InterAction Joins International Appeal to End Suffering In Syria

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On January 20, a group of 129 humanitarian organizations and UN agencies issued a joint appeal for immediate action to end the deadly conflict in Syria. The appeal calls on governments and citizens alike to join the signatories in urging all parties to the Syrian conflict to work towards, "an agreement on a ceasefire and a path to peace."

Speaking in response, InterAction CEO Sam Worthington said:

"Today InterAction joined with a group of roughly 130 humanitarian organizations and UN Agencies to express our solidarity with the people of Syria and say 'Enough.' Syria is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our day. Yet after four years we are no closer to a solution.

"The lives of millions have been devastated by the ongoing war in Syria. The photos and reports of innocent civilians so starved in Madya that they can barely move are heartbreaking. The global community must not let millions suffer in silence. I urge all who are tired of the political status quo to join us in our renewed call for action."

Released simultaneously online by the signatories, the appeal outlines a series of immediate, practical steps parties to the conflict can take to improve humanitarian access and the delivery of aid inside Syria. This includes:

• Providing unimpeded and sustained access for humanitarian organizations to bring immediate relief to all those in need inside Syria;
• Agreeing to humanitarian pauses and unconditional, monitored ceasefires to allow food and other urgent assistance to be delivered to civilians, vaccinations and other health campaigns, and for children to return to school;
• Permitting freedom of movement for all civilians and the immediate lifting of all sieges by all parties; and
• Agreeing to a cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure—so that schools and hospitals and water supplies are kept safe.

Worthington added, "It's not too late. Small, practical changes today could help save millions of lives."

BACKGROUND
Now in its fifth year, the crisis in Syria, remains the greatest humanitarian emergency of our day. The United Nations estimates that 7.6 million people have been internally displaced by violence while almost 4.1 million people have fled their homes, schools and communities and are now registered as refugees in neighboring countries.

Members of the public also can "sign" the appeal themselves by sharing it on social media. The appeal is available in Arabic, English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

ONLINE RESOURCES

• See the full text of the appeal with a list of signatories.
• Explore a list of InterAction members responding the conflict in Syria.
• Examine an interactive map of members working with Syrian refuges.

MORE ABOUT INTERACTION
InterAction is the largest alliance of international NGOs and partners in the U.S. Our 190+ members work in every country, partnering to eliminate extreme poverty and vulnerability, strengthen human rights and citizen participation, safeguard a sustainable planet, promote peace, and ensure dignity for all people. To learn more visit www.interaction.org.

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SOURCE InterAction

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