WFP Calls Out Opposition Leaders in Northwest Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Saturday, David Beasley, director of the World Food Program (WFP), said his agency was being hindered from operating in northwest Syria by Syrian opposition groups there.
According to statements made to Reuters, the Turkish and Syrian governments are cooperating with the WFP and other NGOs. However, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), as well as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front), are blocking international aid to the region.
“I don’t know why they are blocking. Why play games at a time like this. I will call them out and will not be silent about this,” Beasley said.
Since the deadly earthquake on February 6, opposition groups in northwest Syria have rejected aid from both the government in Damascus as well as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), insisting aid be delivered through Turkey.
“That is bottlenecking our operations. That has to get fixed straight away,” the WFP director added. The agency is currently on the ground in northwest Syria, providing survivors with hot meals. However, at the current rate, it will run out of money within 60 days.
“Time is running out and we are running out of money. Our operation is about $50 million a month for our earthquake response alone so unless Europe wants a new wave of refugees, we need get the support we need,” Beasley said.
The earthquake on February 6 killed over 45.000 thus far and destroyed thousands of buildings across Syria and Turkey. Among the worst-hit areas in Syria are the northwest of HTS-controlled Idlib region and the town of Jindires, in the Turkish-occupied Afrin region.