The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) held a virtual meeting with organizations active in sheltering and housing the IDPs in northern Syria. The two sides discussed the conditions in the unofficial camps and the need to find a permanent solution until the IDPs can return to their areas of origin.
The meeting brought together SOC’s President Salem Al-Meslet, Vice-president Ruba Habboush, Secretary of the political committee Abdul Majeed Barakat, Coordinator of the Department of Refugee Affairs Adnan Rahmoun, Coordinator of the Organizations Office Zuhair Muhammad and member of the Organizations Office Kifah Murad, Coordinator of the Communities Office Yahya Maktabi and member of the General Assembly Firas Masri.
Participants discussed the major problems facing residents of the IDPs camps in the areas of health, education and food security. Al-Meslet spoke about the role of the SOC and its willingness to facilitate the obtaining of the necessary land for housing projects and the crossing of NGO workers to play their role in northern Syria.
Participants also discussed the need of coordinating efforts between Syrian NGO and the SOC, defining and distributing roles in advocacy campaigns, and coordinating joint action in order to better serve the IDPs and refugees.
The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations, most notably the development of long-term strategic plans for the IDPs, the distribution of roles among the major actors, the transfer of the entire camp population to temporary housing units, and organizing the informal settlements in northern Syria.
Participants also recommended scheduling workshops to develop strategic plans in the areas of education and health as well as to distribute roles so as to better serve the interests of the Syrian civilians.
Participants emphasized the necessity of distributing tasks according to the specialties. They pointed to the important role of the Engineers’ Association in setting work standards and the preparation of project evaluation reports. They stressed the Association’s role in the development of new housing plans and addressing the problem of random settlements.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
