited access and insecurity in the North of Syria affect humanitarian principles?
• What is the effect caused by the shortage of funding and its influence on humanitarian help provided in northern Syria?
• What methods do the humanitarian organisations in Northern Syria employ in responding to the challenges faced?

The objectives of this study are as follows:

• To assess the consequences of limited access and insecurity on the implementation of humanitarian principles in Northern Syria.
• To research the lack of funding and the subsequent effect on providing humanitarian relief in Northern Syria.
• To determine the methods that the humanitarian organisations in Northern Syria employ in responding to the challenges faced.

1.5 Research Significance

It is critical to determine the impact that the security and human access restrictions have on approaches to humanitarian aid in North Syria, the study argues. Therefore, most Syrian people during the last few years were forced to migrate on humanitarian grounds (Orcutt et al., 2019). Therefore, the critical role of the humanitarian agents helping vulnerable groups in the field of human need, and their tasks, is of great importance and should be well appreciated. Tending them this way implies the conservation and attachment of such pledging principles in society. According to Ahmed et al. (2023), it is the inadequacy of access that makes the problem of getting purposeful help for the population complicated. Just as the challenge of security and access can be an important obstacle to the efficacy of prompt and comprehensive aid which can later aggravate the bad situation and death of Syrians, security and access challenges to the delivery of timely and adequate aid are also keys to the exacerbation of the situation and the death toll among the Syrian community. This analysis has therefore endeavoured to enlighten humanitarian organisations to review their approaches for successful implementation in the target group and take into account how they can ensure that operations continue uninterrupted. Nevertheless, even though there is a problem of an insufficient financial fund, the issues around humanitarian aid exclusion in the North of Syria cannot be ignored. It is necessary to add the necessary financial resources for the population that was displaced from Syria by giving them food shelter and healthcare to help them combat the negative effects of the conflict.

1.6 Reason for Conducting this Research

I have been influenced by multifaceted private and professional aspects which have made me devote my time to studying the latest research on the application of humanitarian principles in Northern Syria. I have worked in organisations dedicated to providing humanitarian help, allowing me to directly see the obstacles faced by humanitarian actors in implementing these principles. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian response to the Syrian situation and its impact on the affected populations. To enhance my ability to improve the effectiveness and coordination of humanitarian responses to comparable crises in the future, I will examine the many methods by which humanitarian principles are being implemented in Northern Syria.

2. Literature Review

2.1.        Theoretical Review

2.1.1.   Right-Based Approach

A human rights-based strategy seeks to build up the capabilities and responsibilities of those in charge of protecting, promoting and realizing peoples ‘rights. It also includes people being provided with information about their existence so that they may defend themselves (Al Ibraheem 2017). This means giving people a greater opportunity to affect the choices that impact their human rights. The aim of adopting a human rights-based approach is that the norms and values associated with human rights are integrated into organisation practice. The right-based approach is a humanitarian theory based on the concept of protecting and promoting people’s rights. It suggests that humanitarian crises often arise from violations of fundamental rights, and resolving the root problem requires implementing measures to promote and protect human rights (Syria, 2020). Such a right-based approach can be reintegrated into an analysis of how far such principles have been applied. It can be ensured by looking at the attempts made both by major aid agencies to put them into effect in their programming and indeed other actors on the ground as they seek or others take up advocacy activities (Krause, 2013). Moreover, the right-based approach can assist in examining how humanitarian organisations have responded to local people and supported them according to international standards of rights.

2.1.2.    Do No Harm Framework

Humanitarian action framework according to the Do No Harm mentality is important in complex, sensitive political environments. It is pointed out that humanitarian organisations must not produce unintended harmful effects or harm to the people they are there to help. It is considering these less-than-desirable consequences of humanitarian intervention–such as sparking conflict or forcing people to move away. As for Northern Syria, humanitarian organisations can apply a DNNH approach by way of various strategies in this context. Additionally, they must undergo thorough reviews of political and social backgrounds to ensure their actions do not result in undesirable consequences. An examination of this sort must involve consultation with local communities and other stakeholders to understand their perspectives and concerns Quack (2018). Second, humanitarian organisations need to be transparent about their work and keep all interested parties well informed. Leenders and Mansour (2018) note that this includes sharing information on their programs, budgets and decision-making processes with adjacent communities along as well actors in the region. In conclusion, humanitarian organisations must carefully monitor and evaluate their operations to ensure they are sustainable for the long term (Amnesty International 2022). This may entail requesting feedback from beneficiaries and other parties involved, based on which future operations can be refined.

2.2.       Empirical Review

2.2.1.   Limited Access and Insecurity on the Implementation of Humanitarian Principles in Northern Syria

According to a study by Maxwell and Gelsdorf (2019), humanity is the biggest drive behind humanitarian operations on an international scale. Moreover, these deeds of compassion provide the foundation for humanitarian aid. However, Jabbour et al. (2021) pointed out that there are still some difficulties in the adoption of humanitarian principles and it is hard to promote humanity through relief supplies efficiently or by consensus at present time. Humanitarian actors in Northern Syria have significant obstacles while attempting to maintain humanitarian standards (Howe and Stites, 2019). Also, Howe and Stites’ (2019) study discovered that obstacles stood in the way of a unified and forceful response to Southern Syria. Therefore, looking at the study of Akik et al. (2015), these conflict situations are not just between organisations that support people affected by conflict; they also involve different kinds of actors and interests on all sides.

Later, it becomes clear that several groups are seeking different goals and offering assistance in various forms. International non-governmental and government bodies have to cooperate in providing humanitarian assistance (Clarke and Parris, 2019). These competing plans make it difficult for services to cooperate and come up with a coherent strategy. In response, Hilhorst et al. (2019) contended that the complex nature of the conflict means people involved are being insufficiently supported by organisations. Lack of resources, hard to reach the underprivileged and different agendas are major problems for humanitarian aid agencies.

Moreover, Jabbour et al. (2021) stated that with such high levels of insecurity and the frequency of attacks on aid workers or their infrastructure, fewer humanitarian agencies are operating in conflict zones, gravely compromising the future delivery of help. Nonetheless, limited humanitarian supplies to affected populations, especially in remote and difficult-to-reach areas, have also compounded a lack of support.

