Extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Syria after seven years of war and, in particular, about that of civilians in eastern Ghouta, who have suffered intense bombing in the attempt of the government's forces to retake the area, MEPs launched a call on Thursday 1 March, in full respect of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2401, to enable the urgent channelling of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of the wounded and most vulnerable.
Their concerns and call were expressed in a debate with European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. All underlined the need for a political solution, as part of the negotiation process in Geneva, for the intense suffering of the people to be brought to an end.
"The situation in Syria is tragic. In recent day the regime's shelling has claimed over 550 lives, including 120 children, women, elderly and vulnerable people. Thousands of wounded are in a situation of absolute emergency", European Parliament President Antonio Tajani stated.
"The UN Security Council resolution is not currently being respected. No interest can justify the barbarism, ethnic cleansing and massacre of innocents. No situation can justify the abuse of people's weakness when they are in a situation of suffering", he added.
And he said it was the Parliament's "duty" to engage strongly in order to defend the Syrians who "have the right to live in their country", and to send them a message of solidarity. It is only at the plenary session in Strasbourg in March that their message with be the subject of a Parliament resolution.
For Stylianides, the UN resolution is only a first step in the right direction. "A ceasefire is now needed with a real humanitarian pause for at least ten consecutive days", he said.
Stylianides stated that the aid from the EU to eastern Ghouta cannot be delivered because of a lack of humanitarian access.
"We are in close contact with five UN agencies, including the HCR, and NGOs. It is urgent for us to be able to have access to our partners and to provide them with the help they request. The aid is blocked in warehouses and this is unacceptable", he said. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)