During the opening of the UN Least Developed Countries conference in Doha on Sunday, 5 March 2023, Qatar’s emir; Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani; stressed the need to help Syrians “without hesitation” following the earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria.

“Our meeting is taking place while our brothers in Turkey and Syria are still suffering from the impacts of the massive earthquake that struck them and affected millions,” said Sheikh Tamim. “I stress the necessity of giving a helping hand without hesitation to the brotherly Syrian people. Exploiting a human tragedy for political purposes is unacceptable. There is no way through which we can build a new, safer, more just and more free world for today and tomorrow except through the path of international human solidarity.”

The United Nations has called for access to be granted by all parties in Syria to scale up aid deliveries in the affected regions. Relief organisations complain of the Damascus government politicising aid distribution, while others say rebels have blocked deliveries of said aid, complicating relief efforts.

Qatar’s emir has criticised the abuse of humanitarian aid for political purposes, and has previously spoken out against efforts by several countries to normalise ties with Damascus.

Darul Ihsan Media Desk