The Syrian Arab RedCrescent and theInternationalCommittee of the RedCross: A truepartnership to helpthe most vulnerable*

PHOTO GALLERY

Figure 1. The SARC and the ICRC work together for the people of Syria. © SARC.

* Special thanks to Laudi Sarji and Ola Abo Kchachabeh for their work in the preparation of this photogallery.

International Review of the Red Cross (2017), 99 (3), 885–895.Conflict in Syriadoi:10.1017/S1816383119000122

© icrc 2019 885

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the International Committee of the RedCross (ICRC) have stood shoulder to shoulder in partnership to help the mostvulnerable and address the needs of millions of people throughout Syria.Particularly since 2011, the two organizations have collaborated to respond todiverse humanitarian needs with the ultimate goal of protecting human dignity.

Through humanitarian work carried out under the mantra “For all peopleeverywhere”, SARC volunteers have been deployed in the field, delivering aid viahundreds of humanitarian convoys throughout the crisis, often in collaborationwith the ICRC. Seeking access to besieged areas and providing humanitarianassistance to alleviate the suffering of people are objectives that the SARC andICRC have not abandoned. This has required coordination with relevantauthorities, all parties to the conflict and other stakeholders. Many times, theSARC and the ICRC have crossed the front lines to evacuate people in need ofmedical care to other areas so they could receive adequate treatment that was nototherwise available.

Figure 2. Crossing the front lines to provide humanitarian relief. © SARC.

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Driven by their commitment to the principles of the International Red Crossand Red Crescent Movement, the SARC and ICRC work together to respond tohumanitarian needs across Syria, including directly providing medical services,ensuring those in hard-to-reach areas can receive medical assistance, delivery of aidconvoys, ensuring internally displaced people (IDPs) have access to food and basicnecessities, equipping IDP shelters, and helping to restore family links.

Figure 3. Arrival of a humanitarian convoy at Der Al-Zour. © SARC.

Figure 4. Evacuation of people in need from Aleppo. © SARC.

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Not a target

The SARC and ICRC emphasize the protection of their personnel and volunteers. Itis a key norm of international humanitarian law that humanitarian volunteers andstaff are not a target. Despite this, sixty-five SARC volunteers have sacrificed theirlives for the sake of their humanitarian duty. SARC facilities and vehicles havealso been badly damaged.

Figure 5. Joint convoy to Aleppo. © SARC.

Figure 6. The SARC has tragically lost sixty-five volunteers who have sacrificed their lives inpursuit of their humanitarian mission. © SARC.

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Emad’s story

SARC volunteer paramedic Emad Hamed will never quite forget 21 February 2018.“I was aware of the serious responsibility and risk of being a SARC volunteer since Ijoined in 2013, but this did not discourage me from trying to help those in mycommunity who are in need”, the 32-year-old says, referring to his work withfirst-aid teams at the Rural Damascus branch of the SARC.

At 11:30 p.m. on 21 February 2018, the local SARC team received a reportabout shells dropped on a neighbourhood in Douma. Emad hurried to the area withtwo colleagues to evacuate families from their homes and aid wounded people.Upon their arrival, the ambulance in which they were travelling was hit. “At thatmoment, I could no longer hear anything and we suffered burns before we couldexit the car”, he recalls. Emad lost hearing in his left ear in August 2018.

His fellow paramedics treated Emad and other volunteers who weresuffering from multiple injuries, varying from first- and second-degree burns ontheir hands, faces and scalps to multiple shrapnel wounds on their bodies. Inspite of the fateful day he will never forget, Emad resumed his humanitarianduties once he had recovered. Volunteering “flows in my veins”, he says.

“I am proud to be a member of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent team sincethey have a humanitarian impact in the harsh circumstances that our country hasfaced. We have never fallen short of our duties and we will stay equally dedicated.”

Figure 7. SARC paramedic Emad Hamed says volunteering flows in his veins. © SARC.

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Walking again with hope

Like other countries that have seen conflict, Syria has not been spared from theconsequences of people losing limbs.

Losing a limb can have a terrible impact far beyond the person who hasbeen injured. There are patients who have difficulty finding work, providing foodfor their families or managing their household tasks. There are children who areunable to play and move as their friends do, and may not complete their education.

The SARC and the ICRC provide physical rehabilitation and other services,which for many have restored their hope and their self-sufficiency. These servicesinclude the manufacturing, fitting and maintenance of prosthetic limbs, inaddition to physical therapy and psychological support to allow people who relyon prosthetic limbs to pursue their dreams.

One young patient benefiting from SARC and ICRC services, Abdulazeem,summed up his story in a single sentence: “Now, I’ll go back to school.”

Figure 8. The SARC and ICRC provide physical therapy and psychological support, as well as themanufacturing, fitting and maintenance of prosthetic limbs. © SARC.

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Figure 9. Abdulazeem summed up his story in a single sentence: “Now, I’ll go back to school.”© SARC.

