Maurer: Economic blockade on Syria widely affects society and economy

Damascus, SANA-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, stressed on Tuesday that the economic blockade on Syria widely affects the society, economy and the basic humanitarian needs.

Maurer said in press conference with Head of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), Khalid Haboubaty, that the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people increase because of the war against it and the citizens’ willingness to return to their homes in the liberated areas, and this requires a suitable infrastructure.

He pointed out that the current challenges are not merely providing suitable human needs, but politicizing the crisis in Syria, in particular, in Idleb, which creates a big challenge for the humanitarian work, indicating that Syria will receive a great attention from the Committee during the coming months.

Maurer described his talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Walid al-Moallem, and Deputy Foreign Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, as important, adding “we expressed our commitment to do our best to create a safe environment for providing the humanitarian aid to the people who are in need”.

Haboubati, for his part, said that the Committee continues its role in helping the people affected by the nearly 10-years crisis, adding that the international Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) is a key partner and the services that were delivered until the end of 2019 reached millions of people.

MH Ibrahim/ Mazen Eyon