Syrian consul to Filipinos: Pray for Syria
‘There is an economic sanction against Syria by the European Union (EU) and by the United States, so Syria is living at a time that is very critical. The people in Syria are suffering this time not only of Covid, but also of food and medicine,” said Syria
The sanction, signed in 2011, blocks the Syrian government from having new investments, exports and imports from and to the US.
Syrian Consul General to the Philippines Issam El-Debs urged Filipinos to pray for the current state of his country and its citizens, who are currently grappling not only with the Covid-19 pandemic, but also the economic sanction imposed by the European Union (EU) and the United States (US).
In a conversation with Daily Tribune, Hon. Con. Gen. Issam discussed the economic crisis confronting Syria, apart from its more than 31,000 Covid-19 cases.
“There is an economic sanction against Syria by the EU and by the US, so Syria is living at a time that is very critical. The people in Syria are suffering this time not only of Covid, but also of food and medicine,” said Hon. Con. Gen. Issam.
The sanction, signed in 2011, blocks the Syrian government from having new investments, exports and imports from and to the US. This is backed by the EU.
A statement from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) last August 2020 said the sanctions have plunged Syria into deeper poverty.
“We therefore urge a reconsideration of UK priorities so that foreign policy initiatives do not prolong the suffering of the Syrian people,” said the OCHA.
“We hope that Filipinos pray for us and request the United Nations to ease the sanction against Syria. That’s the only hope we could wish from Filipinos who are our friends,” Hon. Con. Gen. Issam told Daily Tribune.
He also recounted that in 2012 and 2013, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario visited Syria, and Philippine churches lit a candle for his country during the conflict.
“They stood by Syria and we will never forget this,” he added.
Hon. Con. Gen. Issam said that he trusts the Filipino community to support Syria in this dire situation, as proven by strong bilateral relations that will turn 75 years this coming July.
Syria may have technically celebrated its Evacuation or Independence Day last 17 April, but the Hon. Con. Gen. admitted that the massive parades for the celebration were discontinued since the war broke out in 2011.
A statement from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) last August 2020 said the sanctions have plunged Syria into deeper poverty.