Statement by European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, on new mass displacements in Aleppo, Syria

Yesterday the international community came together in London to express its solidarity with the people of Syria and pledged more than $10 billion in support of the people of Syria suffering from nearly five years of war.

This was a very strong statement! But there was also agreement that extra money alone would not solve the problem. Neither will there be a military solution to this conflict.

We need a political solution.

We need a stop of the fighting, a lifting of all sieges.

We need all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians. To grant those most in need full access to humanitarian aid in respect of international humanitarian law.

Reports reaching us from Aleppo, Da’ra and other places across Syria on an intensification of fighting triggering new mass displacements are extremely worrying. More than 15,000 newly-displaced have fled Aleppo to the border with Turkey, which already hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees. In addition, humanitarian operations have been severely hampered by the military operations, with people being cut off from life-saving food and medical supplies. 

We appeal to all parties to the conflict to show restraint and ensure the protection of the people of Syria. London was a welcome and much needed sign of  unity. Actions on the ground should follow this spirit and not further aggravate the human suffering. The people of Syria have already suffered enough.

بيان من المفوض خريستوس ستيليانيدس حول موجات نزوح جديدة من حلب ودرعا بسبب تصاعد القتال بعد مؤتمر لندن.