Dear John,

Emgage Action has joined 161 American, Syrian, and international humanitarian, civil society, advocacy, and faith-based organizations in urging the U.S. government to lift broad-based sanctions on Syria. We have sent a letter to President Biden, U.S. agencies, and Congress calling for critical policy changes to alleviate widespread suffering.

Syria is facing a devastating humanitarian and economic crisis. While sanctions were originally imposed to pressure the Assad regime, they have disproportionately harmed ordinary civilians—restricting essential aid, crippling economic recovery, and making it harder for Syrians to rebuild their lives.

Our letter outlines key actions the U.S. government must take to prevent further harm, including:

✅ Expanding OFAC General Licenses to allow humanitarian aid groups to operate freely
✅ Lifting restrictions on U.S. investments and services that could support economic stability
✅ Issuing broad export license exceptions to facilitate the delivery of critical supplies
✅ Temporarily suspending Caesar Act sanctions hindering reconstruction efforts
✅ Resolving compliance contradictions that discourage humanitarian assistance

With millions of Syrians facing poverty, displacement, and limited access to basic needs, these reforms are more urgent than ever. Humanitarian aid and economic relief should not be obstructed by overly restrictive sanctions policies.