The Swiss government decided to expand “humanitarian exceptions” in order to facilitate “humanitarian activities in Syria,” without specifying the duration of the procedure.
-
Switzerland eases sanctions imposed on Syria
Switzerland decided today, Friday, to ease its sanctions on Syria in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the devastating February 6 earthquake, following similar measures taken by the United States and the European Union.
Until now, humanitarian organizations, which carry out their activities in Syrian territory and receive funds from the Swiss Confederation, can obtain exemptions from sanctions in order to provide humanitarian aid and support civilians.
The Swiss government stated that it decided to expand “humanitarian exceptions, in order to facilitate humanitarian activities in Syria,” without specifying the duration of the procedure.
Also read: Sources reveal to Al-Mayadeen Net the impact of sanctions and blockade on relief operations in Syria
Thus, Switzerland allows “the direct and indirect supply of economic assets and resources to sanctioned persons, entities and companies from humanitarian actors receiving funds from the Union.”
As for the “humanitarian actors”, which do not receive contributions from the Swiss Confederation, a scheme is in place to grant them exceptional permits to provide economic resources to sanctioned persons, companies and entities “as long as they request the implementation of humanitarian activities, or provide aid to civilians in Syria.”
It is worth mentioning that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned, yesterday, Thursday, that 3.7 million children in the affected areas in Syria face a number of increasing risks, which may be catastrophic, following the devastating earthquake that struck the country.
