Syrian Red Crescent obstruct aid access to Southern Syria

The Mesopotamia Relief and Development Association issued a statement addressing donors, and the public regarding the campaign to support civilians affected in southern Syria and Sweida 

The association stated: "In our commitment to credibility and transparency with donors, and relevant government agencies, we see it as our duty to clarify the latest developments related to the campaign to support our affected people in southern Syria and Sweida.”

The association explained: "After collecting adequate quantities of food supplies and as a first batch of aid to Southern Syria, a team from the Mesopotamia Association headed to Damascus on Friday, August 1, 2025, accompanied by a 55-ton shipment of basic food supplies. This delivery was in full coordination and based on an official request from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in Damascus, which made tireless efforts to deliver this aid to southern Syria and Sweida Governorate, which is experiencing dire humanitarian conditions due to a severe shortage of food and medical supplies."

According to official decisions and approvals, the Society was supposed to coordinate with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to allow the convoy to enter the affected areas and distribute aid in a coordinated manner with active parties and organizations, after obtaining security approvals and coordinating with local authorities.

The Society noted: "However, we were surprised by a request from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to receive the entire shipment and distribute it individually, without any participation or permission for any employee or volunteer from our Society to accompany the convoy and monitor the distribution process. This contradicts our credibility with the parties and individuals who donated to this campaign."

The Society confirmed that, in order to maintain transparency and credibility with donors, they decided, after persistent and unfortunately fruitless attempts, not to hand over the shipment to any other party unless members of their team were allowed to be present during the arrival and distribution. This was in light of the absence of an effective and real role for UN agencies in pressuring or mediating the entry of the shipment. Accordingly, "we have decided to return the shipment to Hasaka Governorate until a formula is reached that guarantees our direct involvement in the distribution mechanism and ensures the smooth running of the process."

And also emphasized that the targeted beneficiaries of this campaign are "our affected people in Southern Syria, in rural Daraa, Sweida, and rural Damascus, regardless of race, sect, or religion. In order to uphold the principle of impartiality, we have been and continue to be determined to follow up on any grant or donation that reaches us."

The Mesopotamia Relief and Development Association noted that it will continue its efforts "to provide support to our people in every Syrian governorate, through official and transparent channels, and in cooperation with every party that shares our humanitarian principles."

Sh-S

ANHA