Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
January 15, 2024
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) emphasizes the critical need for an urgent international response to address the fundamental humanitarian needs of displaced individuals in Syria. The suffering has escalated significantly during the winter months, exacerbated by torrential rain and storms. The low level of humanitarian support reaching liberated areas is a direct consequence of the United Nations’ continued tolerance of the politicization of the humanitarian file. This is evident in the UN’s requirement for the Assad regime’s prior approval for the entry of humanitarian aid to areas beyond its control, essentially placing the lives of millions of Syrians in the hands of the regime.
The current situation is further compounded by the decreasing fulfillment of aid pledges by donor countries, particularly following various meetings, including the Brussels donor conferences. This has resulted in a widening gap between the actual humanitarian needs of displaced persons and refugees and the aid provided to them.
Linking the distribution of humanitarian aid to the approval of the Assad regime is emblematic of the mishandling of the international response to the relief aid issue. The regime exploits aid as a bargaining tool to disrupt the political process in Syria, employing siege and starvation as weapons against Syrian civilians since the onset of the Syrian Revolution in 2011.
The SOC warns about the peril of neglecting or failing to support the population in liberated areas, as it will exacerbate the already catastrophic living conditions for hundreds of thousands of people. Many are left with only makeshift shelters that barely shield their children from the harsh winter elements. There is also a heightened risk of an increased percentage of families falling below the hunger line, with millions facing imminent danger due to the shortage of food, medicine, and essential care.
The SOC urgently calls on the international community and the United Nations to establish a fair mechanism that prevents the politicization of humanitarian issues, particularly aid distribution. The SOC advocates for the safe and non-discriminatory entry of aid to those in need throughout Syria, with a robust monitoring system to ensure equitable distribution. This monitoring is crucial in areas controlled by the Assad regime to prevent theft by regime militias, which wield significant influence in regime-held regions.
The SOC underscores that the humanitarian aid issue should not be subject to negotiations, as it directly impacts the lives of millions of Syrian men and women. There is an urgent need to address the root causes of the crisis, supporting the political process with determination, and implementing Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) comprehensively. Such actions will contribute to a sustainable resolution of the humanitarian crisis, preventing it from becoming the largest disaster in Syria’s history and one of the most significant in this century, as a result of continued international submission to the policies of the Assad regime and its backers.