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Reuniting families

In November 2017 at the Kasab border crossing between Syria and Turkey, twochildren were reunited with their families after being separated for six monthsand nineteen months respectively. The SARC worked to facilitate thesereunifications, securing the consent of all stakeholders concerned, and broughtthe families to the border for these unforgettable reunions.

Rebuilding livelihoods, restoring normalcy

The SARC-ICRC livelihoods programme allows families to achieve food securityand restores economic stability through microeconomic grants, which varydepending on the beneficiary’s skills and background and are appropriate to theeconomic opportunities in the surrounding area.

Figure 10. An emotional moment. Elaf is in her mother’s arms after they are reunited. © SARC.

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Hisham’s plans for the future

Despite their young age, Hisham’s daughters, aged 10 and 7, understand theirfather’s precarious health and financial situation. Hisham lost a leg in an accidentthat cost him his job as a tailor.

He tells his story in his own words: “We left our house in the Al-Shaarneighbourhood as it was totally destroyed. I lost my job because of the injury.Our financial situation worsened and I could no longer secure the needs of mywife and children.”

“I was unemployed for a year and eight months,” adds the 29-year-oldfather. “I was angry and devastated… A young man, yet unable to provide formy family.”

With the help of the SARC, Hisham was able to start over. After gettingfitted with a prosthetic leg, he started his own business with a grant from theSARC-ICRC livelihoods programme. “Now, I have my grocery shop and I amable to provide for my family, and with the profits I opened another store”, hesays. “Today, I no longer pay attention to looks of pity or hurtful words.”

The small family now lives in Salaheddine, a community in rural Aleppo,and some normalcy has been restored to their lives. The girls are back at schooland have made new friends. Pursuing his dreams for his little ones, Hishamspends much of his time at work, without taking days off. He hopes that one dayhe will be able to drive his own car, but he will have to wait as his first priority isensuring stability for his family.

Figure 11. Hisham, father of two daughters, talks to SARC volunteers. © SARC.

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Figure 12. Hisham pictured in his shop. © SARC.

Figure 13. A coffee machine in Hisham’s shop. © SARC.

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Figure 14. Syria facts and figures, 2018.

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CONTENTSConflict in SyriaVoices and perspectivesSyria: The human cost of warLaw and protectionThe way forwardSelected articlesReports and documentsBooks and articles

CONFLICT IN SYRIA: FINDING HOPE AMID THE RUINSDestructive ragePortrait of a disasterNot enough space for humanitarian workersOngoing struggle to uphold the law

Interview with Peter MaurerYou have been to Syria several times since the conflict began. What can you tell us about what you have seen there?What are the main challenges facing the ICRC in terms of its response in Syria?This brings us to the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence in humanitarian action. The ICRC has been criticized in the past for operating out of government-held territory. How do you balance the need to engage with the Syrian government on the one hand and the ICRC's Fundamental Principles on the other?The ICRC does much of its work in Syria in partnership with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). Can you explain the roles of the SARC, other National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (National Societies) that might be operating in Syria, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the ICRC–especially for those who might be less familiar with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement)?The war in Syria has witnessed the violation of some of the most basic tenets of IHL, such as attacks on the SARC and other humanitarian organizations, as well as on health care, and the use of chemical weapons. As the guardian of IHL, how can the ICRC respond? As its president, what is your view of this tragic phenomenon?IHL is most often talked about when it is violated, which can lead to the impression that it is never respected and has no impact. In a context like Syria, where the violations of the law are quite high-profile, what impact does IHL have?What can be done to ensure that civilians are better protected and to alleviate the suffering caused by the war in Syria?

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross: A true partnership to help the most vulnerable*Not a targetEmad's story

Walking again with hopeReuniting familiesRebuilding livelihoods, restoring normalcyHisham's plans for the future

The fragility of community security in Damascus and its environsThe city of Damascus and its environsSocial agglomerations in Damascus and its environsUrban DamascusGeographic districts of Rural DamascusCommunities in rural Damascus

Damascus and its surrounding areas prior to 2010Damascus and its surrounding areas in 2011–18Characteristics of rural and urban environments during the ongoing crisisThe latent fragility of securityOutline placeholderCommunal introversionFragile cohesionFragmentation through introversion

Assessment of the physical planning, social and security situationsInformal settlements in the city of Damascus and its environsPoverty in Damascus and its hinterlandLack of follow-up to planning studiesAreas of armed conflict

The spatial coincidence of negative factors that helped to trigger the crisis

Mental health during the Syrian crisis: How Syrians are dealing with the psychological effectsIntroductionThe mental health situation in Syria before the crisisPsychological effects of the crisis on SyriansManagement of psychological effects in recent yearsConclusion

Weaponizing monumentsWhat we owe to Syria?The Hague Convention of 1954Assessing the tollMonuments on the battle linesAleppoPalmyra

Writing off Syria's monuments?Attempting a damage tally

An archaeological wasteland?

