Syrian Coalition Slams UN Decision to Cut Food Aid to Syrians

Nasr al-Hariri, Secretary General of the Syrian Coalition, criticized the United Nations’ decision to cut humanitarian aid it provides to 4.2 million Syrians ravaged by Assad’s war machine, describing this move as “unrealistic and unfair.” 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 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’s remarks followed the UN announcement that it would start cut food aid to Syrians because of a shortfall in funding. “We decided that because of the funding shortfall, we will provide food to everybody but its cut down to 60%  of the normal (food) basket,” the World Food Program’s assistant executive director Elisabeth Rasmusson told AFP in an interview. (Source: Syrian Coalition)