Sir, – I write in reference to "Ceasefire lifts spirits in Damascus as long recovery begins" (April 11th).
While I am sure that this article reflects accurately the position in Damascus, the position in the country as a whole is very different.
Goal has consistently attempted to impress on people the reality of the war in Syria, which is driving irregular population movements and security issues in Europe.
Readers should be aware that the ceasefire has had little effect on levels of violence in large parts of the country.
In Idlib province in northwestern Syria, where Goal supports over one million people in an area of similar size to Co Galway, there were 48 individual instances of conflict-related violence in the week between March 30th and April 5th last. These acts included the dropping of barrel bombs, the use of surface-to-surface missiles, the firing of tank rounds, mortar shells and other artillery, and multiple airstrikes.
The situation on the ground was exemplified by the words of US state department spokesman Mark Toner on April 11th, when he said that the United States was “very, very concerned” at the increased level of violence in advance of peace talks which began in Geneva on April 13th.
One can but hope that these talks will eventually bring an enduring and lasting peace to the people of Syria. – Yours, etc,
BARRY ANDREWS,
Chief Executive,
Goal,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.