President al-Assad: Aid Delivery for the Displaced, because of Terrorists Crimes, Facilitating Relief Operations without Compromising National Sovereignty

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ President Bashar al- Assad met yesterday with members of the Supreme Committee for Relief, chaired by Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Kinda al-Shammat, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Wael Halaqi.

Participants in the meeting reviewed steps carried out by the Higher Committee for Relief in securing humanitarian aid to those in need in various Syrian governorates and the role played by ministries and agencies concerned with relief and civil associations in the context of the committee ‘s work.

President al-Assad said that the humanitarian issue and its implications is a priority for the Syrian State, a matter which requires further efforts by all sides concerned with this file and investment of all resources at maximum energies in order to provide all needs for shelter, food and medicine to every citizen who was obliged to move because of the crimes committed by terrorist groups in certain areas.

President Assad stressed that the state is responsible for providing care for all its citizens and to secure their needs not only in places of displacement, but in s areas, encircled by terrorists, pointing out that ministries and departments concerned are making great efforts in this regard and have succeeded in many cases in getting out civilians from the besieged areas and ensured their accommodation.

President al-Assad indicated the need to increase cooperation between the ministries and departments operating in humanitarian and the importance of delivering aid without delay and continue working on the ground with all sides involved, internally and externally in order to facilitate the relief process without compromising national sovereignty until the achievement of the ultimate goal of a safe return of every Syrian citizen to his home.

For his part, the prime minister explained that the government is keen to provide all needs of the relief file and overcome obstacles impeding it, including administrative routine or logistical difficulties, the government seeks to solve.

Minister al-Shammat stressed that eliminating the routine would help speeding up the work of the Higher Committee for Relief, pointing out that the biggest obstacle facing the work of the committee is the terrorist groups attacks against  relief convoys.

For their part, representatives of civil society and other entities that are part of the Higher Committee for Relief gave proposals that strengthen the committee ‘s role in humanitarian efforts.

T. Fateh