Sanctions hampering reconstruction of Syria

The EPP Group's Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue organised a webinar conference today entitled ‘The next day in Syria: humanitarian exceptions to EU sanctions against Syria. Why they don't work out’.

High-ranking speakers from organisations of the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Churches as well as NGOs active in humanitarian assistance participated in the webinar conference.

György Hölvényi MEP, Co-Chair of the Working Group who visited Syria in the last parliamentary term, launched the conference by pointing out that international sanctions against Syria are unfortunately hampering reconstruction efforts. Among the many negative results, the Christian youth is being prevented from returning and building their future homes.

"We need to identify solutions by bringing the churches on board in humanitarian cooperation", said Hölvényi.

“During my fact-finding mission to Syria in early 2018, I was deeply impressed by the testimony and commitment of churches for the people in dire need, to an extent truly unimaginable for us in Europe”, underlined Hölvényi.

“Faith-based organisations are crucial actors in ensuring that effective aid is provided to civilians broken and crippled by war, as is also required under international humanitarian law”, concluded Hölvényi.

Today, as we head towards the end of 2020, the humanitarian needs of people remain immense. Millions of children and young adults require educational support; approximately 15 million people lack access to clean drinking water and around 11.5 million people lack access to adequate healthcare. Furthermore, millions of Syrians require nutritional support.