Deeply concerned by the latest deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Aleppo, a major Syrian city, which has long been suffering due to the prolonged civil war in the country, UCLG-MEWA Secretariat General calls all local government leaders all around the world to take action and respond to the outcry of the people of Aleppo.
As one of the main actors of the international community, local governments can play an important role to keep this crisis in the agenda of the international organizations. We urge all the local leaders to reach out to the people of Aleppo, in any means available, to mobilize their local communities to organize humanitarian campaigns, and to stimulate their national decision making mechanisms, i.e. central governments, in support of the Syrian people.
We believe that it is the solidarity of local governments that can transcend national borders and divisions and local governments can be main catalysts for peace in the world. In this framework, we call national, regional and international associations of local governments to use all the necessary instruments to urge all the parties to the conflict to stop targeting civilian populations.
Indiscriminately killing tens of thousands of unarmed men, women and children cannot be underestimated as “collateral damage”, and no political motive justifies war crimes. International community has a historic responsibility to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of millions of people trapped in conflict areas. Basic service provision needs to be reinstated immediately to alleviate the sufferings of the local population.
UCLG-MEWA Secretariat General
Click here for UCLG Call for a Ceasefire in Aleppo.