ActionAid expresses concern for its aid teams in north-west Syria as ambulances come under attack
ActionAid has expressed deep concern for the safety of its humanitarian teams in north-west Syria as on-going hostilities continue to cause serious harm to civilians and aid workers and severely disrupt the humanitarian response.
In the week since hostilities escalated, ActionAid’s partner, Violet, which operates emergency ambulance services across north-west Syria, had two of its ambulances damaged by airstrikes, and one of its offices in Idlib has been hit by shelling. Several of its paramedics have been injured in the violence.
Violet's staff have also suffered grave personal losses. A number have lost family members, and many of their homes have been destroyed by airstrikes. On Sunday, one of Violet’s paramedics lost 10 members of his family when an airstrike hit their home in Idlib.
At least 69 civilians have been killed and at least 228 people have been injured in north-west Syria in the past week, according to the UN. Repeated airstrikes have killed hit displacement camps, schools and numerous health facilities, including one of the main hospitals in Idleb city.
Shelling and airstrikes continue across Idleb and northern Aleppo.
Hisham Dirani, CEO of Violet, ActionAid’s partner in northwest Syria, said:
“The ongoing violence continues to put at serious risk the safety and security of our teams, who are working under extremely dangerous conditions - sometimes responding to medical emergencies amid active shelling.
This escalation, which comes as people face a freezing winter, has led to a significant increase in displacements from Idleb city and its surrounding areas. We urge the UN to do more to enable aid to come in from Gaziantep, as the humanitarian response relies entirely on cross-border operations.”
Despite significant challenges, Violet’s emergency teams continue to respond to those who have been injured by the violence. They are also distributing food and other essentials to families who have been displaced from Idlib City – many of whom have been forced to camp out in the open near roads or under trees.
Sudipta Kumar, ActionAid’s Regional Director for the Arab Region, said:
“We’re extremely concerned by reports from our partners that their ambulance teams are coming under fire in north-west Syria, and of the devastating impact of the violence on their staff and their families. These incidents are completely unacceptable. Ensuring the protection of civilians and the safety and security of aid workers is crucial.”
About Violet
Violet is a locally-led NGO operating in northwestern Syria. In response to the recent escalation, Violet is addressing urgent needs and facilitating medical interventions. All these efforts are supported by 200 dedicated volunteers. We believe that empowering and investing in youth will create a brighter future for our community.
