Mercy Corps: Syria Cease-Fire Must Hold

GAZIANTEP, Turkey, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The global organization Mercy Corps calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to abide by the new cessation of hostilities agreement and allow all humanitarian agencies to deliver sustained and unfettered lifesaving assistance to civilians in Syria.

"Although we're seeing less fighting today, the massive onslaught of violence over these past two weeks would make almost anything look like improvement," says Xavier Tissier, North Syria Director for Mercy Corps. "We aren't going to celebrate a temporary break in targeted attacks on civilians and aid workers. The cessation of hostilities must hold for the long term."

More than 300 men, women and children across the north of Syria have died in the past two weeks, as the cessation of hostilities negotiated in February appeared to collapse. Despite deteriorating safety, Mercy Corps has continued to deliver essential supplies such as food baskets and hygiene kits to vulnerable civilians, including more than 45,000 people in Aleppo City.

"People are afraid to congregate in groups because they might form a target. We advise our team members not to travel in groups, and we are delivering supplies house-to-house," says Tissier. "We know our colleagues in Syria are risking their lives each and every day to bring some relief and comfort to their fellow citizens."

Mercy Corps has the largest non-governmental operation delivering assistance in Syria, reaching an estimated 570,000 vulnerable people per month. More than half of the people Mercy Corps is helping are under the age of 25, and one-fifth under the age of 15. The global organization is working hard to quickly replenish and pre-position its stocks before the fighting begins again.

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SOURCE Mercy Corps

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http://www.mercycorps.org