As a result, helping the disadvantaged has become more difficult for humanitarian organisations. The consensus is that there are more needs for humanitarian relief than there are available resources. Relief workers can run into difficulties getting to the most affected regions and vulnerable people. Concerns over the goals and scope of humanitarian aid have been raised by the intensifying conflicts (Howe and Stites, 2019). The humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing violence in northern Syria affects millions of people. The location’s dangerous surroundings and limited accessibility make it difficult to put humanitarian principles into practice. Among these ideas are humanism, independence, impartiality and neutrality (O’Reilly and O’Reilly, 2019). This critical literature review aims to evaluate the corpus of existing information on the topic, highlighting areas of dispute, concern and knowledge gaps that need more research.

2.2.2.   Strategies to address the challenges of humanitarian principles in Northern Syria

Humanitarian organisations work directly in Syria, through partner organisations, or both. Regardless of the factions in control of the area, the humanitarian organisation must collaborate with local authorities to provide high-quality assistance. Direct aid delivery to the field occurs in government of Syria (GoS) controlled areas; cross-border operations occur from neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan or Iraq; and cross-line activities occur from GoS territories to opposition control areas (Walker, 2020). Additionally, the various kinds of humanitarian non-governmental organisations need access to financial services and assets to carry out humanitarian operations and cover organisational costs like employee salaries, rent, local benefits and transportation (Walker, 2020). Regarding funding methods, donor agencies enter into contracts with or provide funding to international non-governmental organisations and UN agencies operating in Syria. Through their employees or agreements with regional partner organisations, they employ these monies to carry out direct field operations.

On the one hand, Khalaf, (2015) stressed that it is crucial to highlight that foreign players without a physical presence in Syria are prohibited from making direct contact with, hiring or accepting funding from local non-governmental organisations in Syria. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour should be the conduit for these connections (Bosman, 2012). Nonetheless, Syria and its surrounding regions, which are home to Syrian refugees, have received billions of dollars in humanitarian help Krause (2013). The humanitarian catastrophe brought on by the continuous violence in Northern Syria has challenged the principles of neutrality, independence, impartiality and humanity.

The presence of several parties, including foreign organisations, opposition groups and the Syrian government, complicates the humanitarian response in this area. At the heart of humanitarian action is an idea. People who have suffered natural disasters or warfare are entitled to assistance regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion and political affiliation (Ferris 2011). Nevertheless, with the extremely complicated situation brought on by this conflict in northern Syria, many factions have used aid as a weapon to further their military and political influence. This has led to charges of stealing money, treating relief workers cruelly and exploiting weaker groups. Different organisations have looked at various approaches to solving this problem. The first key strategy is to deliver aid through impartial neutral channels with no links on either side of the dispute (Ferris, 2011). For example, Elkahlout and el-Gibali (2020) point out that the International Committee of the Red Cross demands neutrality from what it refers to as its operations in northern Syria. It is also a nonprofit and provides medical assistance for all in the war, regardless of party affiliation (Quadagno 1994).

In addition, one way that NGOs have been addressing the humanitarian crisis in Northern Syria is to assist according to need rather than politics. This means that rather than supporting aid distribution based on party affiliation, need assessments have to be carried out. For instance, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) adopted a needs-based humanitarian response strategy in Northern Syria (Alkhalil et al., 2022). The organisation regularly carries out needs assessments (OCHA, 2021) to identify which areas most require help so that aid is delivered according to need rather than political considerations. One key concept in humanitarian relief work is impartiality: not giving aid based on party or religious affiliation. However, because many groups have complicated things in Northern Syria, those fighting for it use aid to gain military and political power (Lawson 2012). This has led to charges of mistreating assistance workers, stealing money and exploiting weaker pockets. Concurrently, Megheirkouni (2016) observes that organisations have been looking at many different approaches to this problem.

A second approach adopted by NGOs to overcome the problem of impartiality in Northern Syria is that aid should be delivered only on a needs basis and not related, or targeted for political reasons (Meininghaus 2016). This implies that aid should be given after needs are assessed and allocated depending on a country’s vulnerability to a natural disaster and the political ties it has with donors. For instance, OCHA developed a needs-based approach in Northern Syria (Alkhalil, 2022). Because aid is delivered based on needs, rather than politics, this approach reduces the chances that charges of bias or favouritism will be levelled. Another key ingredient of humanitarian action is neutrality–being impartial in political terms and not picking sides. However, because the situation is so complex due to concurrent operations by several parties in Northern Syria, different groups have accused one another of violating humanitarian norms. Several ways of solving this problem have been explored by organisations. One such move is to ensure that assistance can only be provided by neutral, impartial channels unrelated to any of the parties in dispute (Meyer and Richardson Jané, 2021).

A second approach that organisations take to the question of maintaining neutrality in Northern Syria is simply to keep a low profile, and refuse to take sides during rowdy disputes or conflicts. Martínez and Eng (2016) point out that OCHA has a policy of not helping either side in disputes or conflicts, and maintaining political neutrality. Distributing aid according to need rather than politics reduces the likelihood of allegations of partiality or prejudice. Another main one is independence: humanitarian action must not be linked to political or military objectives. It can be stated that due to the complications arising from several parties in action here, it was only natural that claims of violations of humanitarian norms by various troops would raise their heads.

Many approaches to deal with this problem have been investigated by organisations. One possible approach is to ensure that aid is provided through neutral, impartial channels not connected with any of the combatants’ sides (Leenders and Mansour 2018). In Northern Syria the problem of independence is solved in part by a strategy used by groups: to separate humanitarian activities from those involving political or military objectives. For instance, the policy framework for OCHA’s humanitarian response in Northern Syria prioritizes independence from political or military goals (Leenders and Mansour, 2018). Rendering aid based on need instead of politics is one way to reduce the chance that people will charge someone with prejudice or favouritism.

