Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction

Analyzing and rethinking humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts throughout the region

From Syria to Yemen, the Middle East is the site of some of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies. The region receives billions of dollars of humanitarian aid every year, but current conditions are alarming and current trends appear unsustainable. International donors are rethinking how they can best leverage their financial assistance to the Middle East, considering changes in aid levels, modalities, and targets. The Middle East Program investigates trends in humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the Middle East, providing analysis and recommendations for U.S. and international policymakers.

 

Featured Event

How Shifts in Global Aid are Reshaping Fragile States

Presented by Middle East Program
December 6, 2025 • 6:30 – 7:15 am EST

Featured Reports

PHOTO: SYRIAN RED CRESCENT/AFP/GETTYIMAGES

PHOTO: SYRIAN RED CRESCENT/AFP/GETTYIMAGES

Rescuing Aid in Syria

Eleven years into the Syrian conflict, needs continue to rise. Yet, violence, uncertainty, and the Syrian government’s manipulation of the aid sector continues to plague the aid response. This CSIS report articulates the challenges to assistance and how to overcome them.

Report by Natasha Hall — February 14, 2022

Photo: ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis

A humanitarian emergency is growing among Lebanese. Overlaps in humanitarian responses risk fueling tensions and wasting limited aid resources. CSIS's Will Todman and Caleb Harper argue that an independent review is necessary to maximize the effectiveness of humanitarian aid.

Brief by Will Todman and Caleb Harper — December 16, 2021

Featured Analysis

Photo: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images

Photo: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images

Experts React: Starvation in Gaza

CSIS experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.

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Commentary by Mona Yacoubian, Will Todman, Jon B. Alterman, Caitlin Welsh, Zane Swanson, Michaela Simoneau, Sophia Hirshfield, Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, J. Stephen Morrison, and Leonard Rubenstein — July 28, 2025

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A Human Rights–Centered Approach to Reconstruction in Ukraine

This report reviews the extent to which human rights and governance concerns have been incorporated into Ukraine reconstruction plans and efforts to date and aims to identify key gaps and issues that merit additional attention going forward.

Report by Scott Busby and Lauren Burke Preputnik — June 5, 2024

Lebanon’s Dangerous Campaign against Refugees

Surging anti-refugee rhetoric in Lebanon could spiral into further regional violence and outward migration. To prevent a conflict, the EU and the U.S. must step up resettlement efforts and condition their aid to Lebanon to stop forced deportations and growing violence.

Commentary by Natasha Hall and Will Todman — June 4, 2024

Support for Refugees Erodes in the Middle East

Anti-refugee sentiment is on the rise in the MENA region as economic crises worsen and aid decreases. In a new commentary, Will Todman calls for innovative solutions from global actors to ease host community burdens, shelter victims of violence, and mitigate hostilities.

Commentary by Will Todman — June 5, 2023

Earthquake May Deepen Syria’s Divides

CSIS Middle East Program senior fellow Natasha Hall analyzes how the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria may worsen existing divides in the international aid response in Syria and further hinder support to the vulnerable northwest.

Commentary by Natasha Hall — February 7, 2023

The UN Vote on Aid in Syria

Natasha Hall and Will Todman break down the implications of the UN Security Council's vote to renew the cross-border mandate in Syria, what concessions were made, and who came out the biggest winner.

Critical Questions by Natasha Hall and Will Todman — July 12, 2021

The Future of Humanitarian Operations: Aid and Politics in Syria

As we approach the expiration date of the UN mandate to provide cross-border assistance to Syria, our panel of experts will delve into these questions and assess the consequences of business as usual for the aid sector and for long-term stability.

Event — July 7, 2021