World Vision: Syria plan a "half-step in the right direction"

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), a 17-member collection of global leaders, agreed to a plan for the cessation of hostilities and to accelerate and expand aid deliveries. But there are additional steps that can and should be taken to end this conflict, according to World Vision, Canada's largest international aid agency.

Quotes:
"Today's announcement of the agreement to expand the delivery of humanitarian aid in Syria beginning immediately is just a half-step in the right direction. Talk must turn into action in order to help children and families in desperate need of assistance inside Syria, particularly the 400,000 people living in besieged and hard-to-reach communities."
-Conny Lenneberg, Middle East Regional Leader, World Vision

"It was encouraging to hear Prime Minister Trudeau and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon stress the importance of mediation and conflict prevention when they met this week. Canada has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership with the international community by helping to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Syrian families in need and to champion the peace process. Peace is the only solution for ending a humanitarian crisis that jeopardizes the future of millions of children."
-Michael Messenger, President of World Vision Canada

Canadian political solutions that can help end the Syrian conflict and save lives:

1. Actively support peace. Offer the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, the clout of Canada's diplomatic expertise to ensure a meaningful peace process.
2. Re-enforce with the international community that the protection of the civilian population and unhindered humanitarian access to hundreds of thousands of people in need is non-negotiable.
3. Advocate the inclusion of children and youth, Canadian and Syrian alike, in all peace efforts.

FAST FACTS

• UN Syria Humanitarian Appeal $3 billion short of what is urgently needed
• 13.5 million people inside Syria are in need of urgent emergency relief
• 2.1 million children inside Syria are currently out of school
• 50 Syrian families uprooted from their homes every hour of every day since the conflict began

World Vision is a relief, development, and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

SOURCE World Vision Canada

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