David Martin: Everyone can help ease Syria crisis

There is little the European Union can do to bring a military solution to the crisis in Syria. But that does not mean we should sit back and wring our hands in anguish.

Lebanese and Syrians take part in a demonstration against Hezbollah's military interference in Syria. Picture: Getty

Today I am sponsoring a European Parliament resolution highlighting the humanitarian situation.

The EU could and should play a role in helping to bring the unfolding tragedy in Syria to an end, the first priority being that those affected must be able to access the aid they need. The people of Syria are clamouring for their human rights, for their right to live free from violence – the world must respond with a massive political and humanitarian solution to the crisis.

Pressure is also mounting on neighbouring countries as refugees continue to flood across the borders.

This week Oxfam warned the crisis is rapidly escalating, with the consequence that relief agencies are becoming overstretched.

Nearly 1.4 million people have now fled the conflict zone into neighbouring countries and that figure is set to rise.

Inside Syria, the UN now estimates that 6.8 million people are in need of aid.

And of course at the heart of the Syrian tragedy is an older and deeper one, that of the stateless Palestinian people who have been suffering for decades.

More than 400,000 Palestinians have already been affected by the situation in Syria.

Although the Palestinians have remained largely neutral in the conflict, they were an already vulnerable and disproportionately poor community within Syria before the outbreak of the civil war.

Oxfam is calling on the UN Security Council to help humanitarian access by using its influence to urge the Syrian government and opposition groups to do all they can to ensure help reaches those most in need.

This could mean allowing aid to cross lines of control and across borders from neighbouring countries.

Massive donations are needed. Unfortunately, the current UN appeal is still only 58 per cent funded.

But individuals here in Scotland can help by donating to the current Oxfam Syria Crisis Appeal at www.Oxfam.org.uk/Syria

• David Martin is a Labour Scottish MEP.