عربي

Syrians are suffering from sanctions [1]. 

The latest U.S. and EU sanctions on Syria are some of the most complicated and far-reaching sanctions ever imposed [2].  Sanctions are hindering individuals, CSOs, NGOs and local communities from normalizing their lives after the conflict.  Today 13.4 million Syrians depend on assistance to cope with daily life.  Eight million Syrians are unable to satisfy basic needs.  500,000 children suffer malnutrition [3].  The national spending dropped below 163 USD per capita per year and is now among the lowest in the world [4].  A Syrian child’s overall life expectancy has been reduced by 13 years [5].

Experts and organizations from the humanitarian, development and economic sector attest to the negative implications from the sanctions against Syria.

The implications on Syria were broadly assessed and have proven dysfunctional in achieving their intended goals.  According to several independent international organizations [6]:

• Sanctions have a direct negative impact on children, women and families and the scope of humanitarian response, notably critical logistical pipelines and financial channels;
• Sanctions are a major driver of Syria’s dependency on international aid which also adds pressure on the humanitarian response;
• Sanctions are increasing the cost of living and humanitarian operations [7];
• Sanctions hinder rebuilding the lives of Syrians, of whom 90% live below the international poverty line of 1.25 USD/day [8] and lack access to essential services such as food, water, sanitation, medical services, education, electricity and other basic needs.

Recommendations from Syria-based development organizations are regularly disregarded by international policy makers and political powers.

Solutions to mitigate the negative implications from sanctions were proposed by national and international development-sector partners.  The most modest recommendations [9] were not even heard before February 9 2023 when the earthquake death toll was already in the thousands [10].  Some of those include:

• Recommendations to clarify the regulations on humanitarian exemptions;
• Recommendations to provide legal services and support to comply with sanctions;
• Recommendations to facilitate dedicated humanitarian banking channels;
• Recommendations to revitalize trust-building dialogue;
• Recommendations for Syrian-based international organizations to overcome banking challenges.

On paper, exemptions from Syria sanctions to enable humanitarian aid exist but they are not actually applied [11].

Reality proves that help from abroad intended to support victims of the earthquake or intended to rebuild Syria’s civil society face sever obstacles:

• Although humanitarian operations are exempted from sanctions, banks and suppliers are afraid of the drastic ramifications of doing business related to Syria [12];
• Although individuals, organizations and investors from abroad are eager to engage in civil, cultural, or business-related activities, costs linked to the sanctions and prohibitive legal hurdles prevent them from doing so;
• Although Syria has natural resources and talents, the long-term ramifications of the sanctions gradually diminish Syria’s own capacity to rebuild itself.

The consequences of these shortcomings became dramatically obvious when the earthquake hit the region on Feb 6, 2023.

The chances of a Syrian victim of the earthquake to be saved and to receive humanitarian aid are not the same as those of victims outside Syrian borders.  Both deserve humanitarian aid and the same chance to return to a normal life.

Our plea to humanitarian aid providers:

Syrians affected by the earthquake and those seeking to save their lives are in urgent need of heavy and light evacuation machinery, different types of bulldozers, cranes, and drilling vehicles, canned food, mattresses and blankets, winter clothes, medical support, nursing milk, diapers for children and elderly people and women hygiene products [13].  Moreover, engineers to examine and clear or seal affected buildings and infrastructure are needed.

Our plea to those who wish to support Syrians affected by the earthquake from abroad through cash and in-kind donations:

Syrian lives depend on your direct donations to friends and family in Syria, to local NGOs and CSOs and to international organizations operating in Syria.  Please refer to US OFAC General License no. 23 that exempts direct transfers related to earthquake relief efforts in Syria [14].

Our plea to the decision makers of the sanctions:

Humanity can prevail over politics with your decisions:

• Enable Syria’s local NGOs and CSOs to receive available funds from abroad quickly and without ramifications [15].
• Decriminalize and facilitate purchases and services that are intended for humanitarian purposes.
• Grant Syrians access to products and services that increase their life expectancy and lift their quality of life.

Lift sanctions that penalize Syria’s civil society.  It is now a matter of humanitarian and practical urgency to lift unilateral economic sanctions immediately [16].  These policy changes are needed to save lives today and to give Syrian’s a fair chance to rebuild their country tomorrow.

Check the list of Humanitarian Organizations

References:

[1]     Carter Center (2020)

[2]     ESCWA report to UN (2016)

[3]     SARC (2023); HNA OCH`A Report (2023); etc.

[4]     CIA World Factbook (2018)

[5]     Frontier Economics and World Vision (2021)

[6]    ICRC (2022);  UN Special Rapporteur on the Right of Food (2022);  etc.

[7]     UN report quoting international and local organizations

[8]     ICRC (2022)

[9]     Damascus based INGOs (2021); etc.

[10]   180 days exemption for earthquake relief efforts (OFAC General License 23)

[11]   Team of Special Rapporteurs of the Human Right Council (Aug. 7, 2020)

[12]   ICRC (2022)

[13]   Rescue teams and volunteers, Aleppo (Feb 8, 2023)

[14]   https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1261

[15]   Reported by the signing parties (Feb 9, 2023)

[16]   UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food