The panellists and participants at the event will reflect on the compounding health challenges in Syria at a time of increasing hardships and deprivation. It will also be an opportunity to identify the most vulnerable populations affected by the multitude of threats, and the measures and support required to ensure the most “left behind” are protected. Participants will explore these issues through the messages and voices of those who are responding to the health needs on the ground and across the Whole of Syria.  The need to ensure that health needs are consistently viewed through a gender lens will be highlighted, in light of the unique challenges faced by women, girls and other vulnerable groups. Participants will explore the interlinked nature of health and deepening socio-economic crisis by:

• Looking at the currently evolving context of Syria and the deepening economic hardship and increasing humanitarian needs;
• Identifying the most vulnerable groups and segments of the population;
• Calling attention to the consequences of funding shortfall on the health sector and the grave cost of inaction on the lives of vulnerable population across Syria.
• Raising awareness of the current needs and actions required to adjust the health response to enable health service delivery in the context of continued conflict, socioeconomic downturn and fragility;
• Highlighting innovations and best practices for outreach to communities towards equity in access to health and social services;
• Highlighting ‘whole-of-society’ solutions and actions to address the health challenges and increase resilience;
• Exploring opportunities for shared health sector priorities as part of a wider early recovery and resilience agenda.

Agenda and format

This side event will be a 90-minute dynamic and engaging Q&A session where knowledgeable speakers will respond to questions posed by a moderator; this will encourage interaction between the audience and the speakers, providing valuable insights and meaningful discussion.  Speakers will include representatives from organizations/consortia from a range of geographical areas to present their organizational perspective on needs, priorities, challenges and practical steps.

Speakers

Government of Austria:

• H.E Mr Peter Krois, Ambassador of Austria in Syria

WHO:

• Dr Iman Shankiti , WHO Representative, Damascus
• Ms Rosa Crestani, Head of WHO Field Presence, Gaziantep

UNFPA:

• Muriel Mafico, UNFPA Representative, Damascus
• Ziad Naboulsi, UNFPA Head of Office, Gaziantep

Local partners:

• Dr Hani Altaleb, Founder and CEO of Relief Experts Association
• Bashira Tabanj, Distinguished midwife