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 Analysis

The Importance of Marginalized Communities in Lebanon
Brief by Natasha Hall — December 14, 2020

Lebanon’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis
Brief by Will Todman and Caleb Harper — December 16, 2021

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

Lessons Learned from a Decade of Humanitarian Operations in Syria
Brief by Natasha Hall and Will Todman — April 22, 2021

Photo: IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP via Getty Images
Supporting Syrian Refugees amidst Lebanon’s Crises
Report by Will Todman

Photo: LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images
How the Assad Regime Systematically Diverts Tens of Millions in Aid
Commentary by Natasha Hall , Karam Shaar , and Munqeth Othman Agha

Photo: KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images
Hydrogel: A Promising Solution for Water Scarcity in the Middle East?
Commentary by Will Todman and Lyse Mauvais
All content by Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction
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Support for Refugees Erodes in the Middle East
Commentary by Will Todman — June 5, 2023
Powering Recovery: Reform, Reconstruction, and Renewables in Conflict-Affected States in the Arab World
Report by Will Todman , Jon B. Alterman , and Lubna Yousef — March 3, 2023
Earthquake May Deepen Syria’s Divides
Commentary by Natasha Hall — February 7, 2023
Lebanon’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis
Event by Jon B. Alterman , Jacob Kurtzer , Will Todman , Sally Abi Khalil , Haneen Sayed , Georges Kettaneh , and Maha Yahya — November 16, 2021
Hydrogel: A Promising Solution for Water Scarcity in the Middle East?
Commentary by Will Todman and Lyse Mauvais — November 9, 2021
The UN Vote on Aid in Syria
Critical Questions by Natasha Hall and Will Todman — July 12, 2021
The Future of Humanitarian Operations: Aid and Politics in Syria
Event by Jon B. Alterman , Jacob Kurtzer , Natasha Hall , Zaher Sahloul , and Charles Petrie — July 7, 2021
Carsten Wieland: The Politicization of Aid in Syria
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Natasha Hall , Will Todman , and Daniel Sharp — June 29, 2021

Stephanie Williams: UN Mediation in Libya
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Natasha Hall , and Will Todman — March 9, 2021

Online Event: Supporting Marginalized Groups amid Lebanon's Cascading Crises
Event by Jon B. Alterman , Jacob Kurtzer , Sahar Atrache , Yasmin Kayali , and Banchi Yimer — October 6, 2020