On Sunday, 29 September 2024, the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS), in collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), held a public symposium entitled "Navigating Humanitarianism: Aid in Polarised and Complex Conflict Zones," in the seminar hall at the Center's headquarters.
The symposium hosted experts, including Mr Khaled Mohamed Al-Obaidli, Director of the Office of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice of Qatar and Rapporteur of the National Commission on International Humanitarian Law; Dr Musaeed Rashid Al-Anzi, Adviser to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society (KRCS); and Mr Abdullah Medrek Al-Ruwaili, Advisor and Secretary-General of the Standing Committee on International Humanitarian Law and Chairman of the Saudi National Monitoring and Documentation Team. The session was moderated by Dr Lara Khattab, Assistant Professor of the Conflict Management and Humanitarian Action program at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
The discussion shed light on the challenges faced in responding to humanitarian crises in various countries, with a focus on recent events in the Arab region, such as in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. Mr Khaled Al-Obaidli shared an overview of the legal and ethical frameworks governing humanitarian assistance in complex contexts. He also desribed the existing challenges in complying with humanitarian principles and addressing ethical and legal considerations in humanitarian efforts. The first participant highlighted several fundamental obstacles to delivering humanitarian aid to the conflict affected contexts, ranging from civil and military interventions to economic and social barriers. One of the most critical issues listed was the limited access to populations in need, including refugees and internally displaced persons. In this context, Mr Khaled Al-Obaidli emphasised the need to implement and adhere to relevant international conventions, especially in light of persistent violations. Such action would raise awareness of humanitarian and war crimes committed, urging states to take responsibility for holding criminals accountable and fostering justice.
Contributing to the discussion, Dr Musaeed Al-Anzi addressed the operational challenges and strategies for delivering assistance in polarised and complex conflict zones. The key points included issues related to the safety of humanitarian workers, the political challenges in humanitarian work, and the importance of promoting and operationalising humanitarian diplomacy. Dr Al-Anzi presented a series of recommendations emphasising the need to expedite decision-making and reduce bureaucratic procedures in order to build confidence and allow immediate intervention to provide humanitarian assistance through the dedicated channels. He mentioned that multiple international organisations are currently falling short in implementing effective interventions in emergency situations, partucarly in the case of the Gaza Strip. The recommendations underscored the urgency of addressing basic humanitarian needs and advocated for Arab organisations to serve as first responders in crisis and disaster situations within the region.
Another participant, Mr Abdullah Al-Ruwaili, focused on access and the provision of humanitarian aid in non-traditional armed conflicts, particularly in cases of sieges, non-international armed conflicts and occupied territories, searching for innovative strategies to improve humanitarian access to restricted areas. He underlined that the governance and reputation of institutions in humanitarian work are crucial to their ability to deliver assistance effectively and sustain their work, necessitating the adoption of robust mechanisms to ensure security while mitigating risks and suspicions. Mr Al-Ruwaili also addressed the vital role of the media in advancing humanitarian action and elevating ethical standards.
In conclusion, participants exchanged their perspectives and insights, raising questions on related issues such as the differences between the management approaches of local and international humanitarian organisations, the divide between theoretical humanitarian action and practice, and the need for effective humanitarian coordination to address double standards. These questions and inquiries came from researchers, academics, and decision-makers, as well as representatives from regional and international organisations, enriching the discourse on this critical topic.