Policy in social work

Proposed action

1. A summary from Part 1

The Syrian Civil War which occurred in 2011 contributed to consequences which negatively affected the Syrians.  Despite the fact that the latter have faced tremendous challenges, effective laws and policies to address this problem have not been implemented. Many people were displaced and they were forced to move to the neighboring countries like Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey (Refaat & Mohanna, 2013). These countries have used the best ways to offer help to these refugees but due to the Syrian influx, the countries have faced challenges. There are no enough resources which the countries can use to offer full protection and assistance to the refugees.  For example, unstable government and high level of unemployment are key issues facing Lebanon and Egypt, and Jordan face the challenge of water shortage. This is an indication that these countries have their own challenges which hinders effective assistance. The population of Syrian refugee in the host countries is high. The host countries face high humanitarian and economic cost in trying to meet the refugees’ needs. However, lack of enough resources and fund to meet the needs has developed the issue of health care. Poor sanitation, lack of food, lack of clean water and lack of health care services have led to communicable and non-communicable diseases.  Refugees have suffered from skin diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, and chronic diseases like hypertension among many (Refaat & Mohanna, 2013). The condition becomes worse due to lack of emergency hospitals to treat these critical conditions. This is an issue which requires a quick response because the health issue will not only have adverse effects to the refugees and host countries but it is a problem which will affect the globe. According to WHO, there is a high rate of diseases in the refugee camps. Note that in the host countries, government has big challenges of economic crisis and this is an indication that it is unable to address this issue. The higher population and the inability of the government to offer quality care have deteriorated the health status of the refugees.

 

2. Past Programs/Policies

MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) programs have been implemented to address this issue. MSF play a significant role in offering humanitarian assistance to people affected by crises regardless of race or religion. After the tragedy, many Syrians went to Lebanon and other neighboring countries to seek for shelter and medical care (Doocy et al, 2016).  MSF social workers have played various roles to addressing the critical conditions affecting the refugees. For example, social workers visited patients who suffered from psychological trauma after being imprisoned for a long time. During this period, MSF developed medical services  in Wadi Khaled, Lebanon.  It also expanded medical services in Dar al Zahraa and Tripoli where refugee could access psychological consultations and primary healthcare services.   

In offering these services, MSF works hard to meet its goal of eliminating suffering and saving lives of refugees. The important thing with MSF is that it ensures availability of health care services to people suffering from mental illness, social and psychological (Doocy et al, 2016).  Its main purpose is to deal with humanitarian disaster to avoid the negative effects in the host countries as well to the globe. Note that when refugees are in the alien countries, the host government provides all forms of assistance including health care services. However, the Syrian influx creates many challenges as the host government is unable to address the problems facing the high population. Thus, there is a need of coordination between organizations and government. In this case, MFS has shown its attempt in that it joined the government in social work and played a significant role in creating a meaningful life to the refugees.  In social work, MFS creates a social inclusion where all refuges have an access to resources provided by this organization. Remarkably, MFS have implemented the principle of equality to ensure that refugee enjoy their human rights regardless of race of religion (Doocy et al, 2016). In social work, it has maintained social work core values such as social justice, competence, has fostered human relationship   as well as well-being of the people. Through social work values, MFG has offer quality assistant to the vulnerable and oppressed people.  Remarkably, social change in communities of the host countries is visible since refugee can access heath care, resources   and education. Generally, MSF in social work has typically viewed the issue of health care as an issue which requires   quick response and strategic implementation. It has filled the gap of health and has ensured that all refugees get an access to quality health care (Doocy et al, 2016).  It has influenced the establishment of refugees’ home in local communities. There a sense of solidarity in those refugees and other new arrivals has been provided with shelter.  Since refugees arrived in the host countries with no possessions, MFS provided basic needs to them.  Both adults and children from Syria developed mental illnesses from terrible experience. MFS has eliminated depression and anxiety and have changed their lives completely (Doocy et al, 2016).

