Words are not enough

The UN high commissioner for refugees and some Western countries are calling on Turkey to allow entry to the wave of Syrian refugees that recently fled the fighting in and around Aleppo and are now stranded on the Turkish border.

Turkey has already some 2 million Syrian refugees; it has been asked by the EU to prevent their exodus to neighbouring European states, fearing further movement into EU countries.

The some 70,000 Syrian refugees now staying in makeshift accommodations in camps on the Turkish border, pending the resolution of their plight, are braving cold weather in primitive shelters.

Many are children, women and old people who fled the recent advances in the direction of Aleppo and the entire north of the country by the Syrian army and its supporters from among Hizbollah members and Iran.

On top of this is the continuous, merciless, Russian aerial bombardment that provides cover to the advancing Syrian troops, which is taking a heavy toll on human life.

Calling on Turkey to welcome more refugees and asking Ankara to stop them from crossing into Europe is easy, but that does not help the Syrian refugees whose numbers could swell due to the relentless fighting.

What is needed is for pertinent UN agencies and the Western capitals to call on the UN Security Council to order an immediate ceasefire in Syria, a cessation of hostilities that does not hinge on the holding of peace talks.

The situation in Syria is no doubt appalling, but mere talk will do nothing to change it.

There must be an immediate ceasefire in Syria even before the parties sit down to talk — if they can be made to do so, of course.

If death and destruction are allowed to continue in Syria, the international community should not express dismay at the number of refugees seeking safe haven, nor should it try to block entry to these desperate souls into different countries.