While European Union members are debating the lifting of arms embargo on Syria, populations living in opposition held territories continue to be severed from desperately needed humanitarian aid. Yet, there is a controversy among aid agencies on the best ways to scale up relief activities in Syria.

On January 8th, nine Nigerians, all working on the poliomyelitis vaccination campaign, were murdered in Kano, in the north of the country. A few weeks before, several Pakistani (nine in December, seven in January), again members of poliomyelitis vaccination teams, were also killed.

The earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince and neighboring areas has led to a worldwide surge of solidarity which we must fully appreciate because no country could face such a disaster on this scale alone.