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Red Cross delivers humanitarian assistance to affected communities in Syria

As the situation in Syria deteriorates with a recent increase in violence, many affected communities remain disconnected and without any outside support. Marianne Gasser, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Syria, said: "We are greatly concerned about the consequences of the unrest from a humanitarian viewpoint and about the current deterioration of the situation. The population, particularly the wounded and sick, are bearing the brunt of the violence."

The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has been providing emergency relief assistance to affected regions. With the support of Red Cross Movement partners Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARC) teams continue to operate in an insecure and dangerous environment, providing emergency relief, First Aid, medicine and food supplies.

The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is the only humanitarian organization able to operate in Syria.

Increased violence is limiting movement for affected populations as well as for aid workers. Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers face violence and danger every day in Syria. On January 25, the Secretary General of the SARC was killed while travelling in a vehicle clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem. Volunteers often provide assistance to their communities despite personal losses resulting from the conflict.

The Movement’s neutrality is particularly critical in times of conflict. Neutrality enables it to work with all sides of the conflict to improve access for humanitarian assistance and allows staff and volunteers to access wounded civilians and fighters, and visit prisoners to ensure basic standards are met.

The ICRC is working with all parties to the conflict, to establish a daily halt in fighting to allow humanitarian access to communities. In recent weeks, local Red Crescent staff and volunteers have managed to enter some of the country’s most violence-affected regions, providing critical humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in Homs, rural areas around Damascus, and to people gathering in the city of Bludan. Volunteers are distributing humanitarian supplies, including food parcels for 85,000 people, 3,000 blankets, hygiene supplies for 8,400 people, and school supplies for 30,000 children.

The Canadian Red Cross this week pledged $75,000 from its International Disaster Response Fund to support humanitarian assistance in the country.  The Canadian Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely and is ready to assist with emergency personnel and supplies if requested.

Posted:  February 24, 2012