When a devastating earthquake struck Syria in February, high-income countries rushed through exemptions from their sanctions against the Assad regime to help bring disaster relief to the tens of thousands left injured and homeless.
And yet, people in desperate conditions waited months for food, clothing, and blankets, money transfers were blocked, and long-term planning to rebuild collapsed homes and infrastructure was almost impossible, NGOs protested afterward.
What explains this vast gap between noble intention and the grim reality on the ground?
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About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.
