Caabu has been speaking to the media on Russia's proposed ceasefire in Aleppo and the arrival of food convoys. Caabu director Chris Doyle was interviewed by the BBC and Joseph Willits was quoted in The i Paper.
11 August 2016
Speaking to the BBC on 11 August, Caabu Director, Chris Doyle said that the Russian proposal for a three-hour daily ceasefire in Aleppo simply was unworkable and not a realistic proposition. The United Nations has made clear that it needs at least one 48-hour long ceasefire a week to deliver humanitarian aid into the northern Syrian city. Doyle emphasised that it must be remembered that this also was just the barest minimum to keep hundreds of thousands of civilians alive, but what was really needed was a political solution, an end to the fighting including the aerial bombardment. Russian and Syrian government planes were almost daily hitting health centres in opposition held territory. The situation in the eastern half of the city was appalling with the siege barely lifted and that there was a danger that the western part of the city would also come under siege.
Quoted in the i, Joseph Willits said:
Ultimately it is not entirely clear which rebel groups delivered the aid convoy to east Aleppo, however reports suggest that those who drove it are rebel fighters with Jaysh al-Fatah, Ahrar a-Sham and others. Only rebel fighters would be able to secure access, provide protection for the convoy, and get the food in, given that the road is so dangerous.
“What this delivery of produce has highlighted is huge criticism for the UN who have so far failed to ensure humanitarian aid is sent to eastern Aleppo. It yet again forces the narrative that Syrians under siege are being failed by the UN, and are having to rely on various rebel groups – a trend that highlights the international community’s failure in Syria.
“One only has to look at the images coming from eastern Aleppo of celebrations at the arrival of cucumbers, apples, tomatoes and eggs to realise the toll that such a siege has taken upon residents. Such images of celebration over fruit and vegetables from people who have previously been under siege should not lead to further inaction, but demonstrate the increasingly urgent need to do even more for those enduring hellish conditions. Something which should have been done long before it got this bad.”
