Yesterday, Peace Direct issued a joint statement with other peacebuilding NGOs, Conciliation Resources, International Alert and Saferworld, calling for “immediate and concrete actions from the international community to end the hostilities, ensure safe evacuation corridors for civilians and provide vital humanitarian protection.”
Overnight, hopes grew that a ceasefire might allow for the remaining population to flee eastern Aleppo.
This morning, no residents have yet been allowed to leave and there are reports of renewed shelling.
At this point, international pressure might have some effect in pushing for the ceasefire to hold. Efforts to push our governments to support end to hostilities and humanitarian protect are worthwhile. One option for UK residents is to contact your local MP and push for the action.
Yesterday’s emergency debate in the House of Commons was notable for the low level of attendance. We need to make clear that we want our representatives to be doing all they can to protect civilians in this crisis.
We would also like to highlight a couple of specific civil society calls that emerged yesterday:
We, Syrian civil society organizations, declare suspending operations in an outcry against the international community’s complicity in this massacre.
This suspension will only be revoked if concrete and meaningful measures are taken to stop the regime violence, ensure protection of civilians, and facilitate their safe and dignified evacuation.
The deaths of civilians must be condemned in the strongest terms, and those responsible must be held accountable. Governments have a responsibility to protect. Support must continue to all those working on the ground to provide urgent assistance and drive efforts to build peace.