2.2.3.   Lack of funding and impact on humanitarian assistance in Northern Syria

Ferris and Kirisci (2016) elucidated that the Syrian displacement crisis prompts inquiries into the relationship between conflict resolution efforts and humanitarian assistance for victims, highlighting the constraints of humanitarian response, especially when implemented extensively, in resolving political problems (Ferris and Kirisci, 2016). The prolonged duration of the crisis necessitates that the international community goes beyond providing relief aid and instead implements developmental strategies to facilitate the integration of refugees into their host communities. Doocy, Tappis and Lyles (2016) found that there is a limited number of humanitarian funds for Northern Syria to assist the people. Inadequate funding for the 2022 Syrian relief operations has resulted in a reduction in the amount of aid available to individuals in need (Alkhalil, 2022).  Due to the careful distribution of humanitarian organisations’ limited resources, many individuals who are in need do not get the help they need. Meanwhile, a lack of supplies is making it difficult for volunteers in Northern Syria to help everyone in need. Based on the study by Akik et al. (2020), if labourers are not properly trained, it can be more difficult for groups to offer specialist care, like housing, medical treatment, clean water and sanitation services. 

The war in Syria has already been going on for a long time. Many people need aid and cannot find shelter anywhere (Aburas, 2018). Humanitarian supplies are held up in the Syrian area of Idlib because nobody has any money there. Eliste et al. (2022) indicate that of the $ 3.8 billion required for a humanitarian response in Syria, only 44 % has been donated so far As a result of this fiscal imbalance, the supply of basic services such as healthcare, education and water and sanitation have contracted drastically. This financial choke has been catastrophic for humanitarian assistance in northern Syria (Taleb et al., 2015). As a result of budget constraints, their response to the cholera epidemic in Idlib was scaled down by 75 % (Amnesty International, 2022b). This reduced reactivity has led to an increase in the number of cholera victims and fatalities. Likewise, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has revealed that a lack of finances led them to shut down several establishments in northern Syria. Many people’s ability to seek help with medical care was seriously reduced by this move (Médecins Sans Frontières [MSF], International 2021).

The complicated political situation in northern Syria has made the effect of budgetary constraints on humanitarian assistance worse (Margesson and Chesser, 2014). Numerous armed factions, most notably Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have declared themselves terrorist organisations and the US and the UK are among those that govern the area. McGoldrick (2015) claims that it is now more difficult for humanitarian actors to contact impacted persons and provide assistance due to the existence of these armed organisations. Some occurrences, including kidnappings, robberies and assaults on aid convoys, have targeted humanitarian actors and their goods due to this uncertainty (Van Brabant, 2000). In addition, other approaches exist to lessen the difficulties faced by humanitarian groups operating in the northern region of Syria. Nonetheless, Balcik and Beamon (2008) stressed that greater financing is needed for programmes that provide humanitarian help. Funding for basic services like healthcare, education and access to clean water and sanitary facilities should be a top priority for donors. At the same time,  political engagement is required to resolve the complex political situation in northern Syria (Saaida, 2023). The primary objective of this involvement should be to find a political solution to the situation that prioritises the safety of people and grants access to humanitarian actors. Thus, Erameh (2017) proposed that more robust security measures are required to protect humanitarian actors working in northern Syria.

2.3.       Literature Gap

Humanitarian organisations have spent enormous efforts in Northern Syria to model humanitarian principles and yet there are still challenges that create knowledge gaps. These require further investigation before they can be properly addressed. One such gap relates to the access and insecurity faced by these organisations while implementing humanitarian standards. Maxwell and Gelsdorf (2019) point out that humanitarian interventions in complex, sensitive political environments have been hampered by unexpected negative outcomes such as triggering conflict or uprooting people. To overcome these obstacles, humanitarian organisations must undertake thorough assessments of the political and social environment; and reach out to local communities and other representatives from governmental agencies or civil society organisations to find out their preferences and priorities through interviews with community representatives.

They should work directly with partners on the ground (Pacific Links Foundation) so that interventions are cult Yet in such an environment, there is little research on the best ways to ensure access and security. Another information gap lies in insufficient funding for humanitarian relief operations in Northern Syria. The Syrian displacement crisis has prompted questions about how to coordinate disparate efforts at conflict resolution and humanitarian assistance for the suffering population. (Ferris and Kirisci, 2016). Besides providing developmental strategies that are needed to enable refugees to integrate into the economies of their host countries, more work needs to be done on how relief aid and implementation of such strategies should be balanced out in actual conflict zones.

In addition, more research is needed on how to ensure that humanitarian organisations will have enough resources to assist all those in need, especially in remote and difficult-to-access areas (Alkhalil et al., 2022). In addition, further research is needed about how to overcome the difficulties of maintaining neutrality, independence, impartiality and humanity in Northern Syria. Humanitarian organisations attempt to assist the victims on a basis of need rather than political considerations, but many politicians and factions are using it as a tool to seek military and political ends (Megheirkouni, 2016). One apparent solution to this problem is for organisations to deliver aid via neutral, impartial channels with no connection to either side in the dispute (Ferris, 2011). Another, according to the OCHA, is to deliver aid based on need, not politics (OCHA, 2021). Nevertheless, there is still much to research about how best to implement these strategies. Furthermore, there is still a lack of understanding about how to deal with allegations of abusing relief workers, stealing money and victimising weaker populations (Elkahlout and Elgibali, 2020).

2.4.       Conceptual Framework

Humanitarian principles and their implementation “a case study of Northern Syria”

Independent Variable: Armed Conflicts and Displacement of Civilians

Dependent Variable: Implementation of Humanitarian Principles

Control Variable: Political and Economic Factors impacting humanitarian aid

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

Given the existence of armed conflict and the forced displacement of people in Northern Syria, whether humanitarian principles can be implemented here by humanitarian organisations becomes an independent variable. One moderating variable is the cultural and religious beliefs of the affected population and of the humanitarian organisations, which determine how these principles are interpreted and applied. The dependent variable will be the extent to which humanitarian principles–humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence, are being put into practice by humanitarian organisations in North Syria. The intervening variable is the degree of access and safety for humanitarian organisations in areas that have been affected, which can influence whether the aid and services provided by those groups reach their intended targets. Economic and political factors-such as sanctions, embargoes and diplomatic relations among parties involved-can affect the overall effectiveness of the humanitarian response in Northern Syria.

