CEOs from Largest U.S.-Based Global NGO Alliance Call for Immediate, Unfettered Humanitarian Access in Syria

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fifty-two CEOs of major international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have signed on to a statement calling on all parties to the Syrian conflict to "immediately allow and facilitate unfettered humanitarian access throughout Syria" in response to what has become the biggest humanitarian crisis of our day. The statement was organized by InterAction – the largest alliance of U.S.-based global humanitarian and development NGOs.

"The scale of the Syria crisis continues to increase exponentially," reads the statement in part. "Nine million Syrians, approaching half of the country's pre-war population, have fled their homes. Six million people are internally displaced. Of this number, three million are trapped in hard-to-reach or besieged areas; an estimated 250,000 have been cut off from assistance for over a year. The suffering of Syrian civilians is alarming and overwhelming, with women and children disproportionately vulnerable to the violence and the effects of the war."

The statement, which is being provided to U.S. policymakers, is part of a global #WithSyria campaign aimed at raising widespread awareness and action in the week leading up to the March 15 third anniversary of the Syria uprising.

Along with humanitarian access, the InterAction CEO Statement calls on donor governments to meet the 2014 UN humanitarian funding appeal of $6.5 billion for the Syria crisis, and to continue to support neighboring countries and host communities that are generously supporting refugees.

"InterAction members are integral to the humanitarian response effort," said Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction. "But access has become ever more precarious and assaults on aid workers have continued unabated. If serious action isn't taken, we will lose an entire generation of young people to this war."

More than 5 million Syrian children have already been affected, added Worthington.

The following organizations' CEOs have signed the statement: American Friends Service Committee; American Refugee Committee; American Relief Agency for Horn of Africa; AmeriCares; Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team; Basic Education Coalition; BRAC USA; CARE; Church World Service; Center for Civilians in Conflict; CONCERN Worldwide U.S., Inc.; Doctors of the World USA; Feed the Children; Global Communities; Global Links; Handicap International USA; Heartland Alliance; Heifer International; HIAS; InterAction; International Emergency and Development Aid; International Medical Corps; International Relief & Development; International Relief Teams; International Rescue Committee; International Social Service – United States of America Branch, Inc.; IntraHealth International, Inc.; Jesuit Refugee Service/USA; Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; Management Sciences for Health; Mennonite Central Committee U.S.; Mercy Corps; Mercy – USA for Aid and Development; National Association of Social Workers; Oxfam America; Plan International USA; Presbyterian Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry; Refugees International; Relief International; ReSurge International; Save the Children; Seva Foundation; United Nations Foundation; United Methodist Committee on Relief; U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants; Water for South Sudan; Winrock International; World Concern; World Food Program USA; World Neighbors; World Renew; and World Vision.

For more information on InterAction, humanitarian organizations responding to Syria crisis, and the #WithSyria campaign, visit www.interaction.org.  

Tweet this:  52 CEOs of leading international NGOs call for immediate humanitarian access in #Syria: http://bit.ly/1f9nhUh #WithSyria @InterActionOrg

InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 180 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org.

SOURCE InterAction

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