Christian Aid: Syrians need more than financial pledges

Christian Aid has welcomed the latest commitments made by the UK, Germany, France and others to increase humanitarian support for Syrians and the region. However the charity added that real relief will only happen when the bombs stop.

Frances Guy, Christian Aid's Head of Middle East Region said: "For Syrian refugees who rely on food baskets and vouchers from the World Food Programme it will be a relief to know that Germany has already pledged to fund half of the money that is needed for these distributions for this year.

"It will be a relief to Syrian parents who are living in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey to know that their children should now have the opportunity to be in education. Some Syrians in those countries can now hope that they may be able to work legally and earn a living which will support their families. We must now work with these countries to ensure that these pledges are acted upon.

"However, for those who live under the daily threat of bombardment from all sides inside Syria and for those Syrians who are besieged and relying on very infrequent aid distributions, there will be no relief.

"As we heard from Syrian colleagues over the past two days, unless political will to end the violence inside Syria is put into action, the numbers of the dead will rise as will the numbers seeking refuge in the neighbouring countries and in Europe.

"More food and blankets will not stop the bombs. The plea from the International Red Cross should be answered: Find a political solution, urgently. Lift all sieges immediately. Start putting Syrians first."

In Lebanon and Iraq, Christian Aid partners continue to support Syrian refugee communities, as well as working with ACT Alliance agencies to support humanitarian efforts taking place in Greece and Serbia.

For more information on Christian Aids work in the region, please visit www.christian-aid.org/Syria