Both the Red Crescent and the Red Cross have been under fire for a while in Syria. Assad's regime, and the islamist rebel factions in Syria are both trying to impede the rescuers and aid workers from the international organizations
The volunteers, who together with other rescue and aid organizations, are caught in the middle between two very violent fires, are some of the most courageous people on Earth. And for that, they must be offered every single protection possible.
Their work however, is becoming so dangerous, and constantly impeded, that soon they too might be forced to leave. If they do, there will be absolutely no one to help the civilians caught in the crossfire.
The kidnapping of seven Red Cross workers, four of whom have been since released, has shined a spotlight on the conditions under which the aid workers have to work. But it has done little to better their condition. International outcry must be followed by international intervention and support.
Of the many aid workers who have died in Syria, many have done so after being tortured. Many others have been tortured, beaten and otherwise made to suffer.
Why is the international community not offering the Red Cross workers and other aid providers with the same protection as the UN workers and chemical inspectors?
The worse persecution in some cases, are in the areas that have come under the control of Islamist rebel factions, such as ISIS, who predicate that no non Muslim be present on what they perceive as Muslim land, and who persist in their wish to impose the strictest sharia law, thereby preventing many women from receiving the care they need.
The other problem is the continuous fluidity of the rebel held areas, with factions taking control in turns of one important conduit or another.
An appeal has been made by the UN to stop interfering or persecuting aid operations, but until a stronger measure is adopted, there will be no relief for the relief workers.
Op Ed
Partial Source : NBC / 10.15.13
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