On 15 June 2012, the Humanitarian Policy Group of the Overseas Development Institute (HPG/ODI) held a closed-door roundtable on the Syria crisis. The aim of the roundtable was to provide a forum for humanitarian partners to share information and discuss how best to respond to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian needs and security situation in Syria. Bringing representatives of the leading aid agencies together with senior figures with direct experience of humanitarian work in Syria, it encouraged reflection on the current response of the international community and what impact the humanitarian response will have on the civilian population. The roundtable also considered the ability of humanitarian actors to assess and respond to needs on the ground and what options are available in efforts to reach people in need.