World running out of answers on Syria

Thousands of Syrian refugees keep crossing into neighbouring countries, having seen no hope of the conflict dying down in their nation. Yesterday’s reports of another full-scale gunbattle in the city of Homs, between government forces and rebels will no doubt throw up the prospect of more Syrians looking for refuge across the border. The key questions are when will this madness end and who has the answers to solve the problem that spiralled out of everyone’s control? Sadly, it appears that the world is running out of answers on Syria and its innocent civilians who are caught up as collateral in the vortex of a never-ending and violent conflict.

Even as more Syrian refugees are lining up outside their borders, neighbouring countries are feeling the pinch for letting them in. Refugee camps are running out of vital supplies like heating, water, electricity and the plight of the oppressed is made worse by the severe, unrelenting cold weather that is also taking a further toll on lives. At last count, more than 2.35 million people had fled across Syria’s borders, while millions were displaced internally as well.

Effective international diplomatic action needs to be put into motion. Responsible global powers need to address the problem by looking at it neutrally and without their own agendas. What can be more important than saving the lives of innocents caught in a civil war that is not of their making? The political bargaining and bickering must stop. The community of nations has shown its humane face by offering shelter to Syrian refugees, but it is time to show their conscientious face by taking concrete steps to negotiate with the stakeholders and bring an end to the fighting.

Those who see themselves as friends of Syria must realise that being associates to a government does not necessarily ally them to the people. The resettlement of Syrian refugees into their own country cannot be used as a bargaining chip.