 

 

3 Chapter 3: Research Methodology

3.1 Chapter Introduction

This chapter provides an extensive amount of information regarding the research methods. The Saunders research onion model (see Fig. 2) is the research model that will be used in this work. This chapter examines the research approach, the choice of research, strategies and methods for collecting data, sampling size and techniques, data analysis and ethical issues. Additionally, a summary of the chapter is provided at the end of this chapter.

Figure 2: Research Methodology; Source: (Melnikovas, 2018)

3.2 Research Methods and Techniques

In this research, the primary method of qualitative research was employed and 20 humanitarian participants from northern Syria have been interviewed. Hence the researcher has chosen the interpretivist research philosophy. In this study, interpretive research philosophy is used to explore the humanitarian principles and their practice in northern Syria. This philosophy contributes to obtaining deeper and more useful insights about a surveyed area. This philosophy has allowed me to realize the positive side of humanitarian principles that operate in Northern Syria and also discover their negative implications. Likewise, the interpretivism research philosophy is useful for data analysis, and quantitative therefore, it was also used in this study.

Statistical tools are used in quantitative research to look for trends, correlations and tendencies that can be applied to large amounts of data. Its main goal is to measure variables objectively and test theories (Yusup, Naufal and Hardini, 2018). In contrast, Tracy (2019) stated that qualitative research focuses on gathering in-depth information by using interviews, observations and textual analysis. The qualitative method focuses on understanding the research question and its context. In this research qualitative research methods will be used. The qualitative research method can demonstrate how deep and complicated a person’s experiences are related to humanitarian principles and their implementation considering the case study of Northern Syria. Also, it can give a bigger picture that ways using quantitative numbers cannot. (Moser and Korstjens, 2018) By collecting information from people, this method can be changed to fit discoveries and ideas.

3.3 Research Approach

For this research, the researcher will use inductive reasoning to determine how much human rights standards are followed in Northern Syria. This way, the researcher can use certain meanings and data to find general rules. This way of research is trying to see patterns and things that affect following rules in one particular situation. Researchers made this choice so they can learn more about the complicated problems that come up when it comes to human rights in Northern Syria.

3.4 Research Choice

According to GHR and Aithal (2022), the research choice is a recognised method to collect, analyse, and make sense of information. In this research methods mono method will be used to inquire into the thoughts and experiences of people working as humanitarians in Northern Syria. Reasons for this choice include efficient use of resources, accessibility to the study population from a distance, reliability of data and the necessity for comprehensive research. The mono method allows to use of a single standard set of questions, and this makes sure that the data is uniform and easy to compare.

3.5 Research Strategies

Wilson (2014) stated that research strategies are the procedures and methods that are utilised in the process of data collection. Some examples of research strategies are focus groups, observations, and interviews. The method of research that can be utilised in this investigation is going to be interviews that are only semi-structured. The implementation of this strategy enable collection of the perspectives and experiences of humanitarian participants operating in Northern Syria. The interviews can be open-ended, that can be responsible for participants the opportunity to discuss about their thoughts and ideas in greater detail.

3.6 Data Collection Methods

In qualitative studies, collecting data means receiving data that is not numerical, like observations, views and practices (Ahmad et al., 2019). Semi-structured interviews will be used to gather data and information for this study about the way people in Northern Syria pay attention to humanitarian standards. Ponizovsky-Bergelson et al. (2019) found that interviews can include open-ended questions that allow subjects to give rich, detailed information. Semi-structured conversations let the look at the subject from different angles and learn more about it. By conducting these interview, they anticipate to get some primary information that can help to get a better understanding of the way humanitarian values are followed in Northern Syria.

3.7 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size

Sampling methods are important in research because they allow the research of a population by gathering and analysing data. A purposeful sampling method can be used in this research on the way individuals in Northern Syria follow humanitarian ideals (Fisher, 2022). This means that individuals who want to take part can be selected based on the amount they know about doing humanitarian work in the region. Moreover, individuals need to get information from participants that are directly helping with the humanitarian crisis in Northern Syria by using purposive sampling. This way, people can be sure that research includes their thoughts and experiences. The sample size of this research consists of 20 humanitarian participants.  This includes participants from both foreign and local groups so that a lot of different points of view can be addressed. With this sample size, it is believed that enough people to get a lot of different kinds of information that can help to get an accurate assessment of the way devoted people are to humanitarian ideals in Northern Syria. The purpose of selecting these respondents is that they have the most effective academic knowledge about the current study. These are, in addition, connected with humanitarian principles in Northern Syria, and still, they have been found quite useful in the main study.

3.8 Data Analysis

Thematic analysis is the method that will be used in this research. According to Braun and Clarke (2022), thematic analysis is a qualitative method that helps to find trends or themes in data, analyse them and report them. Thematic analysis seems the best way to go for research goals and the type of data people got from semi-structured interviews. Primarily theme analysis suits well with the objective of looking into the extent that humanitarian principles are followed in Northern Syria. By looking at the interview data that is qualitative, people can find and understand recurrent themes that are connected to the subject.

This method can help to understand the thoughts, feelings and difficulties that people working in humanitarian causes have when it comes to applying humanitarian principles in this situation. In contrast, Bergin (2018) claims that statistical analysis is a strong way to look at numerical data, but it is not suitable for this research   as it looks at qualitative data from interviews. The focus of this research is not statistical analysis that needs a big sample size and numerical data. In the same way, Tedeschi (2022) examine that analytical analysis, which uses math models and complicated algorithms to look at data, is not appropriate for this research. This method is usually used to look at huge amounts of numeric data, but it is unsuitable for qualitative data. Therefore, thematic analysis is the best method for this research goals because it provide to find and understand themes in qualitative data. Because of the type of data available and the subject of the study, statistical and analytical analysis methods are not appropriate for this research.

3.9 Ethical Consideration

Protecting the rights and well-being of study participants is a very important ethical issue. Several ethical issues can be examined in this research. As per study of Blades et al. (2018), all participants provide their informed permission, indicating they know what the study is about, what their rights are along with what risks or benefits can be associated with getting part. The individuals who take part in the study are also told that they can quit at any time without any consequences. During the whole research process, privacy can be valued. The names of the participants can be kept secret, and any information that could be used to identify them is going to be removed out or made anonymous when the data is analysed and reported. The data can be kept safely, and only approved researchers are allowed to get to it. Furthermore, Cheung (2018) stated that the researcher additionally makes sure that the information gathered is only used for the study and is not misused or shared with the public without the subjects’ permission. To protect the participants’ rights and privacy, strict rules and ethical standards are going to be used. By following these ethical guidelines, the researcher plans to conduct the research sincerely, with respect for the participants’ right to privacy, and with the greatest dedication to ethical research methods.

