On Tuesday the White House announced through a statement by President Obama the funding of an additional $155 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria who have been suffering through an intense civil war between Syria's present leader Bashar al-Assad and opposition forces for almost two years.
The aid will provide clean water, food, clothing and medical supplies for the people of Syria who have been under violent assault from the Syrian government’s military by direct order of Assad. Assad has targeted both opposition forces and innocent civilians in his attempt to hold onto power in the Middle Eastern nation.
“This new aid will mean more warm clothing for children and medicine for the elderly; flour and wheat for your families and blankets, boots and stoves for those huddled in damaged buildings,” President Obama remarked in Tuesday’s statement. Continuing, he said, “It will mean health care for victims of sexual violence and field hospitals for the wounded. Even as we work to end the violence against you, this aid will help address some of the immediate needs you face each day.”
The President also called on other nations across the globe to do more for Syrians requiring aid.
On Wednesday the United Nations will be holding a forum in order to gain pledges for aid for the Syria people. The UN has been continually working to supply aid for the victims of violence, noting that human rights violations have occurred on both sides in the Syrian conflict.
Including this latest round of humanitarian aid, aid thus far from the United States for the crisis in Syria has totaled $365 million.
President Obama has previously condemned the attacks on civilians by Assad and continues to do so, calling for him to step down as Syria’s leader in order to give an opportunity for “a transition that leads to a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Syria, where the rights of all Syrians are protected."
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