During a conference supported by the United Nations in Brussels earlier this year, humanitarian aid charity Human Appeal UK welcomed a $6 billion pledge to help end the suffering of Syrians. Discussing the critical humanitarian programmes for 2017, the 41 donors in attendance made an agreement to put the money towards helping end the conflict in the war-torn country.

However, despite the generous promise, the Manchester-based organisation has called for more action to be taken on war crimes.

More needs to be done
Since 2011, Syria has been in a state of civil war. While Human Appeal welcomed the pledge of extra funding to help its people, Othman Moqbel, the charity’s CEO, stated that $6 billion is simply not enough and suggested that “a lot more needs to be done” to stop the conflict. As a result, the charity has called upon international governments to join forces to take a more principled approach when it comes to monitoring war crimes, particularly in light of the recent chemical attacks and the breach of international humanitarian law.

In addition to this, it highlighted that more investment is needed in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. These three countries have taken in the most refugees, with Turkey hosting more Syrians than the whole of Europe combined. More than a quarter of Jordan’s national budget is being spent on refugees, and one in five people living in Lebanon is a refugee, making it essential that these countries are given the help and support they need.

The charity has said that more needs to be done to help those who have fled to Europe. It also wants to ensure that it is easier for humanitarian aid to travel in and out of Syria, making sure that aid workers are better protected in the process.

Ongoing projects

Previously known as Human Appeal International, the charity is renowned for its ongoing work in Syria, including its flour distribution project which aims to feed up to 200,000 men, women and children every month. It also provides shelter for displaced Syrians, improves access to clean, safe water and runs a gynaecological and paediatric hospital in Aleppo, offering maternity and child healthcare. In addition to this, the charity helps to run schools, and it has stressed the importance of getting every Syrian child into full-time education, with Othman Moqbel saying: “It is after all it is their human right”.

The CEO went on to describe the charity’s workers as having an “unwavering commitment” when it comes to providing aid to the places where it’s needed most.

To learn more about Human Appeal and how you can help this worthwhile cause, you can visit www.humanappeal.org.uk.