22 January 2014
“The Syrian Government is meeting for the first time with representatives from the Syrian Opposition in what will
hopefully be the first steps towards a sustainable peace.
Meanwhile millions of Syrians are enduring a second winter displaced from their homes. Half of the country is now
dependent on humanitarian aid and millions of people still cannot access life saving assistance. In some areas disease
and starvation are rife. The current situation is unacceptable and defies the basic norms of a civilized world.
Agreeing a negotiated peace is going to be difficult; however, committing to ensuring humanitarian aid reaches all those
in need shouldn’t be.
As a coalition of some of the world’s largest humanitarian and human rights organisations we call on the international
community to stand up for the people of Syria who are enduring the worst humanitarian crisis of our time.
The reputation of the United Nations and the member states of the Security Council are at risk unless they can show the
resolve and responsibility needed to end the crisis and until that time take steps to ensure humanitarian assistance
quickly reaches those who need it”.
Signed:
Salil Shetty, Secretary General, Amnesty International
Helene Gayle, CEO, CARE USA
Ken Roth, Executive Director, Human Rights Watch
Neal Keny-Guyer, CEO, Mercy Corps
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International
Jasmine Whitbread, CEO, Save the Children International
Kevin Jenkins, President, World Vision
Notes for Editors:
The CEOs are co-hosting a private breakfast with political, business and media leaders as well as holding high level
meetings with senior representatives of countries with influence over the conflict and will be available for reaction
and response to events at Geneva 2 peace talks throughout the week.
Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:
"The devastating consequences of the crisis in Syria are mounting on a daily basis. The opportunity presented by the
Geneva II peace conference is one that must not be missed, which is why it is more important than ever that the issue of
humanitarian access is not allowed to slip off the agenda."
Helene D. Gayle, President and CEO, CARE USA, said:
‘In our work with Syrians affected by the conflict, CARE sees the incredible toll the war is taking on women and girls
in particular, depriving them of safety, education, health care, and—in some cases—their lives. We call on all parties
to prioritize and permit unhindered access to address the needs of vulnerable women and girls, both inside and outside
Syria. We must also do more to support host communities in neighboring countries to better cope with the influx of
refugees.’
Neal Keny-Guyer, CEO, Mercy Corps, said:
“As we enter the fourth year of war in Syria, we must do more to relieve the intense human suffering of millions of
people in the region. We must shore up Syria’s neighbors. The years-long conflict and accompanying humanitarian crisis
are destabilizing the entire region, with the potential to leave millions more people without homes and jobs and rob an
entire generation of its future.”
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International, said:
“While negotiations will not resolve the crisis overnight, they should instead deliver a clear timeline and process for
doing so. Time will fly this week – and every second in Montreux counts. The litmus test for success is clear. We need
to see an immediate halt to the violence, which is tearing Syria apart, and concrete steps for improving the
humanitarian situation. Whatever comes out of the talks, strides must be made to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of
ordinary Syrians – this cannot be used as a political bargaining chip. All those people in desperate need, including in
besieged towns and communities, must be able to access life-saving aid – the government and opposition must agree this
as an absolute priority.”
Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International, said:
“Children in Syria have suffered immeasurably during this conflict, many of them having suffered torture and violence,
or having witnessed it first-hand. We want parties at Geneva II to prioritise the needs of children and civilians in
Syria and to ensure as a minimum, that humanitarian access is allowed, so that life-saving aid can reach them. We want
to see a commitment to ensuring schools and health facilities are not targeted, and steps taken to end the use of
explosive weapons in areas where civilians are likely to be maimed and killed.”
Kevin Jenkins, President, World Vision, said:
"The Syrian emergency is among the greatest tests in our generation of leadership and our humanity. We have little time
left to do well in either dimension and must urgently unite for the sake of the children of Syria."
AI Index: PRE01/029/2014
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