Is help allowed? How French financial institutions hinder humanitarian action in Syria
This report examines the banking obstacles encountered by humanitarian and development actors from the Syrian diaspora based in France. With the strengthening of the measures against money laundering and the funding of terrorism, French financial institutions apply a precautionary principle which leads them to hinder solidarity actions towards the Syrian civilian population.
METHODOLOGY Interviews were conducted between January and March 2018, with 25 organizations:
Registered in France for more than 12 months Still active In favor of a peaceful and democratic future for Syria Whose main beneficiaries are Syrians, in Syria or abroad
Impressive results Since 2014, almost all French-Syrian peaceful and democratic organizations are facing an increase of bank blockages hindering their missions for humanitarian and medical aid.
96 % Percentage of organizations interviewed that have experienced or are experiencing financial obstacles
64% of Franco-Syrian organizations interviewed experience at least two types of financial obstacles
Primary obstacles identified
Closure of bank accounts
Rejection of new account applications
Closure of accounts by payment processors
Delays/ rejections in transfers abroad
No obstacles
The problem is generalized It concerns 4 of the 5 largest French banking groups The same problems are found in Europe, at least in the following countries
Germany
United Kingdom
Belgium
These difficulties come from the reinforcement of the anti-terror rules, from 2014 and the rise of Daesh. Yet, most organizations concerned by this study are recognized and financed by public funds.
by hindering humanitarian actions, the fight against the funding of terrorism has counter-productive effects
A critical impact These obstacles have real consequences on the ground: Delays in school constructions; Delays in the delivery of humanitarian aid; Delays in the supply of medicines for hospitals; Unable to pay the salaries of field staff...
Humanitarian action alleviates the suffering of local populations, increases their resilience and limits the development of radicalization. The fight against the funding of terrorism and humanitarian action are two sides of the same coin. They must be thought together and not one at the expense of the other On September 19, in front of the UN General Assembly, Emmanuel Macron Stated: “Taking action in Syria means taking action for the Syrian people, but it also means protecting ourselves from Islamist terrorism.Âť
The key role of Humanitarian Aid This key role of the humanitarian action is recognized at the highest level: March 22, 2018, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves le Drian announced the tripling budgets allocated to humanitarian action, which becomes ÂŤA pillar of foreign policy [of France].Âť
The European Union and its Member States are the first humanitarian donors in Syria and around the world.
It is urgent to allow humanitarian and development actors to work and have access to the basics banking and financial services that are: A bank account The ability to make international transfers Access to crowdfunding tools