 

3. Program/policy intervention

Proposed action: International community

International community means that people and government in the global should join hands toward addressing issues which negatively affects the well-being of the people.  In addition, international community involves taking actions in addressing global issue. In this case, global issue is anything which affects the environment, political, economy and society in a catastrophic way (AbuZayyad & Rieken, 2015). In dealing with the issue of refugee crisis in Syria, it is important to understand that this is an issue which requires a collective effort.  In this case, International community has the responsibility to intervene in this disaster and develop international refugee law as well as the humanitarian law. Given that there is a high population of Syrian refugees in the international borders,   there are many challenges which are met by host countries (AbuZayyad & Rieken, 2015). Refugees experience hostility and intolerance   in trying to seek opportunities and to find better places. On the other hand, host countries experiences unprepared and overburdened situation which affects the socioeconomic and political landscape.  Thus, international community is much needed to offer an international response. The war in Syria has not only affected the Syrian residents but it has also caused a threat to the global security and stability (AbuZayyad & Rieken, 2015). The Syrian war is viewed as a humanitarian crisis and so the international community is responsible in providing acceptable solution. The importance of implementing action from international community is that it is made of powerful states which have diverse views in addressing issues in international scene.

 

 

 

Key characteristics of the program/policy intervention

1. First, it is important to understand that International community plays a significant role in creating a sustainable and a long lasting peace. In addition, International community involves joint efforts in supporting the regions which face humanitarian crisis. The key element which is required is a serious effort in order to achieve global security and stability. Global response from international community s is needed in addressing the humanitarian crisis (Ticktin, 2016). Note that, the issue does not only affect the Syria but it also affects the UN member states. Thus, a close cooperation from these UN states is of importance especially in responsibility-sharing.  The point is that International community will involve stakeholders.   In this case, stakeholders are parties involved in decision-making process.  In order to understand who will   be involved in the international community, it is important to understand who the stockholders are. Firsts, stockholders involves the states.  In this case, central government has members either from parliaments, international associations or local authorities. Second, stakeholders involve private sector such as business federations, lobby groups and more. Third, civil societies which are interested in social life are involved in international community. Finally, NGOs are involved in international community as they play a significant role in environmental protection and poverty reduction.   In this case, stakeholders who will be involved in international community for the purpose of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Syria are Russia, United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.  Starting with Russia, this country is an international backer of Syria (Ticktin, 2016).  This means that the country has already provided weapons to Syrian military. Russia is interested with the protection of naval facility protects its Mediterranean base.  In addition, U.S should be involved in the international community in ending the war.  Currently, U.S has showed its interest in creating transitional administration and international coalition in fighting the jihadist.  Saudi-Arabia has provided military and financial assistance to Syria. It has been involved in campaigning against IS and has showed the interest in protecting civilians from attack.   Next, the Turkish government has hosted a large population of refugees from Syria and has also formed a coalition with U. S for supporting Syria. Last, Iran has spent large amount of money in support of Syria (Ticktin, 2016). The latter has used Iranian weapons in fighting with Islamic movement.  In international community, the first is making goals based on humanitarian crisis. After creating goals, stakeholders should use economic means of offering humanitarian support.  All states involved in international community should make a clear commitment and ensure availability of funds to the humanitarian appeals.
2. In addition to these stakeholders who should be involved in international community, other stakeholders are NGOs, local authorities and workers and their trade unions. NGOs play a significant role in the process of creating a sustainable environment. These organizations have diverse experiences based on social economic activities. They are important as they work at direct community and in global level. Local authorities help in developing agenda and implementing national policies (ALLISON, 2013). Workers and trade unions ensure a sustainable development by establishing principles which both workers and representatives will follow. Workers and trade unions play an active part in promoting activities which influence sustainable development. However, the international community involves opponents. The National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SC) will oppose the   international community. This group was established in 2012 and it used its control power in creating a municipal government (ALLISON, 2013). In making decision on international community, the stakeholders should form an agreement with SC and join hands in ensuring national sovereignty and preserving unity.

