UK Issues Sanctions Exceptions for Humanitarian Relief in Syria
The U.K. issued two General Licenses to allow greater humanitarian relief efforts in Syria in response to the earthquakes that rocked the region, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation announced. The licenses, one issued by OFSI and the other by the Export Control Joint Unit, remove the need for individual license applications.
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"UK sanctions do not target humanitarian aid, food, or medical supplies, but we recognise that the current requirements for individual licensing are not always practical during a crisis response," Minister of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell said. "After significant engagement with partners and NGOs, these General Licences build on existing humanitarian provisions, and should provide extra clarity to actors on the ground responding to this devastating earthquake."
The ECJU's license runs to Aug. 31, while OFSI's license runs to Aug. 15. The OFSI license, while permitting humanitarian groups to carry out earthquake relief efforts, stipulates that any funds used to effect this aid "must not be from funds or economic resources that are owned" by a designated entity. However, this condition does not apply to funds controlled by a designated financial institution where those funds are not owned, held or controlled by another designated party or where the transfer of funds is otherwise permitted.