Amnesty urges end to Syria crisis

Amnesty International has called on the international community to take action to end the suffering of millions of Syrian civilians.

The international aid organization said on Monday that many of Syrian people are at risk of starvation and face shortages of enough shelter and medical care.

“The world’s response to the Syria crisis so far has been woefully inadequate,” said Amnesty’s Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program Philip Luther.

“At the end of 2013 the UN humanitarian appeal – the largest in the organization’s history – was just 70 percent funded. This meant that vital aid was cut off to some of the most vulnerable victims of Syria’s brutal conflict who were left to face the bitter winter months with minimal resources.”
Amnesty added that some countries such as the United Arab Emirates, one of the richest countries within the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, had promised to make financial contributions, but has so far failed to fully materialize it.

Russia has also made minimal contributions to the humanitarian effort for the Syrians, despite Moscow’s political interest in Damascus, according to Amnesty.

Luther also stated that the world “cannot repeat the mistakes of last year. Offers of assistance will make no difference if that help fails to arrive.”

“This year world powers, particularly those with the financial means to do so, must ensure that the promises they make are kept. The donor conference offers world leaders a chance to prove they have not abandoned the Syrian people,” he added, referring to a conference scheduled to be held in Kuwait on Wednesday.

The conference is aimed at raising money for the $6.5-billion humanitarian appeal.

Crisis has gripped Syria since March 2011. According to statistics compiled by the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced due to the turmoil.