Qatar’s Emir Urges To Stop Politicizing Aid for Syria Earthquake Victims
(Photo : KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani speaks during the fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5)in Doha, on March 5, 2023.

Qatar's Emir states that aid for Syria must be free of politicizing by leaders, making the suffering of quake victims worse. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani last Sunday said those indulging in personal political agendas giving humanitarian assistance are reproachable.

Politicizing Aid for Syria Affects Rescue Efforts

Sheikh Al Thani spoke to representatives of the UN Least Developed Countries summit held in Doha, that blocking aid to Syrian and Turkey is wrong after the February 6 quake. Despite the urgency for immediate assistance, both nations are getting delayed help, as reported by Almayadeen.

Human tragedies like these need the utmost help, and the Syrians suffer the brunt. As highlighted on either side, political purposes are more important than alleviating misery and suffering.

Qatari FM Stressed the Need for Aid for Syrian Victims

Lolwah bint Rashid Al Kahter, the Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister, said in a statement that it had happened again in Syria when disaster and death struck. He brought this observation to the international organizations and global community that should act to correct it, noted Business Recorder.

She categorized how the international community did not act appropriately when needed most and called out that it impacted the survivor's ability to overcome the tragedy because of what leaders did for their benefit, choosing political compromises that would not benefit those affected by the calamity.

When the 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook up Ankara and Damascus so violently that it took 50,000 people's lives, the survivor was numerous and was left homeless by the terrible quake.

Read Also: Turkish FM Welcomes Greek Support After Twin Quakes Hit Turkey

Tamin explained how the assistance program for needy states would function with the total funding given to it. About $10 million will be for the expense of supporting the program. The remaining $50 million will be for getting results and developing how to sustain it in these poorly developed countries, cited Urdu Point.

Sheikh Tamim announced that Doha is bolstering the Doha Programme of Action for Developed Countries, personally funded with $60 million.

Delayed Aid for Syria

The last 12 years of the civil war in Syria had severely affected children who needed assistance most. Instead of studying and getting what is rightfully theirs instead, basic needs were withheld.

Qataris are not alone in this reflection, as UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell disclosed disturbing facts. An alarming 3.7 million Syrian children have their lives getting cut short as they lack support after the quake's aftermath.

Quake-hit regions saw the total obliteration of homes as countless schools and playgrounds were destroyed. It is unsafe for these vulnerable children and families trying to survive these conditions.

Russell indicated they, who are the weakest, have taken the horrific effects and heart-rending outcomes. She saw all of it in two days of visiting the disaster struck areas.

The UNICEF official stressed that long-term assistance is needed to help affected Syrians normalize, providing clean water, health care, therapy, and all essentials to rebuild from scratch. It will lead to better lives for children and families.

Qatar's Emir made it clear that aid for Syrian aid is separated from a politicizing agenda affecting the rescue efforts to save Syria's quake victims.

Related Article: Syria's Natural Disaster Highlights Lack of UN Aid for Survivors