A chance to save Syria that world leaders must seize this week

A chance to save Syria that world leaders must seize this week
The Guardian, 29 Mar 2015

From hundreds of miles in space, stunning images of the dramatic loss of light in Syria have captured the human tragedy caused by four years of brutal conflict (Satellites capture how the lights have gone out in Syria, theguardian.com, 12 March). The UN security council has resolutely failed to assist and protect civilians, but governments now have the chance to reverse this descent into darkness.
On Tuesday world leaders will meet in Kuwait, where the UN will request their support to fund the £5.6bn required to keep millions of people alive. This amount, to be shared among all nations, is barely more than Sky Sports spends on the rights to broadcast Premiership matches.
Providing humanitarian assistance to Syria’s beleaguered people is no panacea – that requires a political solution – but it is a vital lifeline for millions of people left in the dark. In Kuwait, the British government must continue to pay, and urge others to commit to pay, their fair share in order turn the lights back on in Syria.

John Nduna ACT alliance
Chris Roles Age International
Philip Luther Amnesty International
Laurie Lee Care International UK
Leigh Daynes Doctors of the World UK
Dr Simon Adams Global Centre for R2P
Toby Porter HelpAge International
David Miliband International Rescue Committee
Dr Mohamed AshmaweyIslamic Relief
Lina Sergie Attar Karam Foundation
Tony Laurence Medical Aid for Palestinians
Simon O’Connell Mercy Corps Europe
Niccolò Figà-Talamanca No Peace Without Justice
Lisa Pearce Open Doors UK & Ireland
José Henríquez Pax Christi International
Donna McKay Physicians for Human Rights
Kate Ferguson Protection Approaches
Friedrich Bokern Relief and Reconciliation for Syria AISBL
Dr Haytham Alhamwi Rethink Rebuild Society
Dr Jihad Qaddour Syria Relief and Development
Dr Zaher Sahloul Syrian American Medical Society
Victor Amisi Sulubika Vision Gram International

Continua