This measure, lasting six months, was taken “in view of the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, exacerbated by the earthquake”, specifies the text. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, killed more than 42,000 people in Turkey and more than 3,600 in Syria. It was followed by several aftershocks, including a final one, again deadly, on Monday.
The EU stresses that it and its member states are the leading donors to Syria, with a total of €27.4 billion in donations to the country and to neighbors hosting refugees, such as Turkey, since 2011. After the earthquake, the EU provided €3.5 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Syria.
Sanctions since 2011
The Syrian government and companies linked to it are subject to EU sanctions due to the repression carried out by Damascus, which makes European contributions in terms of humanitarian aid difficult. The EU sanctions, imposed in 2011, target 291 individuals and 70 entities and include asset freezes and travel bans.