3.10 Chapter Summary

This chapter discusses the research methods and tools that will be used to do the research on the way humanitarian ideals are put into practice in Northern Syria. Because the subject is so complicated, the Saunders study onion model will be used, with a focus on qualitative research methods. In this case, an inductive method will be used to find trends and factors that affect people’s adherence to humanitarian principles. One of the main ways that data is gathered is through semi-structured interviews with 20 humanitarian participants from both foreign and local groups. Thematic analysis was chosen as the method for data analysis because it lets find recurring themes that are related to the subject. There are also ethical issues that are discussed about, like informed permission, privacy and data security.

 

 

4 Chapter 4: Data Analysis

4.1 Chapter Introduction

In this chapter, the data analysis is presented, which has been conducted based on the interview responses from the participants of the study. The purpose was to discover what kind of challenges are faced and what strategies are used by the relief agencies while they are trying to provide humanitarian assistance in the region with the complex socio-political situation. The chapter discusses the development of themes by means of thematic analysis method and a systematic review of interview data, and shows the salient points on security and access challenges, innovative approaches to delivery of aid, effect of funding barriers, donors’ priorities and accountability, and the role of local cooperation and participation in humanitarian operations. Every theme is explored and the interview responses are used as the main source of information. Additionally, the existing literature about the topic is consulted to provide the critical comments and views about the theme. The solving of data analysis will give a new contribution to the existing body of knowledge on humanitarian action and offer evidence-based practices for addressing the humanitarian needs of the populations in Northern Syria.

4.2 Themes Development

Based on the data collected from interviewees, the following table depicts the development of themes of this study, highlighting the core concepts related to humanitarian principles implementation in Northern Syria.

 

Interview responses	Codes	Themes
Interviewee 5: “The core issues we have encountered in applying humanitarian principles in Syria’s north are mostly security concerns and a lack of access to affected areas. The complicated nature of the conflict makes it problematic to reach at-risk populations and deliver aid properly.” Interviewee 9: “A complex security environment and logistic impediments that make it hard to access the most remote areas are the main challenges for applying humanitarian principles in Northern Syria. This affects our ability to reach the neediest.”	Security Challenges ·         Armed conflict hindering aid delivery ·         Roadblocks and checkpoints by armed groups ·         Threats to the safety of humanitarian workers	Security and Access Challenges
Interviewee 1: “I can still remember that time that the security issue at the time when we were transporting the relief goods to Northern Syria forced us to postpone the mission. Not only that, this also exposed our colleagues to the risk of their lives.” Interviewee 15: “We experienced the other week while on the field of delivery that armed groups place obstacles at the checkpoints which caused delays of essential supplies for the displaced population from northern Syria. Barriers and threats to security are the ones that we come faced with and they are a huge challenge to our operations.
Interviewee 3: “The approach which has been beneficial for us is closely working with community leaders and the relevant authorities. Through these partnerships, we have managed to cross hurdles and even reach the difficult corners and successfully distribute the aid.” Interviewee 18: “Replicating the strategy that worked well has been harnessing grassroots distribution networks through a mobilization of volunteers and leaders. This has had the impact of forging good networks to reach the marginalized areas, and ensuring that aid is given equally.”	Access Constraints ·         Logistical hurdles in reaching remote areas ·         Limited access due to political and security dynamics ·         Barriers to accessing vulnerable populations
Interviewee 2: “In my practice, I have found that setting up mobile clinics in conflict-affected areas has been a fruitful activity. These clinics are the channel through which the displaced people get the essential medical care they would have lacked without adequate healthcare services otherwise.” Interviewee 10: “I’ve seen how the cash assistance programs in Northern Syria are helping people. By giving people financial support directly, we make them able to take specific steps to fulfil their own needs and also help to keep their dignity in the humanitarian assistance.”
Interviewee 7: “The effect of fewer resources on our operations in Northern Syria is that we can’t offer full services for the destitute people. This has caused us to scale-down our activities, thus fewer services and support have been rendered to residents who are in dire need.” Interviewee 16: “Our availability of resources has made us have to give priority to some treatments over the other, therefore, service provision gaps because we had to make tough choices by deciding which communities receive help while the vulnerable groups have remained underserved.”	Funding Constraints ·         Prioritization of interventions ·         Gaps in service provision ·         Challenges in meeting the needs of underserved communities	Impact of Funding Constraints
Interviewee 13: “The modus operandi of aid delivery in Northern Syria has changed throughout time. In the beginning, it was the cross-border operations that were more frequent, but more recently, the partnerships with local organisations and the cross-line activities are the ones that are preferred.” Interviewee 5: “Long-standing cross-border operations were critical to providing humanitarian aid to Northern Syria, yet there have been more recent changes in the geopolitical landscape and new delivery mechanisms like mobile clinics and cash transfers are used now that rely more on local partners.”	Methods of Aid Delivery ·         Cross-border operations ·         Local partnerships and engagement ·         Use of technology (e.g., social media campaigns, virtual fundraising events)	Innovative Strategies for Aid Delivery
Interviewee 19: “In times of financial cutting, we have involved our population in crowd funding campaigns and established close ties with private donors to guarantee the financing of the humanitarian projects that we do in Northern Syria.” Interviewee 17: “To address the funding shortage, we created social media campaigns and online fundraisers to get support from people around the world. Furthermore, we have looked for corporate sponsors to sustain our humanitarian projects financially.”	Successful Strategies ·         Community-based distribution networks ·         Cash assistance programs ·         Innovative delivery mechanisms (e.g., mobile clinics, cash transfers)
Interviewee 8: “Donors tend to give precedence to projects that show tangible outcomes and match their organisational goals. Additionally, they assess the level of risk involved in working on humanitarian issues in war-torn regions.” Interviewee 1: “Funders tend to favour projects that clearly illustrate sustainability and long-term impact. They require evidence of community inclusion and participation, as well as reporting systems that are transparent so that they can track the projects’ progress.”	Donor Priorities ·         Emphasis on sustainability and long-term impact ·         Importance of community engagement and participation ·         Transparency and accountability in reporting mechanisms	Donor Priorities and Accountability
Interviewee 12: “Community-based organisations must be at the heart of the humanitarian response to gaps and challenges. This is because this kind of organisation has the needed local contexts understanding and networking to develop comprehensive, effective strategies.” Interviewee 10: “NGOs within the community play the role of intermediaries between humanitarian agencies and affected populations. Their established networks within the community help direct the delivery of services more accurately and effectively.”	Role of Community-Based Organisations ·         Trusted intermediaries between humanitarian actors and communities ·         Deep-rooted connections facilitating targeted responses ·         Local expertise and understanding of community needs	Role of Local Partnerships and Engagement
Interviewee 4: “Mutually understanding attitudes and joint efforts among humanitarian organisations, local administrations, and community groups are based on a shared interest, openness, and common goals. Hence, the cooperation promotes an effective response to the needs of affected children in Northern Syria.” Interviewee 7: “Collaboration is the key to success in partnerships. Together with local authorities and community leaders, we can solve coordination problems, and develop the best ways to help the destitute.”	Effective Partnerships ·         Mutual respect and shared decision-making ·         Collaboration with local authorities and community leaders ·         Navigating complex operational environments through partnerships

