"Four years after the beginning of the crisis Syrians living in darkness - they are poor, they are afraid and suffer the loss of friends and the whole country," says David Miliband, director of the International Rescue Committee. "After four years is still not in sight no solution. It has killed more than 200,000 people and an incredible 11 million people had to leave their homes. Syria deserves more help from the international community - it's time to show that we did not give up and help Syrians turn to light their lamps, "says Miliband.
"Satellite images are the most objective source of data showing widespread destruction in Syria," says Dr. Xi Li, lead researcher on the project. "The shots taken from a height of 800 km above the ground allow us to understand the extent of suffering and distress, which must Syrians experience every day in his shattered country. In the worst-hit areas such as. Aleppo went out a whopping 97% of light. The only exception is the province of Damascus and Quneitra near the border with Israel, where the light fell by 35% and 47%, "explains Dr. Li.
Coalition of NGOs grouped under the name #WithSyria released a promotional video and a global petition on the web withsyria.com that appeals to the international community to help turn the lights on in Syria.
The basic steps should include:
Finding a political solution to the crisis that respects human rights
Strengthening humanitarian assistance in Syria and in countries where Syrian refugees are located, along with the strengthening of managed relocation
Immediate halt to attacks on civilians forces of the warring parties and stop blocking humanitarian aid
"The rise of terrorist groups crossing the borders of Syria sparked a global wave of fear and drew attention to the ground - but they also hid the suffering of ordinary Syrians and violence perpetrated by all parties to the conflict. Syrians medical personnel, humanitarian workers and teachers every day risking their lives to help their loved ones and neighbors, while the international community is still failing to find a political solution to end the violence, "says Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president of the Syrian American Medical Society.
At the end of 2014, the EU banned the export of aviation fuel to Syria, in order to limit air attacks on civilians by the Syrian government and in particular the so-called bombing. Cask dumping bombs from helicopters. Further sanctions against individuals and organizations supporting the Syrian regime, the EU adopted March 7, 2015, so that regime forced to search for a peaceful solution. These sanctions were introduced on the basis of three UN Security Council Resolution 2014, which called for the protection and assistance to civilians in Syria.
Since then, however, were killed thousands of Syrians have been displaced and more people than ever before. The report, "Failing Syria," shows how the warring parties and world powers utterly failed in fulfilling the objectives of these resolutions.
"2014 was the darkest year yet this terrible war. Civilians are despite the promises of the Security Council are protected, did not improve the access to humanitarian aid and funding assistance is declining, while needs grow. It is shocking how much we have people in Syria managed to disappoint, "said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council and former UN Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs.
Photo: archive PIN
Source: tz PIN, editorial correction