Health care must be a priority at Syrian refugee camps

Our readers have their say on Etihad, Iran, sanctions and aid

epa07140670 A handout photo made available by Syrian Arabic Red Crescent (SARC) shows UN and SARC convoy driving to deliver humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians at Rukban camp near the Jordanian border, south-east Syria, 04 November 2018. According to the UN, an operation to deliver humanitarian assistance to 50,000 people in need at Rukban camp in south-east Syria started on 04 November and is expected to take up to four days, the first of kind since the last UN delivery in January 2018, delivered through Jordan.  EPA/SARC HANDOUT BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
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The image illustrating your article First aid since January reaches displaced Syrians near Jordan border (November 4) shows the shameful conditions in which displaced civilians are living in that area. The situation will further deteriorate in the winter season and aid agencies must ensure that children and ageing people are taken care of.

In such weather conditions, the most important thing is to take preventive measures to avoid spreading diseases. While the aid fleet must arrive safely to dispense emergency supplies to the already suffering civilians, various other goups must be involved. A co-ordinated effort can ensure supplies reaching the needy as early as possible.

It is also equally important to set up an emergency medical assistance team at the relief camps. Their regular visits can provide psychological help to people, particularly children.  Along with food and other supplies, health care should be a priority round-the-clock at all relief camps.

Ramachandran Nair, Muscat

Kudos to Etihad for its extraordinary growth

I refer to your article Up, up and away: the story of Etihad's first flight (November 5), exactly 15 years ago, Etihad's first aircraft A330 took off from Abu Dhabi international airport – and how the company has grown since. Over the years, Etihad has earned a solid reputation among other airlines and passengers alike.

Today the UAE has two major airlines, one based in Dubai. Kudos to Etihad. I wish the company great success in the coming months and years.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Iran will do its utmost to circumvent US sanctions

I write in reference to your article US turns the screws on Iran as full sanctions take effect (November 5): Iran is a stubborn nation that would rather inflict hardship on its people than bow to the demands of the US or its president Donald Trump.

Sanctions will hurt but Tehran will do everything it can to circumnavigate them, as long as China and Russia remain amenable.

Negotiations are the best policy for such problems, as Iran does not take measures like these without retaliating in some way.

Name withheld by request