News
15 December 2016

Didier Reynders and Alexander De Croo call for respect for humanitarian principles in Aleppo

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Development Cooperation, Alexander De Croo, have reacted with consternation to the very worrisome events of the past few days in Aleppo, in particular in Eastern Aleppo. It is of utmost importance that the humanitarian principles be upheld, in particular those that guarantee humanitarian access and the respect for the principles of the law of armed conflict and international humanitarian law.

The offensives of the Syrian governmental forces have provoked an appalling amount of casualties, among them numerous civilians. These blind actions, supported by the Russian air force, have dramatic consequences for the inhabitants of Eastern Aleppo. It is essential that both civilians and those injured that request to leave the conflict area, can do so, and this through the installation of humanitarian corridors and/or the establishment of a cease-fire.

The warring parties on the ground must allow for an evacuation of the inhabitants. The international actors that have an influence on the belligerents must exercise this influence to achieve this objective. They have the responsibility to enforce the cessation of human rights violations and war crimes.

Belgium has engaged itself to find a solution to the Syrian crisis. Diplomatic demarches have been delivered in Teheran and Moscow, where the principles of respect for international humanitarian law and the responsibility of international actors have been underlined. Additionally, our country supports and co-sponsors the initiative in this sense by Liechtenstein, whose resolution will be introduced to the United Nations in New York shortly.

Ministers Didier Reynders and Alexander De Croo recall the efforts deployed by our country in the context of humanitarian aid tied to the crisis in Syria:

  • Belgium has distributed, in 2016, over 65 million euros to citizens in distress due to the Syrian crisis
  • The majority of Belgian support has been granted to the OCHA Emergency Response Fund for Syria and directly to UN agencies such as UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, UNRWA and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
  • The additional contribution that Belgium has assigned to the “Turkey Facility” totaling 58 million euros for the three upcoming years has been added to the 65 million allocated in 2016, earmarked for the support and reception of refugees (i.e. education, accommodation, integration, language classes and socioeconomic opportunities).