Abroad task force (ATF عطف)   

For Queer solidarity and philanthropy in international emergencies 

Abroad Task Force (ATF عطف) – ATF, in Arabic and several languages, translates to sympathy. Leveraging our experience in managing emergencies within the Syrian context, one of the most volatile and complex conflicts since World War II, and other crisis disasters emergencies that we have been responding to such as the Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria and the escalation of hate attacks against the LGBTQIA+ in the Near East we believe in our proficiency in emergency response management and rapid crisis intervention. Guided by principles of solidarity, we feel a responsibility to share our knowledge and experiences with other emergency contexts. 

While maintaining our identity as a Syrian LGBTQIA+ organization, ATF serves as a task force committed to expanding our response to support fellow Queer individuals and organizations in other countries. Our goal is to enhance Queer emergency and rapid response strategies. 

LGBTQIA+ individuals are among the most affected groups in natural disasters and conflict crises, as they are already vulnerable before any crisis occurs. and the disasters and crises add insult to injury in the Queer Context,  

How it Works: 

The ATF team, as part of the GEM organization, intervenes to assist local LGBTQIA+ or and LGBQTAI+ allies and Related organizations during active emergencies. We provide tools for emergency management, aid in handling emergency funding, and mobilize resources for their responses. The intervention process is locally centered, acknowledging the expertise of the local organization in their context. Our role is to support their expertise by sharing from our experiences and expertise, taking into account intersectional contexts, and sharing our lessons learned. 

In times of crisis, local aid providers may find themselves affected too by the crisis, and local resources may diminish, requiring support and backup from abroad. ATF intervenes to organize efforts based on the needs expressed by the local organization, following their lead on necessary actions. 

What it Looks Like: 

Fundraising and Funding Rescuing, Donors Relations and grant Management: 

When GEM has an existing donor network, rapid response becomes more efficient by avoiding time wasted on due diligence procedures. Local organizations often are part of the GEM network, allowing ATF to facilitate communication between donors and local efforts, ensuring rapid response funding. If necessary, ATF\ GEM can conduct due diligence processes for the response and its partners, which may be challenging for local NGOs, especially when they are crisis victims too as aid workers. 

Advocacy and policy:  

ATF\GEM mobilizes and advocates for LGBTQIA+ individuals in the crisis to garner international attention and awareness. This involves providing official statements, reports, needs assessments, and info sheets. Local organizations serve as sources for this data, with ATF organizing and promoting it. 

Program Advising: 

Drawing from our experiences, we share insights on crisis management, response strategies, lessons learned, and technical expertise from our staff, including financial team support, mental health advisers, protection, and emergency experts. 

The most recent Emergencies and disasters Response Experiences of GEM: 

1. Rapid response for the Syrian LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders at risk.
2. Our Syria and Turkey earthquake response.
3. The emergency protection response for the Hate attacks campaign against the LGBTIQA+ people in the Near East
4. Emergency Response Campaign. New Criminalization Laws in Iraq
5. Emergency Response Campaign for the deportation of Syrian LGBTQA+ refugees from Türkiye.