Brussels, 11 May 2022 (TDI): The ICRC and IFRC issued a joint statement at the Brussels VI Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region.” The statement focuses on the needs of IFRC National Societies as well as global efforts.
Syria is now in its eleventh year of the unending disaster. Humanitarian aid is still needed in the country. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have urged the international community to remember the country.
Syria’s people require ongoing unity and solid support. This will assist them in dealing with continuous fighting as well as economic problems. This will aid them in managing the country’s damaged infrastructure and massive humanitarian needs.
At this time, at least 14.6 million individuals require assistance, with more people in need than ever before. Humanitarian actors such as the ICRC and the IFRC provide a lifeline in the face of huge needs.
Despite security challenges and political barriers, the movement is repairing key structures. It also aims to ensure that individuals have access to important services like clean water, power, and working health care.
As a result, the international community’s financial support is required to meet these humanitarian problems. The importance of continued humanitarian assistance cannot be ignored.
While the world’s attention has shifted to other problems, like Ukraine, millions of Syrians remain in need. Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC’s regional director for Near and Middle East said that,
“The armed conflict in Ukraine is adding another layer of challenge to the situation in Syria. We’re worried about more food insecurity and ever-increasing prices. Even if the Ukraine conflict ended tomorrow.
The underlying impact of the climate crisis and the pressure this is putting on water resources and food production would still leave us with many issues to cope with.”
ICRC and IFRC’s assistance
Since the beginning of the conflict, the movement has been responding to the needs of Syrians. Volunteers and employees have helped people in areas where others have been unable to help. This humanitarian crisis would have been considerably worse without them.
The IFRC Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Dr. Hossam Elsharkawi, raised concern over Syria. Every month, millions of Syrians receive assistance.
Humanitarian workers, on the other hand, must be nourished in order for this life-saving job to continue. All people, families, and communities in need must have safe, non-politically motivated access.
All participants in the conflict, including states, must assure that international humanitarian law is followed in their actions.
“We have seen with the Ukraine crisis how reducing restrictive measures on humanitarian activities has enabled our Movement to rapidly reach millions of people who need assistance, desperately.
I call on donors, to apply the same flexibility to the Syrian context. Ideally, by extending the same humanitarian exemptions and licenses. This will create better conditions to minimize unnecessary suffering and bring dignity to affected people,” he said.
Millions of Syrians residing outside their homeland still require assistance. The majority of those fleeing Syria’s violence is currently residing in neighboring nations.
Individuals who have left are being assisted by the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. The communities that house them are also supported.
Various efforts have been made by European countries. This was done in order to assist Syrians in integrating into their new communities. Offering psychosocial assistance programs is one of the actions.
It also involves controlling reception facilities and assisting in the reunification of family members who have been separated.
