International Rescue Committee: The current phase in Syria represents a historic opportunity to support the recovery of Syrians
June 20, 202510 ViewsRead Time: 3 minutes
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The Director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) office in Syria, Tanya Evans, said that the current phase in Syria represents a historic opportunity to support the recovery of Syrians, due to the authorities' openness to dialogue with international humanitarian organizations.
In an exclusive interview with "Arabi21" website, Evans highlighted the outcomes of the first meeting between Syrian President Ahmed Sharah and IRC's Executive Director David Miliband, recently held in Damascus.
She stated: "The meeting reflects a new openness by the new Syrian authorities to dialogue with international organizations, an understanding of the scale of the humanitarian disaster, the importance of expanding public services, and rebuilding the severely damaged infrastructure over the previous years."
Evans called on the international community to increase humanitarian funding for Syria, abandon the approach of "doing more with less resources," and considered that this current phase represents a historic opportunity to support the recovery of Syrians, provided it is accompanied by political support and long-term funding that can be built upon.
She also emphasized the "need for a qualitative and urgent response to assist Syrians, based on humanitarian principles, away from politicization or conditionalities," and added: "We see political readiness, but we need to translate that into a practical impact that people can feel."
Regarding the impact of lifting and easing international sanctions on Syria, Evans considered that "despite some investments, tangible recovery in the lives of civilians has not been achieved yet, and procedural obstacles still hinder a more effective response by humanitarian organizations," welcoming any international efforts that would support economic recovery in Syria and improve the lives of civilians who have suffered from over a decade of displacement and hardship, hoping that the steps taken to lift sanctions would contribute to achieving that.
She said: "We are pleased to see an increase in private investments in Syria following the easing of sanctions, but achieving a tangible impact of these investments on the lives of Syrians will take some time."
Evans explained that the International Rescue Committee welcomes the efforts of the current Syrian government in encouraging humanitarian organizations to reach all needy Syrians, seizing this opportunity to expand its presence and work in areas that were previously inaccessible, reaffirming its commitment to providing a humanitarian response based on principles that meet the urgent needs of communities across Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed Sharah received the President of the International Rescue Committee, David Miliband, and his accompanying delegation at the People's Palace in Damascus on the 26th of last month, to discuss mechanisms and ways to enhance the committee's work and expand its operations in Syria.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a non-governmental organization aiming to provide humanitarian aid and international development. It started its work in Syria in 2012, facing obstacles preventing it from operating and providing aid in all Syrian territories, being hindered by the former regime from moving and working in areas under its control.
In an exclusive interview with "Arabi21" website, Evans highlighted the outcomes of the first meeting between Syrian President Ahmed Sharah and IRC's Executive Director David Miliband, recently held in Damascus.
She stated: "The meeting reflects a new openness by the new Syrian authorities to dialogue with international organizations, an understanding of the scale of the humanitarian disaster, the importance of expanding public services, and rebuilding the severely damaged infrastructure over the previous years."
Evans called on the international community to increase humanitarian funding for Syria, abandon the approach of "doing more with less resources," and considered that this current phase represents a historic opportunity to support the recovery of Syrians, provided it is accompanied by political support and long-term funding that can be built upon.
She also emphasized the "need for a qualitative and urgent response to assist Syrians, based on humanitarian principles, away from politicization or conditionalities," and added: "We see political readiness, but we need to translate that into a practical impact that people can feel."
Regarding the impact of lifting and easing international sanctions on Syria, Evans considered that "despite some investments, tangible recovery in the lives of civilians has not been achieved yet, and procedural obstacles still hinder a more effective response by humanitarian organizations," welcoming any international efforts that would support economic recovery in Syria and improve the lives of civilians who have suffered from over a decade of displacement and hardship, hoping that the steps taken to lift sanctions would contribute to achieving that.
She said: "We are pleased to see an increase in private investments in Syria following the easing of sanctions, but achieving a tangible impact of these investments on the lives of Syrians will take some time."
Evans explained that the International Rescue Committee welcomes the efforts of the current Syrian government in encouraging humanitarian organizations to reach all needy Syrians, seizing this opportunity to expand its presence and work in areas that were previously inaccessible, reaffirming its commitment to providing a humanitarian response based on principles that meet the urgent needs of communities across Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed Sharah received the President of the International Rescue Committee, David Miliband, and his accompanying delegation at the People's Palace in Damascus on the 26th of last month, to discuss mechanisms and ways to enhance the committee's work and expand its operations in Syria.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a non-governmental organization aiming to provide humanitarian aid and international development. It started its work in Syria in 2012, facing obstacles preventing it from operating and providing aid in all Syrian territories, being hindered by the former regime from moving and working in areas under its control.
