Shaaban: Syria welcomes any initiative to help in facing repercussions of earthquake, provided that it is not politicized

Special Adviser to the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic, Dr. Buthaina Shaaban, affirmed that Syria welcomes any initiative presented by countries and international organizations to help confront the catastrophic effects of the earthquake, provided that this is done without politicization.

Shaaban said in an interview with the British Sky News channel on Wednesday: “Syria, hours after the earthquake occurred, appealed to the member states of the United Nations, the agencies of the international organization and its specialized funds, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian action partners from international governmental and non-governmental organizations to help it and support its efforts in facing the disaster in accordance with the standards of humanitarian action approved by the United Nations, and in coordination and cooperation with the Syrian government. This confirms that we accept aid from all countries, provided that it is not politicized.”

Shaaban added, “We accept assistance from the West, and if the United States and the European Union offer to provide it, we accept it, but they did not offer any assistance despite the appeal of the President of the International Red Cross to all countries of the world to contribute to that. The West provides assistance to support terrorists in the regions located outside the control of the Syrian state, and is primarily concerned with protecting “ISIS”, “Al-Nusra Front” and the “White Helmets” and does not care about the areas where most Syrians live.”

Shaaban indicated that a large number of friendly and brotherly countries sent aid to Syria to overcome the repercussions of the disaster. Western countries claim that providing this aid violates Security Council resolutions, although these resolutions are clear as they confirm that humanitarian aid is not subject to any sanctions and that its delivery to countries that are exposed to humanitarian disasters and terrorist attacks are permissible, which applies to the situation in Syria. She underlined the need to lift the illegal Western economic measures imposed on Syria, which caused the suffering of its people and prevented state institutions from performing their role optimally in facing the repercussions of the earthquake.

Inas Abdulkareem