Flag half-mast for five years of war in Syria

- This month marks the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the war in Syria. The conflict took until now at least a quarter million lives and caused a flood of millions of refugees, reports the Red Cross. In aid to the displaced people in Syria now got 61 aid workers from the Red Cross and the Red Crescent were killed. Therefore, the Dutch branch of the aid organization depends Wednesday the flag at half-mast as a symbol of the sorrow and suffering that caused the conflict in Syria.

,, If even aid workers are targeted in battle, humanity has to look far. It is incredible that the civilian population must endure in Syria for years, and what dangers our colleagues there have to face daily. I have deep admiration for the thousands of volunteers who redial every day to provide assistance despite the high risks and the fact that they themselves or their friends and family are also affected by the conflict, '' said Gijs de Vries, CEO of the Dutch Red Cross.

According to the aid organization have in Syria more than thirteen million people, which is more than half the population, humanitarian aid needed. Thereof to an estimated 4.5 million people are difficult or impossible to reach, while they do need acute help.,, The relief is extremely difficult due to lack of access and lack of sufficient resources; it is also very dangerous because medical facilities, vehicles or teams are often not respected, so that they can do their life-saving work by shelling or bombing. ''

Still, the Red Cross also sees bright spots, however small. After long negotiations was to provide weather possible early February aid in inaccessible places long as Madaya, Kefraya and Foua.,, The current, but temporary cease-fire, bringing a brief respite for civilians and aid workers. ''