DISINFO: Western sanctions against Syria obstruct earthquake aid
SUMMARY
Western sanctions against Syria may be worse than the devastating earthquake. They obstruct the arrival and distribution of aid for people. The mainstream media and several governments deny that this is the case.
RESPONSE
Western sanctions on Syria have never applied to humanitarian aid, although restrictions on the use of dollars may have complicated some transactions. However, on 09 February, four days before this disinformation story appeared, the US Treasury Department authorised a 180-day exemption for all transactions related to earthquake relief that could eventually be otherwise prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR). The same day, the EU, at the request of Syrian authorities, activated its civil protection mechanism to provide tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, beds, food items and winter clothing. On 15 February, the UK government announced a similar measure. All together, this means that any potential restriction that may have emerged during aid efforts was quickly lifted by Western powers precisely to prevent delays and obstructions.
The European Humanitarian Response Capacity has mobilised to provide rapid relief to people affected by the earthquake. In addition, the EU has provided €3.5 million in humanitarian assistance to cover the most urgent needs, such as cash for shelter and non-food items, water and sanitation, health, and search and rescue. The EU also called for a donor conference in March to provide aid funds for earthquake victims.
Contrary to the claims made in the article, some restrictions came from the Syrian government, which waited almost one week before authorising this aid to cross into rebel-held areas in northwest Syria. Rebel groups also obstructed some relief efforts.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Western sanctions prevent displaced Syrians from returning, that sanctions against Syria are crimes against humanity, that EU sanctions on Syria are unlawful and force Syrians to starve, or that the earthquake was the result of US use of seismic or tectonic weapons.