South–South Collaboration in Responses to Conflict and Displacement

There is a long history of actors from across the so-called Global South responding to conflict and displacement. These responses include initiatives led by states, civil society networks, and displaced people themselves.

A new report, published as part of the Southern Responses to Displacement from Syria research project, explores this evolving landscape. The project is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement No. 715582) and led by Professor Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh (Professor of Migration and Refugee Studies and Principal Investigator of the project). The report critically examines the potential for South–South collaboration in diplomatic and humanitarian responses to ongoing and emerging crises in the Middle East and beyond.

On 26 February 2025, Professor Fiddian-Qasmiyeh and Dr Ghassan Elkahlout (Director of the Doha Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies) co-convened a closed policy workshop to explore this topic. Held under Chatham House rules, the event brought together representatives from major UN agencies, international NGOs, and academic experts in conflict mediation, humanitarianism, and displacement. The workshop focused on collaborative responses to displacement from Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon.

Drawing on the convenors’ research and the expert contributions of participants, the workshop examined current and past examples of diplomatic and humanitarian responses by states—particularly those from the Global South. It also explored the challenges and opportunities for future South–South or horizontal cooperation.

The workshop was structured around three thematic sessions:

1. Categories, Labels and Definitions – Understanding Southern and non-traditional responses
2. North–South and South–South Relations – Complementary or contradictory?
3. Barriers and Opportunities – For South–South or horizontal cooperation

The report presents key insights from these discussions and concludes with recommendations for further research and policy engagement.