Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Syria: Humanitarian Situation

03 November 2020 · 8 other contributors · 8,997 words

Opened by Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead

Responding minister: James Cleverly

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Alison McGovern raised concerns about syria: humanitarian situation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the humanitarian situation in Syria, including attacks on civilians and winter conditions for displaced people in camps.
  • UK's contribution includes 11 million for humanitarian aid in Syria.
  • Requests made for information on preserving evidence of war crimes and the Government's diplomatic strategy regarding Russian and Chinese vetoes.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Minister to explain how the UK's contribution will improve conditions for displaced people this winter and ensure that urgent medical supplies are provided. Additionally, I request information on efforts to preserve evidence of war crimes and details regarding the Government's diplomatic strategy at an international level to counter Russian and Chinese vetoes.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Alison McGovern Lab Birkenhead

I am concerned about the humanitarian situation in Syria, particularly the ongoing attacks on civilians and the dire conditions faced by displaced people. There are currently 6.2 million individuals living in camps, with winter approaching and little protection from harsh weather conditions. The medical situation is also critical due to the uncertainty of how COVID-19 has impacted Syria. Economically, food insecurity is widespread, affecting approximately half of the remaining population, with food prices increasing by over 400% in some areas.

Other contributors (8)
  • Anna McMorrin Lab Cardiff North

    Ms. McMorrin highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Syria, with over 12 million Syrians requiring international assistance and millions displaced or seeking refuge abroad. She expressed concern about the deterioration of healthcare services and the impact of COVID-19 on an already fragile population. The speaker also noted a significant increase in food insecurity and emphasized the need for better access to aid despite Security Council challenges.

  • Anthony Mangnall Con Fylde

    Mr Mangnall highlighted the devastating impact of gender-based violence in Syria, citing reports that sexual violence is widespread and officially sanctioned by both state and non-state actors. He called for an international body to collect evidence of conflict-related sexual violence and bring perpetrators to justice.

  • David Linden SNP Glasgow East

    The humanitarian situation in Syria is dire, with over 500,000 people killed since the civil war began, including more than 55,000 children. Infrastructure collapse and poverty have worsened conditions for millions of Syrians, exacerbated by the pandemic. The UK Government has failed to provide adequate resettlement programmes and protect child refugees.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon highlighted the successful integration of Syrian refugees in his constituency, noting their employment and community support. He expressed concern over Syria's inadequate healthcare system during the pandemic, citing limited resources like ventilators and ICU beds. Shannon also pointed to severe economic impacts such as job losses and hyperinflation, emphasizing that food prices have skyrocketed beyond people's means.

  • Rushanara Ali Lab Bethnal Green and Stepney

    Ms Rushanara Ali expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria, highlighting the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan. She noted that hundreds of thousands of refugees were fleeing to Lebanon during her 2013 visit, making up more than a quarter of the population there. Ms Ali emphasised the need for greater assistance to countries hosting large numbers of refugees and stressed the importance of addressing the spread of coronavirus in refugee camps. She also called on the Government to play a leadership role in pushing for a global ceasefire.

  • Thomas Tugendhat Con Tonbridge

    He emphasized that the humanitarian crisis in Syria is a deliberate act of various actors, including the Assad regime and its international backers. He cited statistics from the World Food Programme indicating 9.3 million people dependent on food aid and 11 million on humanitarian assistance, arguing for urgent action despite difficult regional relationships.

  • Tom Tugendhat Con Tonbridge and Malling

    I am concerned about the lack of humanitarian aid reaching those in need in Syria. We must ensure that international organisations are able to operate effectively within the country, despite the ongoing conflict.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    She highlighted the displacement of Kurdish communities in Syria by Turkish-backed forces, detailing a case involving her constituent Rosanna. She urged the Government to meet with her to discuss Rosanna's family situation and pushed for UK action on human rights atrocities, including accountability for those responsible.

Government Response

James Cleverly

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. The hon. Member for Wirral South has spoken with great passion on Syria's humanitarian crisis, highlighting its devastating impact on civilians and the need for accountability for war crimes. The UK has provided £11 million for this cause and stands against Russia's disinformation campaign. We support a UN-facilitated political process as per resolution 2254 but regret Russia and China's repeated vetoes at the UN Security Council which hinder aid deliveries. Despite these challenges, the UK remains committed to humanitarian efforts in Syria with over £3.3 billion in response since 2012, providing essential supplies such as food, medical consultations, vaccinations, and support against gender-based violence and covid-19.

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