Press Statement

Salem Al Meslet

Spokesperson of the Syrian Coalition

April 01, 2015

“We are deeply grateful to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah for hosting the Third International Pledging Conference for Syria today. The $3.8 billion in pledges made yesterday by the participants offer a vital boost to the UN’s efforts to raise $8.4 billion to fund its humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis through its Syria Response Plan and the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan. This effort will save the lives of many Syrians. However for millions more Syrians the suffering will only continue as the international humanitarian system struggles to deal with the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II.

“In parallel to the funding shortage faced by humanitarian agencies, is the worsening situation on humanitarian access. As the Syrian revolution enters its 5th year, the Assad regime continues to implement a state policy of using aid access as a weapon of war in direct violation of international law. As the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon set out clearly in his latest report to the UN Security Council on March 23, delivery of the humanitarian aid continues to be systematically blocked by Assad and ISIS. This is a further example of the nexus between the tyrant and the terrorists.

“The tragedy in Syria has been unfolding for more than four years now. Each year the humanitarian situation only worsens and the needs on the ground for food and medicine grow. The UN appeal in 2013 was for $1.5 billion, $6.5 billion last year, and $8.4 billion this year to fund its programmes. The figure for next year is impossible to predict, but what is certain is that it is going to be staggeringly higher unless the international community takes serious concrete measures to put an end to the war. This requires a new approach whereby a comprehensive strategy sets out a clear path towards a political transition. An essential part of this strategy is the urgent need for a no fly zone to protect hundreds of thousands of Syrians and create the necessary space for humanitarian needs and effective delivery of aid.”