Archbishop Shahda to Al Mayadeen: Earthquake exacerbated Aleppo crisis

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen Net
12 Feb 2023 22:30
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Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo and its dependencies Mor Dionysius Antoine Shahda says that despite the exacerbated crisis, Syria will inevitably return to what it used to be prior to the war and sanctions.

Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo and its dependencies Mor Dionysius Antoine Shahda speaking to Al Mayadeen on February 12, 2023 (Exclusive)

The Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo and its dependencies Mor Dionysius Antoine Shahda told Al Mayadeen that "what Aleppo experienced at dawn on Monday was very terrible," calling on the world to act with conscience and humanity toward others.

The Archbishop explained that "the earthquake came to exacerbate the crisis that Aleppo is already plunged in due to the war." Shahda pointed to the limited capabilities and the need for more foodstuffs to meet the needs of the displaced, as he affirmed that the numbers could possibly increase.

The Aleppo Archbishop stressed that "the power of the American army will fade sooner or later," pointing out that Syria was "vibrant and prosperous before the war and the sanctions, and its people must return to this status."

Two days ago, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, accompanied by First Lady Asma Al-Assad, visited the earthquake victims at the Aleppo University Hospital.

During his tour, Al-Assad said, "It is natural for the West to politicize the situation. As for human feelings, they do not exist, neither now nor in the past," adding that the Syrian authorities "will put all possibilities to rebuild the affected areas and help the afflicted therein."

Middle East Council of Churches: Lift sanctions off Syria immediately

On February 6, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) called for the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria - by the West - as the current blockade is restricting the efforts to provide the Syrian people with the basic needs to respond to the devastating earthquake that struck the country.

"We urge the immediate lifting of sanctions on Syria and allowing access to all materials, so sanctions may not turn into a crime against humanity," said the attendees of the Council in a statement.

They added that "despite their [Churches] limited resources as a result of the blockade," however, "all the Churches in the Middle East have put their resources at the disposal of the affected and displaced people due to the earthquake, since the first moments of the disaster."

The MECC "called on the international community and the international Ecumenical family to provide urgent emergency aid to the region, in coordination with the Middle East Council of Churches, the Churches, and their affiliated institutions."

We "will spare no effort in doing all they can to relieve their pain and lead them towards prosperity and progress," continued the statement, stressing that the Churches in the Middle East "always support their people."