EU prolongs humanitarian exemption for additional 6 months
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The European Union (EU) extended on Friday the duration of humanitarian exemption to areas impacted by February earthquake in Syria for further six months until 24 Feb. 2024.
The EU Council said, in a press release, that it extended the duration “to continue responding in a timely manner to the urgency of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, and to keep facilitating the rapid delivery of aid.”
On Feb. 24, two weeks after the catastrophic earthquake that hit southern Turkey and northwestern Syria, the EU decided to temporarily ease sanctions on Syria to speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The purpose of exempting individuals and entities from asset freezes and related prohibitions on providing economic resources and funds is to make it easier for international organizations and specific groups involved in humanitarian activities in Syria to carry out their operations.
The Council also raised concerns about the situation in Syria, saying that the conflict is far from over and remains a source of suffering for the civilian population, and instability for the country and the region.