GCS MUN BACKGROUND GUIDE

2023
The Syrian Humanitarian Crisis

I. ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly is the main deliberative body of the United Nations (UN), where all 193
member states have an equal vote and participate in the decision-making process. The General
Assembly meets annually in September for a session that lasts for several months, during
which time world leaders gather to discuss a wide range of global issues and challenges. The
General Assembly is responsible for setting the UN's budget, electing members to the Security
Council, and establishing the agenda for the UN's work. In addition to its regular sessions, the
General Assembly also convenes special sessions to address urgent matters, such as global
health crises or humanitarian emergencies. The General Assembly is an important forum for
member states to voice their concerns and advocate for their interests, and its decisions can
have a significant impact on the international community.

II. Background To The Syrian Conflict

The topic for this MUN conference is "The humanitarian crisis in Syria and ways to address the
ongoing conflict." The purpose of this conference is to discuss the current situation in Syria,
identify the root causes of the conflict, and propose solutions to address the ongoing crisis.

The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against President Bashar
al-Assad's regime. It has since escalated into a complex civil war, with multiple factions
fighting for control of territory. The conflict has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis,
with over 12 million Syrians displaced from their homes, and over 5 million Syrians seeking
refuge in neighboring countries.

III. Current Situation

The conflict in Syria has been ongoing for over a decade, with no end in sight. The
humanitarian crisis has worsened over time, with millions of Syrians displaced from their
homes and struggling to access basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care. The
COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened the situation, as the healthcare system in Syria is
already under strain.
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IV. Possible Solutions/Reforms In The Committee

To address the ongoing crisis in Syria, a variety of solutions have been proposed. Some of these
include:

- Negotiated Settlement: one of the most commonly proposed solutions is a negotiated

settlement between the Syrian government and opposition groups. Delegates should
focus on the history of negotiations and peace talks, the key players involved in
negotiations, and the potential challenges to achieving a negotiated settlement.

- Humanitarian Aid: providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the crisis is another
important solution. Delegates should focus on the current state of humanitarian aid in
Syria, the challenges to delivering aid to those in need, and the effectiveness of past aid
efforts.

- Reconstruction: rebuilding infrastructure and providing support to communities affected

by the conflict is essential for long-term stability. Delegates should focus on the current
state of infrastructure in Syria, the challenges to reconstruction efforts, and the potential
role of international aid in supporting reconstruction.

- Political Reform: reforming the Syrian government and creating a more inclusive
political system is another possible solution. Delegates should focus on the current
political system in Syria, the challenges to political reform, and the potential role of
international actors in supporting political reform efforts.

V. Key areas to focus on while researching

- Historical background of the Syrian conflict: It is essential to understand the historical

background, including the events that led to the current situation. This will provide a
context for understanding the root causes of the conflict and possible solutions.

- Humanitarian crisis: The humanitarian crisis in Syria is a major concern and has
worsened over time. It is important to research the current state of the crisis, including
the number of displaced persons and refugees, access to basic needs such as food, water,
and healthcare, and the challenges to delivering aid.

- Key players: There are multiple players involved in the Syrian conflict, including the
Syrian government, opposition groups, international allies, and non-state actors. It is
important to research the ideologies, goals, and actions of these players to understand
their roles in the conflict.

- International responses: The international community has responded to the Syrian

conflict in various ways, including through diplomatic efforts, military intervention, and
humanitarian aid. It is important to research the effectiveness of past responses and
potential future actions.
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2023
- Proposed solutions: There have been various proposals to address the ongoing crisis in
Syria, including negotiated settlements, humanitarian aid, infrastructural
reconstruction, and political reform. It is essential to research these proposals, their
potential effectiveness, and the challenges to their implementation.

- Cultural and regional context: Syrian society is complex with diverse cultural and
regional backgrounds. It is important to understand these cultural and regional contexts
to understand the perspectives and priorities of the Syrian people.
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VI. Key Players

To understand the conflict in Syria, it is important to understand the key players involved.
These include:

● The Syrian Government: led by President Bashar al-Assad, this government has been accused of
committing human rights abuses against its own citizens, including the use of chemical
weapons.
● The Syrian Opposition: made up of various rebel groups fighting against the Syrian government.
These groups have varying ideologies and goals.
● International Allies: countries such as Russia and Iran have provided military support to the
Syrian government, while the United States and its allies have provided support to various
opposition groups.
● Non-State Actors: groups such as ISIS and other extremist organizations have also been involved
in the conflict.

VII. Questions to consider

1) What are the specific strengths and limitations of the proposed solutions?
2) What benefits can foreign nations have if they intervene in the ongoing conflict?
3) Is the Syrian government and/or opposition truly justified in their actions and beliefs?
4) What hurdles does the international community face with this crisis?
5) In what ways can Syria recover from such a long-lasting conflict, once it’s finally over?
6) Are there any similarities that can be drawn between the Syrian crisis and other world
events, if so what can be learned from them?

VIII. Conclusion

The crisis in Syria is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. By
understanding the root causes of the conflict, and proposing solutions that address the
humanitarian crisis and the underlying political issues, we can work towards a more stable and
peaceful Syria. Delegates should focus on their research on these key points and come prepared
with well-informed and creative solutions to address the ongoing crisis in Syria