 

4.3 Discussion

4.3.1 Theme 1: Security and Access Challenges in Humanitarian Operations

The interviewees’ answers pinpointed the far-reaching nature of these issues and demonstrated their potential for humanitarian aid in terms of its effectiveness in caring for the most vulnerable. The participants concentrate on the security and access problems faced by aid workers in Northern Syria which are the factors influencing the implementation of their work. These barriers are characterized by the fight, the checkpoints and the danger that the humanitarian workers face, which end up limiting the humanitarian aid delivery considerably. Along with that, problems like transportation bottlenecks and politics that are the barriers to international assistance are the factors that make the state of need for international help even worse. These research findings, like the ones on the operations of humanitarian principles in Northern Syria, show that the field is a complex one and many obstacles are to be overcome. The literature and the reports clearly show different risks that humanitarian workers are exposed to like the attacks on aid convoys, kidnapping of aid workers and civilians who are randomly killed (Jennifer Maxwell and M. Gelsdorf, 2019). Although the lives of humanitarian workers are the most visible security challenges, these also hinder the urgent and vital provision of rescue to the people in need. Moreover, problems such as bureaucracy and bureaucratic obstacles, government restrictions and the frontline becoming shifted further away from the humanitarian operations conducted in Northern Syria are some of the barriers (Howe and Stites, 2019). Humanitarian agencies sometimes experience difficulties in organising pass safety and obtaining consent from various armed groups and authorities to reach the people affected. This is a network of security and access issues that is dauntingly demanding and makes it hard for the humanitarian principles to be implemented in Northern Syria. In the interview answers, the humanitarian actors have provided first-hand accounts of the security and access problems.

4.3.2 Theme 2: Impact of Funding Constraints on Humanitarian Operations in Northern Syria

The accounts about humanitarian principles in Northern Syria in the literature are in line with the interview outcomes, indicating how the funding limitations have permeated the different humanitarian operations. Research and data reveal that humanitarian appeals for Syrians are chronically underfunded, which means there isn’t enough money to achieve the desired impact of aid programs (Canton, 2021). The extended nature of the conflict, and the occurrence of other global crises, have generated a donor apathetic and a low level of financial aid for the Syrian humanitarian efforts (Al-Mohammad, 2020). Furthermore, the politics of aid along with donors’ preferences have been significantly meddled with, adding to funding imbalances and inequalities (Denselow, 2019). The interview responses provide the real-life experiences of humanitarian organisations in terms of financial resources constraints which in turn offer an intricate understanding of what is the impact of the financial shortages. The gained insights are only a clearer reminder about the need for increased funding and unflagging efforts from the side of donors to meet the humanitarian requirements of the displaced in Northern Syria. Although it is crucial to acknowledge the shortcomings and obstacles working towards solving the funding gap in Northern Syria, it is equally crucial to recognize the complexity of the situation. Although the need for additional funding is vital for humanitarian organisations to deliver informative and impactful operations, the money alone is not the cure for the complex problems of the region. Such problems of uneven donor priorities, political issues and bureaucratic obstacles may continue to result in the inequitable and inefficient distribution of resources, which requires the search for alternative approaches together with the advocacy of the relevant issues.

4.3.3 Theme 3: Innovative Strategies for Aid Delivery in Northern Syria

The theme of innovative means of aid delivery in Northern Syria covers the daring ways and the programs used by the humanitarian agencies to deal with the different difficulties and barriers that they face in the course of supplying aid to the affected communities. Humanitarian agencies have implemented several creative tactics to bring relief to the North of Syria which interviewees mentioned. These approaches, such as combined border operations, local affluence, needs-based evaluation, and technology utilization for remoteness support, will be carried out. Humanitarian agencies can bypass the access restrictions by functioning through cross-border operations and supplying aid from neighbouring countries which are Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan or Iraq. Joint work with the local authorities and community-based organisations increases the impact and enriches the delivery of the aid by facilitating access to the affected populations. In such cases, needs-based assessments are designed to ensure that help is allocated according to the agenda and desired needs of the communities, instead of political interests. Besides, technology became an enabling factor for humanitarian organisations to conduct their activities in areas inaccessible and hard to reach through mobile apps and remote monitoring systems.

