On Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said that Syria’s humanitarian aid lifeline is at risk, ICRC urging the World to step up its support for the war-torn country.
After defying a dozen years of endless battle, Syria sees itself at the mercy of a dire confluence of problems that need international support, said Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC’s regional director for the Near and Middle East.
Not only has the battle led to a tough humanitarian situation, but last month’s devastating earthquake that ruined northwest Syria and the extreme shortage of water has worsened an already alarming situation.
Carboni said that millions of people in Syria today depend on humanitarian assistance. That lifeline is dangerously at risk of fraying if the international community does not support Syria to the level that it needs.
Syria deserves the world’s solidarity and support. People have survived 12 years of grinding conflict in which people lost loved ones, livelihoods, and homes. For those in northwest of the country, the earthquake that struck last month left communities shaken and triggered a new wave of devastation.”
Carboni said.
Carboni’s statements come ahead of the Syria/Turkey earthquake pledging conference which is set to take place in Brussels on Monday.
The combined death toll of the earthquake in Syria and Turkey has climbed to more than 54,000. The quake also caused $5.1 billion in direct physical harm in Syria and $100 billion in Turkey.
Carboni added in a statement that more families are struggling to have enough to eat in a country that is already listed among the world’s most food insecure. People increasingly struggle to have safe drinking water as more than 50 percent of Syria’s water and sanitation systems no longer fully function. Many do not have access to medical care. He added that the ICRC’s work in Syria is “heavily under-funded.”
Last year, it was our most under-funded operation globally. Our hope is that donors increase their support so that communities in Syria receive the help they need and deserve.”
Fabrizio Carboni said.
