On Sept. 26, 2011 the Department of Treasury issued a “General License” that permits nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide services in Syria that would otherwise be prohibited under Executive Order 13582, signed by President Barack Obama on Aug. 17, 2011. It blocks assets of the Syrian government that are located in the U.S. and prohibits a wide range of financial and trade transactions, including humanitarian aid. The General License lists specific NGO activities that are permitted without the need to go through Treasury’s lengthy Specific License process.
The General License allows NGOs “to export or reexport services to Syria that would otherwise be prohibited…. in support of the following non-for-profit activities:”
To make delivery of such services feasible, the General License permits NGOs to “engage in transactions with the Government of Syria that are necessary for the activities authorized…” This includes payment of fees, obtaining permits and similar logistical arrangements.
NGOs have been seeking a similar General License for famine aid in Somalia, but to date there has been no response from Treasury.