How International Politics Will Complicate Earthquake Relief Efforts in Syria

US Sanctions Are Not the Problem Here

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The devastating earthquake in southern Turkiye is going to require a massive humanitarian response. But the contours of that response will be vastly different in Syria than in Turkey.

The very parts of Syria hardest hit by the earthquake are those that are under the control of Syrian rebel groups and where there is active fighting. Now, we have an epic humanitarian catastrophe layered on top of an epic humanitarian catastrophe -- all in the dead of winter.

Vanessa Jackson is the UN Representative for Care International, a large international humanitarian relief organization with operations in the region. We kick off discussing the expected humanitarian needs in the coming weeks and months before having a longer conversation about why geopolitical rivalries and the ongoing war in Syria will profoundly complicate relief efforts going forward.

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