Suspension of UN Food Aid to Syrian Refugees Shifts the Syrian Coalition’s Focus to Arab States

Nasr al-Hariri, Secretary General of the Syrian Coalition, said that the UN World Food Program’s (WFP) suspension of food aid to Syrian refugees places greater responsibility on the Arab countries, especially on our brothers in the Gulf States, to help the victims of the murderous Assad regime. The onset of winter further exacerbates the plight of the Syrian refugees who are struggling to provide food and shelter for their children, some of whom are freezing to death in the refugee camps. Hariri also said that the timing of taking such a decision did not take into account the latest changes taking place in the Syrian crisis. “While billions of dollars are being budgeted to fight terrorism, the UN has decided to cut the humanitarian aid which is considered one of the most important tactical steps that cannot not be ignored in this decisive phase. Moreover, this decision runs contrary to the strategy that the international community has adopted to fight terrorism because it would create the suitable conditions for the production of extremism and terrorism among the displaced and refugees. We therefore call for the UN to reconsider its decision and shoulder its responsibilities in the face of the social and political unrest that is sweeping the region. It is unreasonable how the world has collectively rushed to form the anti-ISIS coalition while failing to feed hungry children and provide shelter for the homeless woman.” Hariri had previously warned of the catastrophic consequences of the UN’s decision to cut humanitarian aid to Syrians ravaged by the war by 40%, calling for reconsidering this move which would “add to the suffering of the Syrian people.” (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)