Transnational humanitarian action and regime complexity: The case of Syria

Authors

Philip C. Orchard, University of QueenslandFollow

RIS ID

121762

Publication Details

Orchard, P. (2017). Transnational humanitarian action and regime complexity: The case of Syria. In D. Malet & M. J. Anderson (Eds.), Transnational Actors in War and Peace : Militants, Activists, and Corporations in World Politics (pp. 168-184). Washington, United States: Georgetown University Press. http://press.georgetown.edu/book/georgetown/transnational-actors-war-and-peace

Link to publisher version (URL)

Georgetown University Press

Abstract

Since the outbreak of civil war in Syria in 2011, the international community has faced an unprecedented humanitarian emergency. Beyond the estimated 400,000 dead, the civil war has created 5 million refugees, 6.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), and over 4 million besieged people. The United Nations (UN) estimates that 13.5 million-more than half of the Syrian population of 21.4 million-require humanitarian assistance.1 The transnational humanitarian community-which includes nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, and state bureaucracies-has sought to mobilize a global response to this crisis.2 The UN appealed for $3.18 billion for assistance within Syria for 2016 alone.3 In focusing on this community, rather than an individual actor, I follow Virginia Haufler's discussion in chapter 3 of transnational actors who have adopted a common frame, in my case to provide humanitarian assistance during conflicts.