To face repercussions of earthquake, Appeals to lift economic sanctions on Syria

DAMASUS, Feb. 07 (YPA) – Head of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Khaled Hboubati, called on the European community to lift the blockade and economic sanctions imposed on Syria to face the repercussions of the devastating earthquake.

In a press conference, Hboubati stressed that economic sanctions affect the difficult humanitarian situation, rescue difficult operations, and there is no fuel to send convoys due to the blockade and sanctions.

He pointed out that the rescue operation being exposed to many obstacles, most of which the lack of mechanisms for rescuing people under the rubble, and the penalties that constitute the main obstacle to the arrival of these mechanisms.

“We want to obtain the necessary equipment and ambulances to help those affected by the earthquake,” said Hboubati, adding that the sanctions prevent us from obtaining this equipment, but we do not have sufficient capabilities to help the areas affected by the earthquake.” The disaster is great and needs help from all countries in this ordeal.

He also pointed out that “the number of victims is likely to rise, and a number of buildings are still at risk of collapse. The results of the earthquake are disastrous, and our volunteers are in a state of readiness.”

Hboubati added, “The government has allocated 126 shelters in Aleppo, 23 in Lattakia, 5 in Hama, 3 in Homs, and 3 in Tartus‎ to help those affected.”

AA