Amid coronavirus concerns, some US-funded aid work paused in northeast Syria
The United States intends to focus more on stabilizing Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah provinces as it suspends humanitarian operations in northeast Syria due to COVID-19.
![A man sits near a coronavirus awareness billboard in Damascus A man sits near a coronavirus awareness billboard, during a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Damascus, Syria, April 4, 2020. Picture taken April 4, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC2YXF91PSOD](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2019/04/RTS3847N.jpg/RTS3847N.jpg?h=16b717d3&itok=e1h0CIcZ)
The global spread of the coronavirus and its reported trickle into Syria has forced the United States and its local partners to pause some of their humanitarian activities in the country’s northeast.
“Activities that bring people together, like seed distribution, vocational training and psychosocial support to children in education centers, are not possible right now due to COVID-19,” a State Department spokesperson told Al-Monitor.