(MENAFN- Arab Times) In this week's Arab Times poll readers reacted to the Third International Humanitarian Pledging conference for Syria that was held in Kuwait this week. Gearing up to the conference many in Kuwait felt that a humanitarian response was insufficient and a political resolution was necessary. 66% of respondents felt that the Syrian crisis had continued for far too long and as Syria enters its fifth year of armed conflict the international community must take more decisive action. 'The death toll of Syrians continue to rise millions are displaced and the ripple effects of the civil war are being felt across the region. It is not an isolated event that can be ignored and treated only with money' a reader shared. 'While relief agencies are doing a very important job saving lives on the ground how sustainable is all of this? Humanitarian assistance is crucial but it cannot be the only response. We cannot just provide aid and sit back.
The Syrian people need to get their normal lives back' another reader told the Arab times. 'The Syrian crisis gave the ISIS a foothold. If we allow for it to continue who knows what radicalisation may mushroom?' a voter expressed his fears. 26% of voters felt that money spent on hosting lavish conferences should be diverted to aid agencies. 'I think it was very generous of the Kuwaiti government to host the conference. But in this day and age why can't we hold virtual meetings and cut costs?' a respondent pointed out.
'The coming together of the countries is symbolic of the international community's concern for the Syrian people. This will do a lot for the morale for those who are suffering. It gives them hope and you cannot put a price tag on that' another reader shared. 6% of respondents in the days leading up to the conference were worried about donor fatigue can be observed with the Syrian crisis. 'I am happy to see that the international community has been generous in its donations. I was worried that the plight of Syrians might have become old news' a Syrian expatriate living in Kuwait pointed out. 2% of respondents shared that access to besieged areas is pertinent to impact.
'We can donate all the money we want and send in aid. But unless the aid reaches those affected it is useless. The Syrian regime has denied most of the UN's interagency convoy requests. There are many roadblocks that need to be overcome' a concerned Kuwaiti national stated. At the conference International donors pledged $3.8 billion Kuwait pledged $500 million adding to its previous pledges of $300 million and $500 million respectively.
By: Cinatra Fernandes Arab Times Staff
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