Don’t let earthquake shake hopes for peace in war-weary Syria

A few weeks ago, a deadly earthquake struck Turkey and Syria. The result was unfathomable destruction to people and infrastructure, with entire villages wiped out. Millions of people are now homeless. In the disaster area, hospitals are overwhelmed. Civilian infrastructure is severely damaged. Access to electricity, telecommunications, food, water, heating, and medical care are limited, all while freezing winter weather adds to the despair. International attention has focused primarily on Turkey, while war-torn Syria is all but forgotten. For 12 years, Syrians have been experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis. The war in Syria has already claimed more than 300,000 lives and caused 13.2 million refugees and displaced people to flee their homes. Infrastructure, like hospitals, was already partially destroyed by bombing. The earthquake destroyed what little infrastructure was still standing in Northern Syria, leaving survivors with too few resources and too little hope for recovery. Those most affected by war are among the least likely to benefit from assistance, as conflict complexifies the humanitarian response. Nearly three weeks after the earthquake, international aid is slowly reaching Syrians. In recognition of the absolutely desperate situation, the United States and allies have temporarily eased some of the sanctions against the Bashar al-Assad regime to facilitate humanitarian relief. Additional aid routes are being opened through the Bab al-Salama border crossing. These are encouraging developments. However, it is estimated that 15 million people are still in need of food and agricultural assistance—68 per cent of the population of Syria. The high commodity prices and limited access to essential humanitarian aid are still causing further population displacement. Those injured from war and the from the earthquake have little access to the health services they need. Untreated injuries can lead to long-term mental and physical disabilities, while lack of rehabilitation services for amputees impedes the ability of survivors to regain a fully productive life. Anne Delorme is the executive director of Humanity & Inclusion Canada. Photograph courtesy of Humanity & Inclusion Canada Populations previously spared from the indiscriminate carnage of landmines have a new reason for fear. It is likely that land mines and unexploded ordinances have migrated to new areas. The magnitude of the shock demolished the Al-Taloul dam, causing flooding in northwestern Syria. There is a strong chance that the flash floods moved explosive ordnances into areas which were previously free of this danger. When an area is infested with unexploded ordinances, it becomes too dangerous for rescuers to access, and impedes both social and economic development for generations to come. Now is the time for action. The international community must conquer donor fatigue and provide a full-scale humanitarian response in Syria. Canada has stepped up and committed $10-million in matching funds to the earthquake response in Turkey and Syria in funding to Canada’s Humanitarian Coalition which includes Humanity & Inclusion. This follows the government’s matching of $10-million in donations to the Red Cross. These are important measures, but more is urgently needed, specifically in Syria where the humanitarian emergency is most acute. This past November, Canada joined 82 other states in endorsing the first-ever international explosive weapons declaration to protect civilians in populated areas. When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, 90 per cent of victims are civilians. This historic agreement sends a clear message that bombings in cities and towns must end. Nowhere is this more urgent than in Syria, where bombings continue, even after the earthquake. Ending the war in Syria will take infinite persistence. Anything less than peace and dignity for all Syrian people is unacceptable. Canada and the international community must build on the few, but nonetheless promising, diplomatic developments towards implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, which outlines a roadmap for a peace process in Syria. Aid can be part of the solution. Studies have shown that raising economic conditions and peace building can be mutually reinforcing. However, aid done wrong can exacerbate tensions. Syria’s post-earthquake recovery must be carefully orchestrated in such a way that it serves as a catalyst for the peace process—if it includes peace-building and conflict-transformation strategies. The earthquake has caused so much suffering. We cannot let hopes for peace in Syria become another casualty. Anne Delorme is the executive director of Humanity & Inclusion Canada. The Hill Times