UK aid protects victims of violence as Syrian regime increases attacks in Idlib

3 Mar 2020 02:24 PM

International Development Secretary condemns bombing by Russia and the Assad regime.

A new package of UK aid support will help protect people at increasing risk of violence as the conflict in Syria escalates and pushes them to seek safety in harsh conditions, International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan yesterday announced.

£89 million of UK aid will help those most in need as the numbers forced to flee the violence in north west Syria reaches unprecedented levels.

Yesterday’s announcement comes as the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab meets with his Turkish counterparts in Ankara to discuss the escalating violence in Syria and the UK’s support to the crisis.

Over the last 90 days, nearly a million people – the vast majority women and children – have fled their homes as the Assad regime and its Russian backers bomb civilian targets in the rebel-held town of Idlib and surrounding areas. The UN has said this is the largest displacement of people since the civil war began nearly nine years ago. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in derelict buildings and makeshift camps in freezing conditions.

This funding will provide:

• Tents, thermal blankets and clothing
• Food, clean water and medical supplies
• Access to immediate clinical care, counselling and legal advice for victims of violence
• Facilities where women and girls can be protected from sexual attacks
• Emergency access to education facilities where children can be protected and their families supported
• Training for midwives to deliver children safely, provide emergency obstetric care and refer new mothers and babies to safe neonatal services
• Access to contraception and ‘dignity kits’ for girls, pregnant women and new mothers, containing: sanitary products, sterile gloves, soap and a guide to help ensure safe childbirth when professional medical help is unavailable.

The Assad regime and Russian warplanes have been targeting hospitals and schools in Idlib, in breach of International Humanitarian Law. On one day alone last week [Tuesday 25 February], ten schools were attacked, killing and injuring children and teachers.

War has a devastating impact on girls in particular. In conflict zones, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school than boys. Without an education provided by UK aid, girls are less able to develop the skills they need to get jobs, rebuild their lives and reach their full potential.

Click here for the full press release