Cologne/Idlib. The civil war in Syria seemed to be in its final stages after the recapture of Aleppo by regime forces, but civilians are still suffering staggering violence as fighting intensifies in other embattled areas.
“The creation of so-called de-escalation zones in four regions of the country has indeed led to a reduction in violence,” says Janine Lietmeyer, Malteser International’s Country Desk Officer for Syria. “However, the Idlib province with its 1.5 million inhabitants and a million displaced persons, has seen a massive increase in air strikes since November 2017. More than 100,000 people have since fled the violence to seek refuge near the Turkish border where living conditions have become miserable as the civil war enters its seventh year.”
Camps and reception centers on the Syria-Turkish border have run out of shelter to accommodate the new arrivals, some of whom have been displaced for the second or third time since the beginning of the conflict. The presence of al-Quaeda’s Syrian affiliate Hayat Tahir al-Sham has also presented further challenges to humanitarian operations in the area.
“The West and the United Nations have failed in every attempt to find a political solution to the conflict and end the human suffering. The very little attention paid to this war by the western media is disproportionate to the ongoing tragedy faced by civilians. In order to alleviate further suffering, all political and diplomatic efforts should be made to at least ensure safe delivery of humanitarian aid.” states Lietmeyer.
In response to the current crisis, Malteser International is providing cross-border assistance from Turkey. Around one thousand families in Idlib are to receive mattresses and blankets. Since 2013, Malteser International has been working in partnership with local Syrian organisations to provide medical care and life-saving aid for displaced persons.
Note to editors:
Janine Lietmeyer, Country Desk Officer for Syria is available for interviews
Press contact:
Katharina Kiecol
Tel.: +49 (0)221 9822 7181,
katharina.kiecol(at)malteser-international.org
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Syria war: Human suffering continues as thousands flee violence in Idlib
A year ago, Malteser International distributed tents to displaced persons in Idlib. Photo: Malteser International
