Aleppo inaction shames us all: Tim Costello

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

World Vision Australia is appalled by reports of mass executions and ongoing violence against civilians, including tens of thousands of children, in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

“World Vision is dismayed by the repeated failure of international leaders to protect civilians in Syria,” World Vision Australia chief advocate Tim Costello said.

“The voices of Syrians in Aleppo are falling silent, the streets are littered with the dead, and the international community remains paralysed.

“The final messages being sent from within the city are heartbreaking.

“Inaction in Aleppo shames us all.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced alarm “over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians" in Aleppo. The rescue workers known as the White Helmets have reported: “all streets and destroyed buildings are full with dead bodies. It's hell.”

World Vision joins with other humanitarian agencies in calling for UN member states, including Australia, to use the powers granted to them after World War II to protect civilians caught up in the 6-year-long humanitarian crisis including: an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian corridors for the safe evacuation of civilians, and access for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

Since March 2011, up to 470,000 people have been killed in Syria, 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian aid, 6.5 million are internally displaced and 4.8 million people have fled the country as refugees. An estimated 100,000 people remain trapped in eastern Aleppo.

Tim Costello is available for interview.
Contact: Stuart Rintoul 0407 241 492

Media Releases, Refugee Crisis, Syria, Tim Costello

Back to all Results