Amid coronavirus concerns, some US-funded aid work paused in northeast Syria
The United States intends to focus more on stabilizing Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah provinces as it suspends humanitarian operations in northeast Syria due to COVID-19.
The global spread of the coronavirus and its reported trickle into Syria has forced the United States and its local partners to pause some of their humanitarian activities in the country’s northeast.
“Activities that bring people together, like seed distribution, vocational training and psychosocial support to children in education centers, are not possible right now due to COVID-19,” a State Department spokesperson told Al-Monitor.
Some programs, such as business literacy courses, have been moved online, the spokesperson added. The United States is still pressing ahead with plans to rehabilitate a water station in the town of Hajin while adhering to social distancing practices.
The spokesperson added that some of the US-funded stabilization activities in the northeast were already scheduled to end this month, specifically noting a program that supports independent media in Syria.
