Statement by the HR/VP Federica Mogherini and EU Commissioner for Humanitarian aid and Crisis management Christos Stylianides on the attack on a refugee camp in northern Syria

The reports of many casualties following an attack on a refugee camp in northern Syria today, shows that the most vulnerable people continue be the first victims of the conflict.

Refugee camps should be a place where those most in need can find sanctuary from conflict, not targets of violence.

Attacks on refugee camps are unacceptable and constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

Once again, the European Union reiterates the urgent need for all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of civilians, avoiding targeting civilian infrastructure such as medical facilities and schools and grant those most in need unconditional access to humanitarian aid.

The EU is fully committed to continue supporting the Syrian people, as the leading humanitarian aid donor to the crisis.

Attacks of this kind highlight the urgent need for a negotiated end to the civil war. It is time for the international community to act collectively and forcefully to put the process back on track.

STATEMENT/16/1671

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