PUTRAJAYA: The worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria continues to be a great concern for Malaysia.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said that despite ongoing international relief efforts in Syria, the human cost of the conflict is unacceptable.

“We are faced with a tragic crisis involving people.

Though the challenges are massive, complex and multifaceted, the world has to step up to meet the needs and address the deteriorating situation before human beings become mere numbers or statistic in reports.

“As a responsible member of the United Nations, Malaysia is determined to play its role in responding and providing assistance on humanitarian grounds as well as continue to cooperate with the international community.

“This will be done on a case-by-case basis to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation around the globe,” he said at the ministry’s buka puasa function with ambassadors and higher officials, today.

He said Malaysia has also been cooperating with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to assist members such as Palestine and its people.

Among Malaysia’s other efforts includes the realisation of legitimising the rights of Muslim minorities and communities for peace, development and security particularly the widely acknowledged peace process in Southern Philippines and Southern Thailand.

Earlier, Anifah witnessed the handing over of USD100,000 to the victims of the Ecuador earthquake.

The monetary contribution was given by the ministry’s secretary-general Tan Sri Othman Hashim, to the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador, Pablo Bonifaz Arboleda.

Also present were senior officials from the Foreign Ministry and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) of Malaysia as well as representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador to Malaysia.

The contribution of USD 100,000 is from the Kumpulan Wang Amanah Bantuan Bencana Negara (KWABBN).-nst