Crossing the red line: The use of chemical weapons in Syria and what should happen nowIntroductionChemical weapons use in Syria and international responsesThe Secretary-General's MechanismThe OPCW–UN Joint MissionThe OPCW Fact-Finding MissionThe OPCW–UN Joint Investigative MechanismOPCW Technical Secretariat additional inspections in SyriaThe International, Impartial and Independent MechanismThe International Partnership against Impunity

Options for accountabilityThe International Criminal CourtAd hoc international criminal tribunalNational prosecutionsMeasures available under the Chemical Weapons Convention

Conclusion–the potential to move forward

Islamic law and international humanitarian law: An introduction to the main principlesIntroductionOrigins of the Islamic law of warSources of Islamic law

Characteristics of the Islamic law of warPrinciples of the Islamic rules of warProtection of civilians and non-combatantsPermissible weapons in warHuman shields and night attacksProtection of propertyProhibition of mutilation of the enemyTreatment of prisonersQuarter and safe conductManagement of dead bodies

The Islamic law of war between theory and practiceConclusion

From a model of peace to a model of conflict: The effect of architectural modernization on the Syrian urban and social make-upIntroduction: Architecture as a registerThe urban fabricBeauty mattersAchieving the sense of homeFour transformationsReligious sitesCommercial spacesHousingNature

Rebuilding

Protecting cultural property in Syria: New opportunities for States to enhance compliance with international law?IntroductionThe legal framework protecting cultural property in SyriaInternational humanitarian lawTransnational law enforcementInternational human rights lawApplicable UN Security Council resolutions

Cultural property as a battleground in SyriaInnovations in protection that have emerged in response to the destruction of cultural property in SyriaRemaining gapsConcluding remarks and ways forward

“Safe areas”: The international legal frameworkInternational humanitarian lawGeneva Conventions I and IV: Hospital and safety zones and localitiesTypes of protected zonesDraft Agreements on hospital and safety zones and localities

Geneva Convention IV: Neutralized zonesAdditional Protocol I: Demilitarized zonesNon-international armed conflictsProtected zones: Their establishment and operation in practiceThe general rules of IHL regulating conduct of hostilities

“Safe areas” established by means other than agreement between belligerentsJus ad bellum considerationsMandates, “concepts of operations” and directives on the use of forceA new model of safe areas: “Protection of civilians sites” in South Sudan

Protection in safe areas: Refugee law and human rights law considerationsConclusion

A universal treaty for disasters? Remarks on the International Law Commission's Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of DisastersIntroduction: Setting the scene of international disaster lawCreation of the Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of DisastersThe law-making techniques and structure of the DAsScope of the DAs and relationship with IHL

Discovering the “vertical” and “horizontal” dimensions of the DAsThe “vertical” dimensionThe “horizontal” dimensionDisaster risk reductionThe “checks and balances” approach between the interests of the affected State and assisting actors in the relief phaseConsent of the affected StateThe “operational” provisions

The way forwardConcluding remarksProtection of persons in the event of disasters

Naval robots and rescueIntroductionUMS and the future of naval warfareThe moral foundations of the duty of rescueUMS and rescue: The ethical challengeThe case against a duty of rescue for UMSThe case for a duty of rescue for UMSDesigning UMS for rescueConclusions

Emerging military technologies applied to urban warfareExecutive summaryIntroductionCyber warfareLegal issuesApplicable lawProportionality and precautionsAttribution

Positive uses in armed conflict

New roboticsLegal issuesAccountabilityA moral obligation to use new technologies?

Positive uses

Human enhancementEthical issuesLegal issuesIHL and international human rights lawAbility to comply with IHLArticle 36 reviewMedical personnelCountering enhanced personnel

Positive uses

New technology and military and policy decision-makingDecisions to regulate new technologiesMilitary decision-making

Conclusions

The laws of war are our shield against barbarityS1816383119000092_head1New publications in international humanitarian law and on the International Committee of the Red CrossBehaviour of combatants/military ethics – BooksCivilians and persons hors de combat – BooksArticlesConduct of hostilities – BooksArticlesCyber warfare – BooksArticlesFundamental guarantees – BooksArticlesHistory of the ICRC – ArticlesHumanitarian relief – ArticlesInternational Committee of the Red Cross – BooksArticlesICRC activities – BooksArticlesInternational criminal law – BooksArticlesInternational human rights law – BooksArticlesInternational humanitarian law–development and scope – BooksArticlesInternational humanitarian law–general issues – BooksArticlesInternational humanitarian law–implementation – BooksArticlesInternational humanitarian law–types of actors – BooksArticlesJournalists – ArticlesLaw of naval warfare – ArticlesLaw of neutrality – BooksLaw of occupation – BooksArticlesMedical and religious personnel and objects – BooksArticlesMissing persons/deceased persons – BooksNational Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – BooksNatural environment – ArticlesPersons deprived of liberty/detention – BooksArticlesProtected objects – ArticlesPublic international law – BooksArticlesRefugees/displaced persons – BooksArticlesWeapons – BooksArticles