 

 

1. The proposed actions which are known as international community will effectively address the problem. Note that international community has a major goal of offering solutions to the humanitarian crisis. The past attempt to solve the issue facing Syrian refugee involved the intervention by non-governmental organization. MSF (Doctors without borders) played a significant role in ensuring that refugee could access quality health care (Akbarzadeh & Conduit, 2016). It provides health resources to address health care challenges which range from mental illness, psychological and social illnesses. However, there is a difference between MSF and international communities. For example, MSF involves a remote management and universal markers are not involved in the negotiation frameworks. It fails to focus the developing dynamics and it is enable to manage the undesirables. The importance of expanding the MSF into international community is that this intervention is transparent and therefore capable of promoting social justice (Akbarzadeh & Conduit, 2016).  
2. For the most part, international community is connected with social work which creates not only social inclusion but also social justice. In social work, international community promotes social justice by creating international human rights law. In others words, international community involves United Nations which it main focus is on Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Thus, stakeholders or United Nations have a legal responsibility of protecting the minorities (AbuZayyad & Rieken, 2015). International community as the proposed action is the best way to address the issues facing refugees. Every state has the obligation to set standards of protection through international arbitration. Given that international community involves international legal accountability, effective actions are required. International community strengthens the social networks and economic relationship. Through restructuring the community in terms of addressing social economic and political issues, international community creates a social inclusion society where all people regardless of race and religion should access the available resources (AbuZayyad & Rieken, 2015).  It reinforces social justice by creating integrity and effective leadership.
3. The international community should show effectiveness by addressing the humanitarian crisis. For instance, the stakeholders or United Nations should join hands in maintaining peace and security in Syria. First, International community should ensure health care coverage and quality health services to refuges in the host countries (Gonzalez, 2016). It should develop an international development agenda and support the host countries with needed healthcare resources. The international community should take actions and form an international cooperation. Within the next two years, Syria should be a country with peace and stability, and development on health systems. Effectiveness should also be achieved by implementing innovative financing models for health systems. In international community, World Health Organization should also be involved in creating a plan of action of health care system. In addition, UN bodies such as the General Assembly, Human Rights Council and others should prevent Syrian Arab Republic from attacking civilians (Gonzalez, 2016).  Last, effectiveness should be achieved in the international community will offer a timely humanitarian assistance through efficient mechanism. The research design will contribute to the peace and stability in Syria.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 The Syrian Civil War has changed the socioeconomic and political status of Syria. More than 1.7Syrians have fled to Jordan, Lebanon, Europe and other Middle East countries. The effects of war have not only impacted the Syrians but also the host country. The Syrians influx has developed a high level of poverty in host countries since these countries are unable to meet the needs of the refugees. The area which is affected most is the health care. Due to lack of quality care, refugees have developed communicable and non-communicable diseases. This is an issue which requires a quick response and the best action   in addressing these challenges is   focusing on international community. Even though non-governmental organization has attempted to solve the issue, international community which involves United Nations should address the challenges by joining hands and   providing the needed resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Gonzalez, G. (2016). New aid architecture and resilience building around the Syria crisis. Forced

Migration Review, 1(52), 26-28.

 AbuZayyad, Z., & Rieken, J. (2015). Bringing in the International Community as a Major Factor in the

Solution. Palestine-Israel Journal Of Politics, Economics & Culture, 20(2/3), 126-146.

 ALLISON, R. (2013). Russia and Syria: explaining alignment with a regime in crisis. International

Affairs, 89(4), 795-823. doi:10.1111/1468-2346.12046

 

Ticktin, M. (2016). Thinking Beyond Humanitarian Borders. Social Research, 83(2), 255-271.

 

Refaat, M. M., & Mohanna, K. (2013). Syrian refugees in Lebanon: facts and solutions. The Lancet, 382(9894), 763-764.

 

Doocy, S., Lyles, E., Akhu-Zaheya, L., Burton, A., & Burnham, G. (2016). Health service access and utilization among Syrian refugees in Jordan. International Journal for Equity in Health, 15(1), 108.

Akbarzadeh, S., & Conduit, D. (2016). THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS. Ethos, 24(2), 8-10.