"Humanitarian Operations in Conflict Settings:
The Case of Emergency Response in Syria"
GSN Study e-Broad @ CRS
October 21st - November 1st 2013
Zarqa, Jordan
Syrian refugee Abdullah, 3 years old from Aleppo whilst while his father receives blankets and a hygiene kit from Caritas Jordan staff members at their center in Zarqa on October 19, 2012. Caritas Jordan has been providing aid to an increasing number of Syrian refugees in Jordan. The Caritas team has distributed blankets, heaters, bed linens, quilts, towels, plastic mats, sanitary pads, mattresses, jerry cans, pillows, milk bags, school bags, school kits, hygienic kits and food items to refugee families.
This session will highlight the way CRS approaches emergency response in conflict areas, focusing on the recent conflict in Syria and its impact on civilians. Through documentary film footage, articles, and expert testimony, students will learn about the history of the conflict and regional tensions, the living conditions of those displaced by the conflict, and the core principles that guide humanitarian assistance and protection.
The session will explore CRS’s commitment to peace-building in conflict settings and highlight the concrete assistance work CRS is doing with displaced Syrians. Students will be encouraged to consider what they can do to become more aware of and advocate for the vulnerable in insecure regions of the world.
Ways to Participate:
STUDY - Read the essay(s)/watch the video(s) that your professor assigns.
BLOG - Post your reflections and respond to student posts on our GSN Blog.
INTERACT w/ CRS - Email your questions to a CRS expert
Review the resources assigned by your professor.
CRS Resources:
1.) CRS Lecture – “And You Welcomed Me: Supporting Syrian Refugees in Lebanon and Jordan,” Wednesday, August 22, 2012, Presenters: Dr. Stephen Colecchi (USCCB), Caroline Brennand and Vivian Manneh (CRS) This is an overview of CRS’s concrete efforts to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan and the principles that guide CRS’s work.
2.) CRS Lecture - “The Shrinking Humanitarian Space,” October 26th, 2012, by Mark Schnellbaecher, senior CRS staff member in the Middle East. Schnellbaecher outlines the complexity and range of actors involved in humanitarian work in the field today and CRS’s commitment to protection and assistance.
3.) Caritas blog – “Aid Workers Diary” Caritas Communications Officer, Laura Sheahen, describes four days of visits to Caritas centers in Lebanon and Jordan where Syrian refugees receive food, medical care, and more.
4.) CRS Core Protection Training Modules –Excerpts from CRS field staff training manual with information on the legal frameworks and guiding principles of humanitarian assistance and protection.
1.) “The Battle For Syria: Frontline journeys to the heart of the Syrian insurgency,” This film is approximately forty minutes in length. Part one features narrated footage of a reporter’s embedding with members of the Syrian insurgency. Part two details the background and regional implications of the conflict.
2.) “Saving the Lives of Syria’s Refugees,” by Stacy Martin, Vice President for Mission and Advancement, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Martin provides theological framing, policy imperatives, and a brief discussion of the role of the US government (and others such as UNHCR’s Syria Regional Refugee Response) in responding the Syrian refugee crisis.
3.) “Child Refugees Describe Life in Syria,” These are short video clips from September 2012 featuring children in refugee camps produced in conjunction with Save the Children Syria.
Coming soon.
- Sign up to become a GSN Member
- Select the session "Emergency Response - Syria".
- Post your reflection and response to other student postings.
- Be sure to sign your name and class so your professor can identify your work.
- Email your question to campus@crs.org
- Join a Live Webcast
- Watch a Recorded Webcast
- Email campus@crs.org.
