March 2017 marked six years of conflict in Syria. The Syrian government and its allies, as well as armed opposition groups, bear the primary and direct responsibility for the appalling reality that Syria’s civilians face on this grim anniversary. But they are not alone, the international communities’ collective failure to put an end to the conflict is unacceptable.
During the course of the Syria conflict, the international community, primarily through the United Nations (UN) Security Council, have passed over twenty resolutions aimed at protecting civilians, providing for humanitarian access to hard-to-reach and besieged areas, and calling for a diplomatic solution to end the conflict in Syria. World leaders have spoken out forcefully in the UN and other international fora on these issues. Over the past six years, with a progressively increasing sense of urgency, officials have run out of words to describe the horrific reality in Syria. However, despite these resolutions and speeches, civilians continue to be killed, areas remain besieged and a diplomatic solution to the conflict remains elusive. Resolutions unenforced, and statements unfulfilled are merely empty words.
We must make these words matter.
As world leaders, Syrians, civil society, and others mark the sixth year of conflict in Syria and gather in Brussels in April for a high-level conference on the Syria, CARE is calling on the international community to take decisive action to turn these words into action. Six years is too long to wait.
Make Words Matter documents the views of a range of senior UN officials, global leaders,
Syrian staff, civil society partner organisations and others, about their hopes, fears and thoughts on ways forward in the crisis.
FIVE MAIN THEMES EMERGED:
Protection of Civilians
Humanitarian Access
Political Solution
Civic Participation
Refugee Support
Civilians, including humanitarian aid workers, must be protected inside Syria, sieges must end to allow for unhindered humanitarian access, Syrian civil society, including women, must play a central role in a diplomatic solution to the crisis, as well as post-conflict governing of Syria. And the international community, particularly developed nations, must do their fair share to meet the global funding needs in and around Syria and support refugees, including providing opportunities for resettlement and humanitarian admission.