The European Union said on Thursday it was temporarily easing sanctions on Syria to speed up aid deliveries to the country two weeks after the devastating earthquake.
The change made Thursday means "the EU has waived the need for humanitarian organizations to seek prior permission from EU member states' national competent authorities to make transfers or provide goods and services intended for humanitarian purposes to listed persons and entities", the European Council said in a statement.
The measure will last six months and was taken "in view of the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, exacerbated by the earthquakes".
The devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 killed over 43,000 people in Türkiye and over 3,600 in Syria.
The EU and its member states are leading donors of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Syria. Since 2011, the European Union and its member states have dedicated €27.4 billion ($29 billion) of humanitarian funding to Syria and neighboring countries in tackling the crisis.
Since the devastating earthquake, the EU and its member states have provided €3.5 million ($3.7 million) in humanitarian assistance to cover the most urgent needs.
The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and its affiliates are subject to European sanctions because of their repression of the people during the years of the conflict.
The EU sanctions, imposed in 2011, target 291 individuals and 70 entities for asset freezes and a travel ban.
