The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement deplores the death of another aid worker in Syria

In total, 32 SARC aid workers have lost their lives since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, all of them killed while carrying out their humanitarian duties. They were all clearly displaying the red crescent emblem, which should have given them protection under international humanitarian law.

As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, Sabri’s death reflects the difficulties and dangers that aid workers and SARC volunteers are facing in Syria.

On 29 October, the Movement called upon all parties involved in the conflict in Syria to respect the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and guarantee the safety of aid workers and their unimpeded, immediate access to people in need across the country. We also called on all those who have an influence on the ground to help us ensure aid reached those most in need. Without this respect, saving lives and providing much-needed assistance to millions of Syrians will become close to impossible.  

Today, the Movement reiterates that call – for the sake of aid workers, for the sake of their families, for the sake of victims, and above all for the sake of humanity. We urge the international community and all the parties to the conflict in Syria to take the urgent action necessary to attain a tangible outcome.  

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Sabri Ebrahim and its full solidarity with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. We urge every member of the Movement – every volunteer, staff and supporter – to stand in solidarity with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and to continue to renew and reinforce our repeated joint call for the respect and protection of volunteers and aid workers in Syria.

This sad news reached the leaders of the Movement as they discussed their organizations’ future direction at their biennial statutory meetings in Sydney, Australia. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed their strong support for SARC volunteers and for all the other volunteers and staff of the Movement across the globe who risk their lives to get aid to those who need it most. In Sydney, the SARC received the Red Cross and Red Crescent Prize for Peace and Humanity, a Movement award to recognize efforts to build a more peaceful world through humanitarian action and the dissemination of the ideals of the Movement.