The Syrian government has revoked the "national partner" status of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Syrian Development Organisation, restricting their ability to sign direct agreements with international donors.
Under the decision issued on 17 March and published yesterday, 31 March, any memoranda of understanding or agreements with international organisations now require prior approval from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This imposes additional constraints on their operations and prevents immediate decision-making on aid or development projects.
Neither organisation has issued an official statement so far.
The move raises questions about how these organisations will address the new administrative challenges, particularly amid an urgent need for external funding in relief and development sectors.
A source from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent told The New Arab that the decision reflects a government effort to tighten oversight of international funding and cooperation. This comes especially after non-governmental organisations expanded agreements with foreign donors in recent years, at times without direct state supervision.
The source added that the change could lead to delays in implementing humanitarian and development projects; particularly the case for projects requiring rapid response in areas most affected by the war.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent relies on two main sources of funding: international aid and a Red Crescent stamp. International aid includes support from UN agencies and organisations, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as national societies such as the British, Danish and Dutch Red Cross.
First aid projects are funded by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. At the same time, the United Nations Children’s Fund supports health promotion programmes, the World Food Programme provides food supplies, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees delivers non-food items. The Danish Red Cross oversees psychosocial support projects.
The local Red Crescent stamp is regulated under Law No. 8 of 2004 and is issued in the organisation’s name for use in certain official transactions.
25% of its revenue is allocated to the organisation. Its value was amended in 2015 to 25 Syrian pounds, with the share allocated to the Red Crescent increased to 40%. The remainder is directed to cancer research, linking the organisation’s local income to national health projects.
Damascus-based lawyer Moeen al-Droubi said the decision to revoke the organisations' national partner status and to require foreign ministry approval for international agreements can be interpreted legally in several ways.
Al-Droubi told The New Arab that the state has full sovereignty over its territory and the regulation of its relations with local and international organisations. Requiring prior approval before signing international agreements falls within the government's authority and does not violate Syrian law if issued through an official decree or decision by competent bodies, such as the Council of Ministers or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He added that Law No. 93 of 1958 governing associations and private institutions provides the main legal framework for non-governmental organisations, requiring registration with official authorities and licensing before operating. It grants authorities broad supervisory and regulatory powers, including over international cooperation and foreign funding.
He pointed out that this does not grant organisations absolute independence in signing international agreements.
"The decision is legal and within the state's authority, but it may impose practical challenges on organisations and affect their operational capacity and international reputation, particularly regarding existing or future agreements," he said. Regarding the likelihood that past practices involving misuse of international funding will be repeated, al-Droubi said donors have become more cautious, with stricter monitoring conditions for humanitarian and development spending.
He said this makes a full repetition of previous scenarios more difficult, though not impossible if funds are channelled exclusively through state institutions.
"It can be said that the decision creates an environment that could repeat past experiences of exploiting international funding, particularly if transparent and effective monitoring mechanisms do not accompany it," he added. "However, the presence of strict international oversight and certain legal conditions may limit the negative impact." Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here .