Situation in Syria

Many hospitals and schools not in operation

Many Syrian refugees want to return home after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. The mood of the people is "hopeful", said Hossam Elsharkawi from the Red Cross. At the same time, he pointed out that around half of the schools and the majority of hospitals in Syria were still not functioning.

"During my previous visits, I was always asked: How do I get out of Syria?" said the representative of the aid organization on Monday in Vienna. "Now the question is: How do I get my family back to Syria?" Therefore, basic supplies and infrastructure must be rebuilt in the destroyed country.

The refugees who currently want to return are mainly in the neighboring countries of Turkey and Lebanon. A return must be made safe. Elsharkawi pointed out that around half of the schools and the majority of hospitals in the country were still not functioning. There are also still serious deficiencies in the water and energy supply as well as the supply of medicines.

From left: WCC General Secretary Michael Opriesnig and Hossam Elsharkawi(Bild: APA/ÖRK/Markus Hechenberger)

Do not become dependent on aid
Syria must not become permanently dependent on humanitarian aid, said the Red Cross representative. That is why it is important to ease international sanctions. Politics and diplomacy must do their job. "You say the right things, doing them will be a challenge," he said to the new Islamist leadership. The international community must help the Syrian leadership "not to make gross mistakes". 

The Austrian Red Cross has been active in Syria since the beginning of the civil war in 2011. It is primarily involved in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene.