Between Death and Survival: There is No place for Humanity in Syria
Shakespeare once said that Everything is Fair in Love and War and his words have never been more relevant to describe the current military situation in Syria. This week, the conflicts in the state have expanded to immense extends with the attack of the United Nations humanitarian aid convoy in Aleppo, Syria.
The attack held during a cease-fire agreement negotiated by the United States and Russia and it hit 31 trucks loaded with food, medicines and supplies which supposed to be delivered to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. The strike has caused the death of approximately 20 civilians and 1 SARC official. The act has been reported as the first against humanitarian agencies since the beginning of the conflict in Syria in 2011.
Not who to blame but who to save?
The delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria has become part of the political gambling between the numerous actors involved straight after the cease-fire agreement. Unfortunately, the media has also become part of the same process in its attempt to reflect all sides of the super powers`dialogue by avoiding the most important one; this, of the Syrian citizens who still reside in the areas near the country.
With the beginning of the military outbreaks, Aleppo has certainly become a region that demands urgent humanitarian aid due to its occupation and ravage by the Islamic State rebel groups but unfortunately, it is not the single one.
Since 2012 the refugee camps built in Lebanon and Jordan have become permanent homes for nearly 2 million people. According to the official data from 2015, about 70% of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon presently live below the Lebanese extreme poverty line while the amount of those who have been settle in Jordan have decreased twice due to difficulties in food supplies.
Moreover, the strictly limited access of the refugees to the labour market and the education facilities in both countries has made the lives of those Syrians who have been lucky to survive barely standable. Without any hope for further assistance by the hosting states the refugee families have basically two alternatives: to return in their own country or to travel abroad where they are often facing even more aggressive acts of hostility and even xenophobia.
Why the Government of Assad does no longer exist
The politics during war require protection of the civil population which is the most vulnerable part of the conflict and which also represents the future descent of the Syrian nation. By restricting and even attacking the delivery of humanitarian supplies obscures, in fact, any hope for relief to all Syrians who one day will become the voice of the country.
Although, the attack against the U.N. and SARC officials can be considered as advantage against the opponents of Assad`s government, the people who still exist between death and survival in the refugee camps will know that there is no longer hope for their protection by the present Syrian authorities.
