Syria asks EU for earthquake relief

The government of Syria requested help from the European Union to provide assistance to the country using the bloc’s civil protection framework, the European Commission’s head of crisis management, Janez Lenarcic , said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the press conference, the commissioner called on the member states to respond to Syria’s request and provide necessary assistance while ensuring that the aid “is not diverted” by the “sanctioned government” in Damascus.

Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh, said that the United States and European Union’s restrictions placed on Damascus are stopping humanitarian assistance from being delivered to the earthquake-stricken regions as cargo aircraft refuse to land on the country’s airports. “All Syria need this assistance, so whenever and whatever we receive, it will be for all Syrians,” he said.