Context
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has experienced unprecedented change since the start of the Arab Spring in 2010. The region is now encountering a series of conflicts and crises with humanitarian challenges which require immediate support. The war in Syria has killed over 191,000 people, with many more injured, 3.2 million displaced to neighbouring countries and an additional 10.8 million in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria.
The worsening conflict in Syria combined with political exclusion in Iraq provided fertile ground for the expansion of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the region. This has led to 1.8 million people internally displaced within Iraq and created urgent humanitarian needs, while also being a major security threat to neighbouring countries and the UK. Jordan and Lebanon face a protracted refugee presence, and in Yemen 14.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Summer 2014 saw increased violence in Libya and the violence in Gaza resulted in an unprecedented loss of human life, displacement and destruction of homes.