Syria’s woes compounded by sanctions and Covid-19

SANCTIONS impact negatively on the reconstruction and the management of the Covid-19 pandemic in Syria.

For 10 years, the unilateral coercive measures that violate international charters and laws, have been an obstacle to the public sector, blocked governmental mechanisms and impeded the development of the whole society. Sanctions are destroying decent livelihoods and the right to life of all Syrians.

This kind of war started from the beginning, through the so-called “economic sanctions” which blocked all kinds of dealings with Syria, diplomatic and international relations, finance and banking relations and transportation, in addition to blocking private sector accounts that generate revenue in Syria.

At the same time, the war continued through a proxy war with the collaboration of terrorist groups which attacked factories, dismantled industrial equipment, and illegally trafficked oil and archaeological pieces to Turkey and the rest of Europe.

When Syria won the military war in 2018 and took back control of most of the areas that were under terrorist control, including Aleppo and the rural areas of Damascus, the reconstruction stage began by the force and will of Syrians, despite all obstacles.

With our modest capacities and resources, we started to work hard to get life back to normal again.

As an architect, I started working with many investors, not only as an architectural and engineering company but also as a specialist in project development and concepts. I felt the real will of the Syrians inside and outside the country to regain life and the economy, in addition to the desire of many foreign companies from all sides to support us. They visited Syria and started negotiating and establishing their businesses here. We worked hard, especially until the end of 2019.

Then the Caesar Act (the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 signed by then US president Donald Trump) appeared to punish Syrians and kill our will and even our desire. The Act came to say that you don’t have the right to work.

Then came the blocking of Lebanese banking accounts. The port attack further destroyed our facilities and our hope.

New business people and investors have also been punished with the freezing of their accounts, thereby hurting the economy and bringing to a halt many projects that employ workers.

Unemployment today reached more than 58% of the population compared with before the war when it was less than 8%. All segments of the population have been punished. As as a result, 90% of Syrians are living below the poverty line. Before the imposition of sanctions our level of absolute poverty was less than 1%. Burning wheat fields in the north east and olive groves on the coast, and the killing of thousands of livestock was the last message to say “you don’t have the right to live, nor to work”.

With Covid-19, we are all equally at risk, but we don’t have equal capacities to fight the pandemic. Neither are we able to arm ourselves with the necessary medical protection due to this economic war.

Sanctions have been an obstacle to the development of the health and hospital sectors. It prevents the acquisition of new medical equipment and it prevents us from repairing the hundreds of hospitals that were destroyed by terrorist organisations. Poverty is making it difficult to enforce the quarantine and contain the virus, and to apply the necessary treatments.

What we are experiencing is economic terrorism launched by states who have established themselves as judges of nations, using the words “democracy and human rights”. It is the war of starving people and destroying societies under so-called “economic sanctions”.

It is a crime against humanity. The world calls for humanitarian help and the UN does its job every year by publishing reports and indicators.

Syrians do not need humanitarian help. We need a decent life. Syrians need to start working, to start reconstruction, and get back to their normal life again.

It is not correct to beg the aggressor to retract his assault and to lift the so-called economic sanctions.

It is unacceptable to sign any petition or letter to ask US President Joe Biden to lift the embargo. Let us address the needs of Syrians and the need of all decent societies.

| REUTERS WOMEN carry bread as they walk along a street in Qamishli, Syria where measures are in place to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease. Sanctions against Syria have destroyed livelihoods and are impeding the development of the health and hospital sectors to cope with the pandemic, says the writer.

MARIA SAADEH