Syria and the earthquake
by Karin Leukefeld,* Syria
(14 February 2023) (Red.) “Swiss Standpoint” asked Karin Leukefeld, a freelance journalist accredited in Syria, for a short statement on the severe earthquake of 6 February 2023. Next week we will publish her detailed report on the consequences of this catastrophe.
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(10 February 2023) The massive earthquake that struck the Turkish-Syrian border area in the early hours of 6 February 2023 has claimed more than 21.000 lives, according to UN figures. The number of injured is put at more than 50.000. The number of victims is rising by the hour, the extent of the destruction is becoming clear.
For people beyond all borders, the disaster is a terrible experience and a heavy burden. War-torn Syria, internationally isolated from the West, can hardly shoulder the burden. War and economic war, flight and displacement, death and destruction – since 2011, Syria has lost everything it had built on its own.
ICRC Appeal: Families in Syria need you
The devastating earthquakes that have killed thousands of people in southern Turkey and northwestern Syria have left children and their families deeply shaken and without shelter in the midst of the freezing winter.
The situation is critical. The more time passes, the more urgent the need for humanitarian aid becomes, with many people still trapped under the rubble.
We need your help to do more
The ICRC is deployed in Syria, where the earthquake is adding to a humanitarian tragedy that has now lasted twelve long years. It is working closely with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to provide emergency medical supplies, blankets, mattresses, food and other essentials to people in Aleppo, Homs, Latakia and Tartus.
The humanitarian situation in Syria is catastrophic and cannot be ignored. Only by joining forces can we be truly effective and deliver aid where it is needed most.
We are counting on your support!
PLEASE HELP NOW
https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/syria-emergency
The unilaterally imposed punitive economic measures (sanctions) against Syria by the EU in 2011 and the USA in 2019 are blocking direct aid deliveries for the earthquake victims. Heavy equipment and fuel are missing.
Major differences are becoming apparent in the internationally promised aid for the people in the devastated areas. The USA and the EU and their associated aid organisations are helping in Turkey and in parts of the Syrian province of Idlib, which is controlled by armed groups. Syria receives aid from neighbouring Arab countries, from India and from its allies Russia, Iran and China.
Internationally, the demand for the lifting of unilateral punitive economic measures imposed by the rich Western states has become so loud that the USA feels pressured to make concessions. On 10 February, the US Treasury Department announced1 that it would suspend sanctions on financial transactions for Syria for 180 days. However, this only applies to relief goods needed to deal with the earthquake damage. All other sanctions, including those imposed by the EU, will (still) remain in place.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today issued “Syria General License (GL) 23”, which allows for 180 days all transactions related to earthquake relief that would otherwise be prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR). (9 February 2023)
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1261?fbclid=IwAR2lAk8ayIL13lZLq20TLKC6RNi8GONet-bLs_AiHv5LOjtDrapUVac3AB4&mibextid=5zvaxg