US issues temporary waiver for Caesar Act imposed on Syria

MENA

Published: 2023-02-10 18:15

Last Updated: 2024-03-27 15:52


US issues temporary waiver for Caesar Act imposed on Syria
US issues temporary waiver for Caesar Act imposed on Syria

Friday, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a temporary waiver for Caesar Act imposed on Syria.

This came to allow earthquake relief funds to reach Syria. The decision is valid for a period of 180 days, until Aug. 8, 2023.

Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury Department Wally Adeyemo said: “Our deepest condolences go out to the people of Türkiye and Syria for the tragic loss of life and destruction in the wake of devastating earthquakes.”

He added: “As international allies and humanitarian partners mobilize to help those affected, I want to make very clear that U.S. sanctions in Syria will not stand in the way of life-saving efforts for the Syrian people. While U.S. sanctions programs already contain robust exemptions for humanitarian efforts, today the Treasury is issuing a blanket General License to authorize earthquake relief efforts so that those providing assistance can focus on what’s needed most: saving lives and rebuilding.”

The United States adopted the Caesar Act in 2020 following President Donald Trump's administration's expansion of sanctions against Syria.

The Act, however, did not stop Arab countries from providing aid to Syria.

The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, also known as the Caesar Act, is United States legislation that sanctions the Syrian government.

Monday, Feb. 6, 2022, a 7.8-magnitude quake struck Turkey and Syria as people slept, flattening thousands of structures, trapping an unknown number of people, and potentially impacting millions.

Whole rows of buildings collapsed, leaving some of the heaviest devastations.

As of Friday morning, the death toll following Monday's earthquake exceeded 22,000 in both Turkey and Syria.