The literature on the implementation of humanitarian principles in Northern Syria supports the stories from the interviews by highlighting the need to use creative strategies to deal with the complicated operational environment. Articles and reports show that operations across the border are crucial for easing access restrictions and delivering humanitarian assistance to the besieged and hard-to-reach zones (Walker, 2020). Furthermore, local partnerships have also been identified as a prerequisite for gaining access to these communities as well as acceptance from the affected communities for the relevance and sustainability of humanitarian interventions (Khalaf, 2015). Needs-based assessments are considered among the most important tools for aid delivery because they help prioritize assistance based on what provides the most urgent relief to populations affected by crises and this leads to the effectiveness and accountability of aid delivery (Canton, 2021). Besides, applying technology is now very common to enhance the efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of humanitarian operations in Northern Syria. The interview responses of humanitarian organisations working in Northern Syria give real stories of the innovative ways that they have found to tackle the difficulties of aid delivery. These are of great practical importance in showing effectiveness at the local level. These learnings are a great sign of the efficacy of the adaptive and contextual approach for addressing the complex and dynamic nature of the conflict.

4.3.4 Theme 4: Donor Priorities and Accountability in Humanitarian Operations in Northern Syria

Northern Syria’s theme of donor priorities and accountability in humanitarian operations illustrates the key role of donors in aid delivery and the systems present for monitoring transparency, effectiveness, and accountability of resource allocation. The speakers pointed out that the donor priorities of the donors were one of the major factors that have been determining the nature of the humanitarian interventions and the fund allocations in Syria’s Northern region. They highlighted the importance of humanitarian agencies in linking their programs and initiatives with donors’ interests and priorities and the funding criteria to receive financial support and operate continually. Furthermore, respondents emphasised ensuring donors that the organisation is accountable, transparent, and impactful and these are being done through well-established monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems. They pointed out the difficulty of considering donor expectations and the humanitarian mission at the same time to put the needs and rights of the affected populations before everything else, especially in situations where money is tight and there are many priorities to consider. The interviews emphasized the role of humanitarian organisations in managing the complex donor landscapes, developing relevant programs in line with donor criteria and showing accountability and transparency to acquire the necessary funding and keep operations going. Nevertheless, the call of the day is that donors’ expectations and funding requirements may on occasion impair the capability of organisations to prioritize the concerns of the affected people, thus raising questions about instrumentalism, politicization and program distortion (Meyer and Richardson Jané, 2021). Additionally, it shows the issue with donor-oriented agendas and the funding flow, which have a negative impact on the humanitarian interventions in Northern Syria. Donor priorities sometimes may not match the most urgent needs and the fundamental principles of humanitarian work, which in turn might result in gaps, inefficiencies and inequities in relief operations. In addition, donor dependence on outside funding sources and an outward-looking donor agenda unnaturally redirect the country’s ownership of the process, participation and sustainability of humanitarian action which in turn keeps affected communities dependent and disenfranchised.Top of Form

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4.3.5 Theme 5: Role of Local Partnerships and Engagement in Humanitarian Operations in Northern Syria

The interviewees based their accounts on the significant contribution of community partners and engagement towards the success of the humanitarian operations in Northern Syria. They showed that these local organisations and community groups have first-hand knowledge of the area, the security landscape and the local community, plus the ability to navigate complex administrative procedures, which are all key to the success of security missions. Humanitarian organisations can rely on local partnerships to get to remote areas mobilize community engagement and ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of relief programs (Emmanuel, 2018). In addition, local actors are indispensable in bridging the gap between humanitarian organisations and affected communities; they ensure that the impact of disaster is reduced, trust and accountability are built, and the community is empowered to participate in decision-making processes. Collaboration with local partners is crucial for delivering aid locally and enabling communities to become independent as well as strengthening their resilience against chronic crises and recurring challenges (DFID, 2018). Humanize the sentence: The interview responses manifest the need for the use of local knowledge, skills, and good networks to overcome operational challenges and deliver services to the affected people. Humanitarian coalitions can be tailored to the distinct demands of isolated communities and adjusted to a specific context to improve responsiveness, and the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of humanitarian efforts. Local partnerships can be crucial in the globalization of aid while putting the power in the hands of the communities and increasing ownership and accountability of the affected people. Nevertheless, problems, such as coordination voids, financial limitations, and security risks may impede the effective involvement of local actors in humanitarian operations; thus, the need for systemic support, cooperation, and advocacy efforts to deal with these obstacles cannot be ignored.

4.3.6 Insights Gained from Data Analysis

The data analysis proved the all-encompassing nature of security challenges, for example, armed conflict, as well as road blocks and attacks on the security of aid workers. The limitation in access due to logistical problems and political dynamics just makes it worse to deliver help to vulnerable groups. There are lots of challenges for humanitarian workers to be able to deliver aid successfully during the complicated security context of North Syria. Financial constraints are a significant problem that humanitarian activities face in the Northern Syrian region. A leaner budget hampers agencies’ capacity, reach and coverage, as well as increases the competition for resources. Donors give preference to projects with a clear impact, sustainability, and alignment with a purpose of the organisation since it would allow them to track the organisation’s accountability, and transparency, and those are the key factors in determining the effectiveness of the resource allocation. Although the problem of access may seem insurmountable, humanitarian organisations have developed sophisticated methods and initiatives to overcome access constraints and ensure that the affected populations receive the needed assistance. Such strategies comprise joint operations across borders, cooperating with local partners, and figuring out the needs, and the technology which is used for remote assistance. Through the appropriate adjustment to the general operating scenario, humanitarian workers can ensure the relevance, efficiency and accountability of aid delivery in northern Syria. The donor-funded frameworks and funding dynamics decide the scope, scale and duration of the interventions which ultimately influence the organisations’ ability to continue to meet changing needs and preserve the humanitarian values. Humanitarian workers have to develop expertise in moving around intricate donors’ landscapes, offering programs that meet the criteria, and assuring accountability and transparency to secure financial support and continuation of the programs. The role of local actors in this humanitarian intervention is paramount as it would ensure the principles are implemented and aid reach the affected populations in Northern Syria. Local connections help humanitarian organisations to get to remote places, succeed in recruiting local support, and therefore, make their programs relevant and sustainable. Humanitarian actions can be reinforced through tapping into local knowledge, capabilities, and linkages. This will result in an effective, efficient, and accountable distribution of aid.Top of Form

4.4 Chapter Summary

In this chapter, an analysis has been presented, which was performed to collect data from the interviews with professionals in the humanitarian operations in Northern Syria. By applying thematic coding and thematic analysis, several main themes that clearly show the obstacles and dynamics of delivering humanitarian aid in the region have been highlighted. The tendency of security and access obstacles strengthens the importance of overcoming numerous and complicated security issues to provide aid to the neediest people during the complicated and dynamic security conditions of Northern Syria. The analysis provides a clear picture of how these problems are interconnected and underlines the necessity of using creativity and flexibility as a remedy. The topic of funding constraints is the major factor that shows how humanitarian organisations experience difficulties and suffer when they have insufficient finances. The chapter highlights the ramifications of funding insufficiency on the delivery of aid and humanitarian action—a conscious call to donors and reformers to contribute more and tackle the problem at its roots. Creativity has become a central idea as humanitarian charities tend to develop new inventive strategies that bypass the access challenges and bring help exactly to vulnerable populations. Humanitarian actors, using cross-border operations, local partnerships, needs-based assessments and technology-enabled solutions, have a great contribution to bettering the quality, relevance, efficiency and accountability of aid supply in Northern Syria.

