Russian diplomat criticizes some Western, Arab media for partiality in reporting on Syria
MOSCOW. Dec 10 (Interfax) - The West should be more impartial in assessing the humanitarian situation in Syria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said.
"The assessment of the scale of the Syrian civilian population's sufferings should be more impartial. This is precisely what our Western partners and some media outlets are lacking," Gatilov said in response to a question from journalists regarding the humanitarian situation in Syria.
The diplomat's answer is available on the Russian Foreign Ministry website.
Moscow is concerned about the development of the humanitarian situation in Syria, which is continuing to worsen, he said.
"The wave of violence is not subsiding, and civilian casualties are increasing from day to day. Colossal damage is being caused to [Syria's] economy and its rich cultural and historical heritage," he said.
"And still, in the opinion of members of international humanitarian agencies working in Syria, the situation surrounding the delivery of aid to the districts blockaded by government forces is far from being as disastrous as is often presented by Western and some Arab media," he said.
Despite the complicated conditions, humanitarian agencies are stepping up their activities and expanding the scale and scope of their operations in Syria, Gatilov said.
"About 3.4 million people were provided with food through the UN World Food Programme in October. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided first necessities to 2.8 million people. About 3 million people have received medical aid, 2.2 million have been vaccinated against polio, and 10 million people have received access to potable water," he said.
"We see the main reason of the worsening humanitarian situation in the continuing influx of foreign militants and weapons into the country, in diversified support that radical elements are receiving from abroad, and in the unilateral anti-Syrian sanctions imposed by Western countries," he said.
