Response to the Unrest in Syria - International Committee of the Red Cross 2011

July 5 2011 - Protests against the regime of Bashir al-Assad started in mid-March in the southern city of Dara'a. The protests were in part inspired by the "Arab Spring" that followed uprisings in Tunisia Egypt and Libya. The government response has been one of violent repression by the security forces: it has used excessive violence to stop all protests in order to preserve the security of the state. With CIDA support the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) aims to provide emergency assistance to ensure adequate surgical and medical care for the wounded and provide family-links services for violence-affected people in Syria. The ICRC works in close cooperation and provides support to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The SARC is the main humanitarian organization in the country. It has the capacity to deliver efficient humanitarian services including first aid tracing emergency response in armed conflict and other situations of violence. It has a vital role to play in ensuring the delivery of aid to conflict areas throughout the country.