Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in Syria; and what consideration they have given to lifting the general economic sanctions imposed on that country.

Underlying humanitarian conditions in Syria are a product of Assad's violent campaign against the Syrian people. Even before the 6 February earthquake, the UN assessed that 15.3 million Syrians required humanitarian assistance. The UK has committed £3.8 billion in humanitarian aid to Syria since 2012. Since the earthquake, we have pledged £43.3 million. The UK will not lift sanctions targeting the regime until they change behaviour and engage in the UN political process. UK sanctions do not target humanitarian aid, food, or medical supplies. On 15 February, we issued two General Licences, which build on existing humanitarian provisions, to further facilitate relief efforts in Syria following the earthquake.