Commissioner Georgieva condemns killing of first-aid volunteer in Syria

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Commissioner Georgieva condemns killing of first-aid volunteer in Syria

27-04-2012

EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva today condemned the killing of Mohammed Khadra, a first-aid volunteer with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, who was killed while trying to save the lives of others in Douma, near Damascus.

"I am very shocked and saddened by news of the killing of a humanitarian worker in Syria where he was providing relief to people in need. Humanitarian aid is about saving lives without fear or favour to any creed. Its impartiality is sovereign. Attacks on relief workers are unacceptable. As Europeans we applaud the valuable work of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and call on everyone in Syria to respect aid workers who are risking their lives to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable," said Commissioner Georgieva.

The EU Commissioner stressed that the Syrian government must guarantee the safety of humanitarian aid workers and grant unfettered access to conflict zones within the country.

"The continuing violence is fuelling a humanitarian crisis with ever growing needs that must be urgently addressed. I appeal to the Government of Syria to cooperate with the international humanitarian organisations and allow greater and unhindered access for international humanitarian aid workers."

The European Commission has supported the relief operations inside Syria and the assistance to refugees from the country with €10 million. To date, the Member States of the European Union have also contributed over €22 million in humanitarian funding for this crisis. (ENPI Info Centre)

Read more

Press release

Commissioner Georgieva's website

The European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection

Factsheet - The European Union and Syria (01-03-12)

European External Action Service – Frequently Asked Questions on EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime

ENPI Info Centre webpage – Syria

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