Since early July, an estimated 250,000 to 275,000 civilians have been cut off from humanitarian aid due to shifting front lines in the war in Syria. If humanitarian corridors are not restored immediately then hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. The S&D Group is calling on all parties to enable unconditional, unimpeded and sustained access for humanitarian groups as soon as possible.
S&D vice-president and spokesperson for humanitarian aid, Enrique Guerrero Salom, said:
“We need to see an immediate cease to hostilities to ensure that humanitarian aid can get to the places where it is needed most. The basic human rights of hundreds of thousands of people are under severe threat. Protection must be guaranteed to all those trapped in Aleppo based on the principles of neutrality and impartiality. A weekly 48-hour humanitarian pause would allow humanitarian groups to get the necessary supplies to those in need. The suffering of civilians cannot be used for political leverage, the Security Council and the international community must work with greater urgency to bring an end to the hostilities.”
S&D MEP and chair of the European Parliament subcommittee on human rights, Elena Valenciano, added:
“The situation in Aleppo has deteriorated gravely over the last month. The attacks on hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure must stop. All sides must respect basic human rights and international humanitarian law. If we do not act immediately, hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of starvation and disease. Those wounded in the war and those with serious illnesses must be treated as a priority. All parties to the conflict must respect the rules of war and international humanitarian law. The international community must make re-establishing access its overwhelming priority to prevent more needless loss of life.”
