Qatar Reaffirms Commitment To Providing Humanitarian Assistance To Syrian People

The State of Qatar reiterated its commitment to providing the humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people, whether unilaterally, bilaterally or multilaterally through the United Nations. 
This came in a speech delivered by Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, during an a session of informal consultations called by the European Union Delegation to the United Nations to follow up the results of the Brussels Conference "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region." The humanitarian aid provided so far by the State of Qatar amounted to US $ 1.6 billion, she said. 
The State of Qatar pledged to provide a new contribution of US $ 100 million to address the humanitarian situation of the Syrian people in 2017, the Qatari diplomat said. 
Qatar has developed and implemented, in partnership with international and regional organizations, an initiative on education and professional development for children and youth launched on the sidelines of the 71st Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71) of which at least 400,000 Syrians have benefited over five years, HE Al-Thani said, noting that the initiative is part of Qatar's pledge of $ 100 million announced by the London Donors Conference. 
Qatar also hosts more than 60,000 Syrians while at least 7,000 people were reunited with their families and are living in Qatar, she went on saying. 
The Ambassador urged the international community to take necessary legal measures to hold the perpetrators accountable in Syria and provide humanitarian support to the Syrian people. 
The international community must make every effort to end impunity for crimes and make accountability a reality for the Syrian people by supporting and financing the international independent mechanism established by the UN General Assembly in December 2016 to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes against humanity in Syria since March according to the International Law. 
HE Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani announced a financial support provided by the State of Qatar worth US $ 500,000 to support the activation of the international mechanism. 
 Humanitarian assistance alone can not end the suffering of the Syrian people, She said, stressing that a lasting and comprehensive political process would put an end to Syria's untold suffering.

Source: QNA