In the context of aid delivery, concern for donor priorities and accountability is one of the key points which, to a great extent, shows how donor funding impacts the delivery of aid and the mechanisms that are in place to ensure transparency, efficiencies and accountability in resource allocation. Donor-driven agenda and funding dynamics, which were the major ones in consideration, were also considered criticall.

 

 

 

5 Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusion

This research has investigated the intricate context of the humanitarian assistance service being delivered in Northern Syria, drawing specific attention to the application of humanitarian principles in dealing with conflict, security threats, inadequacy of funding and changing social and political environment. Besides, qualitative methods of data collection have proved their efficiency by allowing for obtaining considerable insights into what obstacles the humanitarian workers deal with, how they perceive the situation, and the strategies they apply. The results of this study revealed the key point about the complex nature of humanitarian organisations in our capability to help those families who used to live in war situation in the northern part of Syria. The security and access conditions, the funding availability, and the donor priorities are all the primary factors which have either positive or negative effects on the effectiveness and geo-political scope of humanitarian interventions.

The primary factors influencing humanitarian interventions include the conflict, while on the borders, checkpoints and attacks on aid workers act as a barrier to the delivery of aid. Moreover, the dearth of funding means that some activities are designated as being more important than others, only a few organisations may do the same task, and there will be a logjam in the aid delivery process. Likewise, the political and donor whims fluctuate the funding allocation, usually favouring specific sectors or regions of interest rather than others. Global Compact

Furthermore, the involvement of local partnerships, creative solutions, and flexible approaches became fundamental to the process of overcoming the problematic situation and maintaining the relevancy and continuation of the aid efforts.

Besides, to achieve a balance between donor interests, funding mechanisms and operational reality humanitarian organisations should align donor interests with operational needs while ensuring that available funding is tailored to operations and needs. This goal can be realised through open forum communication with donors, keeping them informed and updated on operational challenges and funding use through reports, and simply building trust and understanding between the parties. In addition, wider funding sources can ensure accountability, and at the same time, facilitate seamless operations. Such a goal can be accomplished through the examination of alternative funding mechanisms including private sector alliances, crowd funding, and social impact investments that are unparalleled in terms of stability and reliability.

In addition, establishing cooperative relations with donors is of paramount importance because it is a way of communicating with donors, asking them to seek flexible agreements that consider operational challenges. Partnering with humanitarian agencies and donors helps to develop funding models that are more by the needs of targeted populations and keep flexibility, adaptability and innovation on the table during times of complex and ever-changing humanitarian crises. Thus, attaining sustainability in donor interests, funding models and operations necessitate transparency, accountability and collaboration, and also the preparedness of adjustment and evolution with changing contexts.

This research critically explored the views and life experiences of humanitarian actors to illuminate the dilemmas and compromises in the pursuit of satisfying donor expectations and humanitarian principles, and, in particular, meeting the needs of the people affected. Moreover, the results demonstrate a pressing demand for increased partnership, coordination, and responsibility of different stakeholders to overcome the systemic obstacles towards the humanitarian operations in Northern Syria.  The study revealed that the humanitarian actors have big challenges in meeting the donor opinions with principles of humanitarian while having ethical problems and compromise. The exposure to widespread problems like insufficient financial resources, narrow access, and weak coordination blocks efficient aid delivery in Northern Syria. To overcome the above-mentioned challenges statements, the study emphasises funds reform, full cooperation between the stakeholders, and prioritarianism of humanitarian principles. The employment of the methods related to the effectiveness of humanitarian response in Northern Syria can be enhanced and the accountability of stakeholders greatly improved hence achieving better outcomes for affected populations.

Therefore, this study is based on the opinions of those engaged in humanitarian activities, and it aims to provide the policy, practice, and advocacy efforts that are focused on promoting the rights, dignity, and well-being of the affected population in the region. The results of the research have shown that the Northern Syria humanitarian crisis needs to be treated with urgency and supported by solidarity and commitment from the entire community for the local people to be able to access the necessary aid and relief.

5.2 Recommendations

The safety of humanitarian workers operating in conflict areas is of paramount importance. Therefore, they must undertake thorough risk assessments, comply with security protocols, and work collaboratively with local authorities and community leaders to minimise risks and protect personnel (Aven and Zio, 2021).

Furthermore, collaborating with local organisations, community leaders, and authorities is vital. The main reason is that it helps in reaching out effectively to the affected populations, mobilizing support from the community, and ensuring that the aid effort remains relevant and sustainable. These are critical for effective management of complex operational environments (Azevedo, Bell and Medina, 2022).

Likewise, adapting and innovating to new circumstances is crucial as well; applying revolutionary approaches such as cross-border healthcare services, mobile clinics, cash assistance programs, and technology for remote assistance improves the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of aid delivery (Veeraiah et al., 2024).

Besides, continual promotion of donors’ contributions is necessary to address funding constraints; showing the influence of aid programs through the use of monitoring, assessing, and reporting methods by building credibility in the sustainability of this funding and allowing the programs to continue is crucial for long-term financial support and carrying out operations (Jiao et al., 2021).

The fundamental key is to make sure that humanitarian principles like neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity are given much more weight; putting the needs and rights of the affected populations first, making sure that assistance is being delivered equally, and recognizing the dignity and the respect of those affected while promoting accountability is what makes humanitarian aid principled.

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