The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) has warned of an impending humanitarian disaster due to the continued decrease in humanitarian aid, the decline in the fulfillment of commitments by donor countries, and the rising number of displaced persons in liberated areas, especially with the approaching winter season. The SOC has called on the international community to ensure that countries fulfill their commitments swiftly and step up support, as poverty and hunger levels have reached record highs.
The SOC’s Secretary-General, Haytham Rahmeh, said that a large number of Syrian displacement camps need reconstruction and are unable to withstand floods and storms. He added that, as in previous years, the recent military escalation by the Assad regime and its allies in the liberated areas has led to new waves of displacement, further exacerbating the suffering of the population and posing an even greater challenge for the United Nations and its agencies.
Rahmeh pointed out that the United Nations’ submission to the political blackmail of the regime, by conditioning the delivery of humanitarian aid to liberated areas on the regime’s prior approval, effectively means accepting the regime’s control over the lives of millions of Syrians. This also strengthens the regime’s ability to continue obstructing the political process in Syria.
Rahmeh called for urgent international action to secure winter needs and prevent a disaster from occurring. He emphasized the importance of finding an appropriate mechanism that prevents the politicization of humanitarian issues and guarantees that aid reaches those in need without discrimination.
Rahmeh stressed that the humanitarian issue should not be used as a bargaining chip, as it concerns the lives of millions of Syrians. He also emphasized the need to address the root causes of the crisis before dealing with its consequences to achieve a sustainable solution.
Rahmeh argued that Syria requires strong support for the political process and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015), which would automatically contribute to a sustainable solution to the humanitarian crisis.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
