5 years too long: Why the world’s biggest humanitarian disaster must end soon

The worst humanitarian crisis of our time has lasted too long as millions of Syrians have experienced widespread violence, destruction and displacement. Since March 2011, hundreds of thousands have been killed, over a million wounded and half the population has been displaced or sought refuge in neighboring countries. Schools, hospitals and other infrastructure have been reduced to rubble, and over 2 million children and adolescents are out of school. Four out of five Syrians now live in poverty.

In a country that was once known as the “cradle of civilization,” sieges are increasingly used as a tactic of war. In 2016, on average nearly half a million people have been trapped in their towns, deprived of essential aid and surrounded by armed groups. Millions more live in areas where aid seldom reaches. Summary executions, arbitrary detention and horrific human rights violations are a regular feature of this crisis.