EU changed sanctions against Syria for better delivery of humanitarian aid
Feb 24, 2023
Brussels [Belgium], February 24: The European Union (EU) has decided to change the sanctions against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in order to facilitate the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to that country after the earthquake, the EU Council announced this evening.
"Given the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, which was aggravated by the earthquake, the Council decided today to adopt an additional humanitarian amendment to facilitate the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid," the statement on the EU website states, adding that the amendment will be valid for six months.
With that amendment, the EU waived the need for humanitarian organizations to seek prior permission from the competent authorities of EU member states for the transfer or provision of services for humanitarian purposes.
The statement reminds that EU sanctions are applied against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his supporters, and on sectors of the economy from which the regime made profits.
The sanctions regime does not prohibit the export of food, medicine or medical equipment to Syria and does not target the Syrian health system.
Those sanctions include a broad humanitarian exception to ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to any part of the now-divided country.
The Council expressed deep concern over the situation in Syria, where the conflict is far from over and remains a source of suffering and instability.
The devastating earthquake on February 6 added to the suffering of the Syrian population.
It is recalled that the EU and its member states are the leading donors of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Syria.
"Since 2011, the total humanitarian funding of the European Union and its member states for the crisis in Syria (Syria plus neighboring countries) is 27.4 billion euros. After the earthquake, the EU and its member states have already provided 5.5 million euros for solving the most urgent needs, as additional humanitarian aid for all affected areas," the announcement states.
About 47,000 people died in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and due to the consequences, the destinations of millions of people need help.
Source: Beta News Agency
