Microsoft Word – IUSY_Template_Statement.docx

Following multiple earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria, these events have been affecting the most vulnerable people in the world. Unfortunately, the death toll has now passed the 40,000 lives.

IUSY extends its deepest condolences to the families of the Syrian, Turkish and Kurdish people that became victims of the devastating earthquake in southern Turkey and Northern Syria, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

While governments, international bodies and humanitarian aid organizations have expressed support and mobilised humanitarian aid, it is necessary to provide support and distribute aid to all affected areas.

Therefore IUSY calls on all parties involved in the region to:

– Support the victims of the earthquake, in particular vulnerable groups, ethnic minorities and all people gravely affected by the earthquake.

– Enable humanitarian organizations to operate in conflict zones, and calling on all parties to allow unhindered humanitarian access to civilians.

– Urges international bodies to fund humanitarian assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria without discrimination or politicization, and in line with th International Humanitarian Law.

– IUSY calls for the international community to lift some of the political restrictions on aid entering north-west Syria. The great catastrophe that befell the Syrian people must change the course of conflict in Syria and open the door to the respect of Human Rights in all affected regions over the past years.