Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
February 12, 2023
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) asserts that the United Nations’ handling of the earthquake crisis in Syria was politicized and did not adequately consider the needs of each region. Support was directed towards the Assad regime by United Nations organizations, leaving civilians in the liberated areas to suffer amidst the rubble.
As a result, the SOC calls for immediate action from the international community. This includes providing relief to the earthquake victims, sending specialized teams, and establishing urgent shelters for families left homeless by the disaster. The SOC also calls for the UN Secretary-General and the UN special envoy to Syria to take swift action and open more humanitarian border crossings to the affected areas in northwestern Syria.
The United Nations has failed to effectively address the earthquake disaster in the liberated areas, which requires the opening of an immediate investigation into the cause of this inadequate response.
The disaster in the liberated areas has exceeded the capabilities of current organizations and requires an international response plan with direct impact to alleviate the difficult circumstances faced by the people in northwestern Syria in the coming months.
