Civilian Protection in Urban Sieges: Capacities and practices of first responders in Syria

Urban conflict in Syria has had devastating impacts on besieged civilians targeted by deliberate bombing and human rights abuses. Local actors, some with an overt humanitarian mandate, engage in first response activities, but often lack sufficient training, equipment and operationalisation. Our research from four besieged urban areas finds a range of capabilities, understandings and mandates within six different sets of organisations involved in first response. Our mixed-methods research methodology points to a strong evidence-base of the needs and strengths of organisations undertaking first response, and how external agencies can better support them

Non-state actors and civil society adaptation to crisis: conflict and disaster

This portfolio of research comprises an in-depth exploration and critical analysis of different methods of responding to conflict and disaster, here collectively termed crisis. While recent years have experienced increasing movement in practice and especially policy towards localisation and recognition of domestic capacities in humanitarian and peacebuilding work, there remain significant gaps between policy priorities and operations on the ground. Local expertise, practices and knowledge are often not sufficiently integrated or even acknowledged in responding to conflict and disaster and reconstruction processes. Barriers to this include lack of basic recognition, falling under the radar of established systems and structures, colonial and interventionist mentalities, lack of contextual understanding of gender and other social divisions, and unwillingness or inability of established Global North institutions to genuinely share power and decision-making.However, the published outputs in this portfolio rigorously demonstrate that suitably crafted research agendas and data collection methods can accurately and equitably reflect the experiences and needs of affected people, and speak directly to the sensitivities of colonialism and the localisation agenda. This portfolio demonstrates that it is possible to make progress in research and humanitarianism that reflects a greater awareness of colonial legacies and shifts towards localisation, while recognising the complexities around these contestations in policy and programming. Improvements in these particularly sensitive and contentious areas tends to be iterative and piecemeal, but I attempt to show thorough this portfolio some case studies of demonstrable success in localising response to conflict and disaster. While this portfolio critically analyses alternatives to top-down and interventionist approaches in conflict and disaster, it also highlights the tensions and shortcomings in domestic or national level responses, if these replicate some of the same deficiencies outlined above. Thus, there may be limitations to locally-led agendas for peace and recovery if they also lack appropriate and inclusive approaches. Localisation is not a panacea, suggesting that a more nuanced understanding is required of what constitutes representation and participation to ensure durable peacebuilding and disaster reconstruction

Protecting civilians in urban sieges:How to best support ‘first responders’

Urban warfare in Syria has had a devastating impact on besieged civilians targeted by deliberate aerial bombing and human rights abuses. Local actors, some with an overt humanitarian mandate, engage in civilian protection (CP)activities but often lack sufficient training, equipment and organisation. Our research in four besieged urban areas found a range of capabilities, understandings and mandates among six types of organisations involved in first response (FR). Our mixed-methods research methodology generated astrong evidence base to show how external actors can better support organisations undertaking CP. Based on our findings, we recommend: increasing remote support for such organisations, prioritising training provision, assisting them to develop greater professionalism and coordination, and rolling out FR as a distinct concept from other humanitarian services

Solar streetlights in post-earthquake Nepal:Place, identity and gender in a displaced village

There is growing recognition of the benefits of providing displaced communities with accessible lighting systems, such as public streetlights. However, little anthropological research has been done on the impacts of lighting in displaced communities. In this article, I explore perceptions of the impacts of seven public solar streetlights on a displaced community’s sense of place attachment, identity, and gender relations in rural post-earthquake Nepal. There is demonstrable evidence that streetlights enhance safety and security. Less studied themes include the psychological impacts related to fear, social identity, sense of personal freedom, and place attachment. I argue that streetlight installation increases place attachment and facilitates the forming of new relationships with the socially constructed environment. I describe how respondents discuss the impact of streetlights on the daily rhythm of domestic chores and personal activities, and on their cultural beliefs and practices. The introduction of streetlights is associated with increased divisions between genders and generations, and inter-household jealousy. Increased attachment to the post-displacement environment could further deepen tensions and traumas associated with further displacement. More nuanced understanding of the impacts of streetlights, in addition to technical considerations, will improve provision for displaced and remote communities

Post-conflict interfaith activities, combatting religious extremism and mass atrocity in Sri Lanka

This study is based on the case of Sri Lanka’s conflict history, situated with regard to the 2019 Easter bombings. Religious identity has become more salient in Sri Lankan society and this is seen in more religious extremist activity and interfaith activities, including among actors and groups who traditionally avoided such initiatives. Based on narrative analysis of interviews with representatives from the country’s four major religions discussing interfaith activities, communal relations and religious extremism, this paper highlights how legacies from the war have exacerbated long-lasting divisions and mistrust between the country’s ethno-religious groups, even if they were not the original conflict actors. Following civil conflict based on ethno-religious divisions, local-level interfaith peacebuilding activities have limited impact as they do not reach extremists and mostly engage people already committed to non-violent social change. Since the end of the civil war in 2009, faith groups and other civil society actors have expressed reservations about inter-communal relations and the potential for further violence. These fears were realised with the devastating bombings in 2019

Beyond 'Build Back Better':Strengthening Social Inclusion & Accountability through Community-Led Reconstruction in Post-Earthquake Nepal

Two years after the devastating earthquakes in Nepal in April and May 2015, a partnership comprising Coventry University, ActionAid Nepal (AAN) and HelpAge Nepal (HAN) undertook an action research project to investigate the initial implementation of Community-Led Reconstruction (CLR). This approach seeks to increase inclusion and accountability to disaster-affected communities to ensure marginalised groups are included. The overall aim of this research is to provide learning and evidence on implementing CLR and thereby improve performance and enhance accountability to disaster-affected people. The primary research question was as follows:To what extent and in what ways can CLR in post-earthquake Nepal lead to greater inclusion of marginalised groups and improved accountability to beneficiaries

Providing basic services under siege: Preliminary insights from interim councils and medical providers in besieged urban areas of Syria

The interim councils and medical workers operating in besieged cities in opposition-held areas of Syria have faced enormous challenges in providing services to citizens. Despite the extremely difficult operating environment, some semblance of organized government has been installed by anti-regime rebels, whose functions include provision of basic services. Data collected from interviews with interim councils and medical workers in four opposition-held areas suggest that despite the acutely constrained environment and overwhelming challenges, governance structures there demonstrate a degree of success in delivering basic services to civilian populations. Their provision of basic services constitutes more than a bargaining tool or legitimacy signalling, and is better understood as an integral part of revolutionary struggle. Although producing an objective picture of events on the ground is hindered by the conflict conditions and heavy propaganda, the Syrian experience of service provision under siege merits further exploration and has relevance for other conflict environments.</p