The deadly earthquake on February 6th has been catastrophic for the people of southern Turkey and northern Syria, with a death toll so exceeding 46,000. But U.S.-imposed economic sanctions against Syria, only just partially lifted for 180 days, continue to hinder international relief efforts and reconstruction resources from reaching the country.
Syria is in dire need: the death toll approaches 6,000 and hundreds of thousands are homeless, but U.S. sanctions have delayed the arrival of urgently required supplies and funds. Humanitarian organizations working in Syria were facing threats of U.S. retaliation and are only now responding; Syrians and Syrian-Americans in the U.S. continue to find it impossible to send money to their families there. U.S. troops are occupying areas of the country with oil and gas resources, preventing the people from getting their own fuel amid the devastation and winter cold.
Three ways you can TAKE ACTION to help the Syrian people:
1. SEND AN EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY DONATION TO Earthquake Red Crescent/Hospital
“Togetherness US” is a humanitarian effort initiated by Syrians in the US and Canada. Working in partnership with the Red Crescent, it is probably the most viable means to donate to government held areas that had been sanctioned and devastated by the US sanctions and occupation until now.
2. CALL PRESIDENT BIDEN at 202-456-1111 (11am to 3pm Tuesday thru Thursday only!)
Leave a message telling President Biden the administration must stop undermining relief efforts and imposing hardship on Syria's people. Demand that he take executive action and put a permanent end to all U.S. sanctions against Syria.
Additionally he must withdraw the U.S. troops that are occupying parts of Syria and stealing its resources in violation of international law and without the authorization of Congress.
You can also email the President directly with this message. Be sure to select "Contact the President" from the drop down menu.
3. USE THIS FORM TO CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR
We welcome the recent steps the Biden administration has taken to temporarily loosen sanctions on humanitarian aid. But these few, incomplete measures do not match the scale and scope of this disastrous earthquake, one of the deadliest in world history. Congress must do the right thing: ask your Representative and Senators to completely repeal sanctions legislation so that unrestricted humanitarian aid can reach suffering the Syrian people.
End the suffering of the Syrian people! They are counting on us!