Brussels, 28/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 May - the day when it decided to lift the arms embargo on Syria - the European Union said it was ready to increase its humanitarian aid. Expressing its alarm at the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Syria - at least 6.8 million people need aid - the EU urged all parties in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and human rights, and it reiterated that all those responsible for the atrocities will be held accountable for what they have done.
In its unanimous conclusions, the Council of the EU reiterates its express demand for all the parties to ensure full humanitarian access to the people that need help, and it calls in particular on the Syrian government to lift the obstacles that prevent this access. Damascus is also called to cooperate fully with the United Nations and the humanitarian organisations. The EU - which so far has committed over €800 million in humanitarian aid to Syria and its neighbouring countries - renews its commitment to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people in Syria and the neighbouring countries - especially Lebanon and Jordan - and it calls on all donors to keep their promises of increasing their humanitarian aid.
A few hours earlier, President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso stated: “I fear that Syria is now the biggest humanitarian crisis of the last decade. To address the deteriorating situation on the ground, we have further increased our humanitarian support as the largest donor. And we plan to do even more in the future.” Barroso was speaking at the end of his meetings with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Baroness Valerie Amos, and Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme Etharin Cousin - EU partners who channel some 60% of the aid that is provided. (AN/transl.fl)