Two years of crisis and human tragedy in Syria

Guest blog from British Ambassador to Turkey, David Reddaway, marking the second anniversary of the Syrian Uprising:

The two years of crisis and human tragedy in Syria since the uprising, shaped by the Assad regime’s decision to respond to the Syrian people’s demand for democratic rights by repression rather than reform, have had a huge impact on Turkey, Syria’s northern neighbour.

Turkey had made a huge effort in recent years to improve its often difficult relationship with Syria.  The two governments had become very friendly, even holding symbolic joint Cabinet meetings.  People and trade flowed through the border crossings.

When the Arab Spring broke out in Syria, Turkey’s response was to advise Assad to introduce reforms.  The Turks were bitterly disappointed when it became clear that he wouldn’t.  And, as the human tragedy developed, they opened their doors, in the best tradition of hospitality, to Syrians fleeing the violence.

This has been a huge logistical and financial challenge.  Turkey has given sanctuary to around 400,000 needy Syrians – a number that increases daily.  Many have been generously absorbed into local communities: last week I saw the way in which Mor Gabriel monastery in the southeastern Turkish city of Mardin was accommodating Syriac Christians from over the border, and heard about the way in which Syrians are welcomed in other cities, towns and villages in the region.

In addition, almost 200,000 Syrians are hosted in a string of well-equipped camps in southern Turkey.  When Kofi Annan visited last year, he said they were some of the best camps he had ever seen.  I can confirm that myself: I recently visited one of Turkey’s newest camps, in Adiyaman province, which is sheltering around 10,000 Syrians. The commitment of the Turkish officials involved was truly impressive.

This week, Dr Fuat Oktay, the chairman of Turkey’s disaster and emergencies agency, which oversees Turkey’s response to the flood of Syrians, said that Turkey had spent $1.5bn building and running their 17 camps.

My camp visit gave me an opportunity to talk to Turkish aid practitioners and the local media about how the UK is helping.  My colleagues and I in the British Embassy have been working directly with Turkish Red Crescent, who set up the camps.  For example, we have used British money to buy heaters, strong plastic sheeting to cover tents, and other equipment for three camps.

While in Adiyaman I was able to confirm that the UK was providing a further donation of £330,000 to the World Food Programme to support their feeding programme in Turkey, which will soon reach 100,000 people.

The UK continues to work with Turkey and other governments to achieve a political solution to the Syrian crisis.  It’s taking too long, at awful human cost.  As long as the humanitarian crisis continues, we will help Turkey and ordinary Syrians deal with the impact of this terrible conflict.  It was very striking that the main issues Syrian refugees in Turkey have raised with me were not their own conditions in Turkey, where they felt safe and cared for.  What they were most worried about were their family and friends still inside Syria; and about when Assad would go and the rebuilding of life in Syria could start.  They wanted to go home – but to a home in which they could enjoy the security and democratic rights for which they had risen up against the Assad regime.

British Ambassador to Turkey David Reddaway