UNSC adopts resolution on extending cross-border aid to Syria for six months via two crossings

NEW YORK, (ST)- The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution on extending cross-border humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria for six months and through two crossings on borders with Turkey.

The cross-border aid mechanism was established in 2014 and since then it has been renewed every year. It allowed humanitarian aid to be delivered through four UN-approved crossings.

Eleven countries supported the resolution, while Russia, China, the United Kingdom and the United States abstained. None of the Security Council member states voted against the resolution.

Following the voting session, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Bashar Al-Jaafari stressed that from the beginning of the terrorist war, Syria has spared no effort to guarantee the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to all citizens without discrimination.

 He reiterated that the improvement of the humanitarian situation in Syria necessitates lifting the coercive economic measures imposed on the Syrian people.

Al-Jaafari pointed out that the Syrian government together with its partners in humanitarian action, such as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the civil Society organizations, have engaged in serious cooperation with the concerned UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross plus 27 licensed foreign NGOs. The government has facilitated and supported the humanitarian work of these organizations whilst completely adhering to Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity as well as to the principles, provided in the UN General Assembly’s resolution No. 46/184, on coordinating and consolidating humanitarian action, said al-Jaafari.

However, al-Jaafari added, the Syrian government’s efforts were met by more violations of UN Charter by representatives of western states at the Security Council with the purpose of harming the Syrian state, prolonging the crisis and impeding peaceful settlement in the country.

The senior Syrian diplomat regretted the biased stance of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) that ignores the great efforts being exerted by the Syrian government in the humanitarian field and the pivotal role being played by Syria in facilitating the humanitarian action of the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations      

He said that OCHA report included many allegations, fabrications, misleading assessments and inciting information, pointing out that the OCHA report is unprofessional and immoral that contradicts the spirit of partnership and cooperation Syria adopts in dealing with concerned UN agencies and humanitarian partners.

Al-Jaafari affirmed that OCHA operators have failed to guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid to those who need it from the Syrian citizens without it falling in the hands of the terrorist organizations which have been for years looting the aid and using them to fund terrorist activities.

Al-Jaafari made it clear that facts on the ground have uncovered the limitless support provided by some governments to terrorism in Syria and have proved that the border crossings, which are not controlled by the Syrian state, have been used to guarantee the continuous flow of funds and arms supplies to the terrorist groups and to smuggle the oil and antiquities these governments loot from Syria.   

He reiterated that Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization derives elements of its continuity in Idleb from the constant financial, military and logistic support of the Turkish regime.

He called on the Security Council co-penholders (Germany, Belgium and Kuwait) to stop hostile campaigns against Syria and support the Syrian government’s humanitarian efforts, stressing that the improvement of the humanitarian situation necessitates backing Syria’s humanitarian efforts, lifting the coercive economic measures, halting attempts to hamper the reconstruction and recovery and assisting in refugees’ return.

Hamda Mustafa