Big powers urged to freeze sanctions on Syria, Iran, Venezuela during virus

FILE PHOTO: Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Jan Egeland attends an interview with Reuters at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland May 10, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

GENEVA (Reuters) - Major powers must suspend economic sanctions against countries including Syria, Iran and Venezuela during the coronarivus pandemic which threatens to worsen hunger and suffering for the poor, an international refugee charity said on Tuesday.

Jan Egeland, a former U.N. aid chief who now heads the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), said that despite sanctions exemptions for medical and food supplies, aid groups still face hurdles to help vulnerable people during the health crisis.