UN calls on Syria to allow urgent aid access
The UN security council calls for the Syrian government to allow immediate access to provide desperately needed aid, saying that the humanitarian situation is getting dramatically worse.
The move is aimed at helping Syria’s seven million people who are in desperate need of help because of the civil war.
In a statement, the president of the UN security council called on the Syrian government to respect its obligation to provide “safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need through the most effective ways, including across conflict lines and, where appropriate, across borders from neighbouring countries.”
Lives ‘at risk’
The statement added that the security council is “appalled at the unacceptable and escalating level of violence” and expressed “deep concern” about the number of refugees, and the impact it was having on the entire region.
It warns that “several million Syrians, in particular internally displaced persons, nearly half of whom are children, are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance and that without urgent increased humanitarian action, their lives will be at risk.”
More than 110,000 people have died in Syria’s conflict, and over two million have become refugees and left the country.
The statement followed the security council’s first legally binding resolution since the Syrian conflict began two and a half years ago, which called on Syria to eliminate its chemical weapons.
Read more: the UN security council statement in full
A presidential statement is one step below a resolution, and is not legally binding.
Horrifying situation
UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos welcomed the statement addressing “the horrifying humanitarian situation” in Syria.
She called for “unhindered access” to people in areas that aid agencies have been unable to reach for months and a halt to the targeting of civilians.
Save the Children also welcomed the statement, but said that any agreement on paper needed to be backed up by action on the ground.
“The fight to save Syria’s children is not yet won,” said Save the Children CEO Justin Forsyth. “The serious work begins now; following this agreement we need the international community to commit to a concrete delivery plan to provide millions inside Syria with food, medicine and shelter.”
PM: Delighted UN has responded to UK-led efforts & called on #Syrian regime to provide easier access for aid workers. Must now be delivered.
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) October 2, 2013
Very welcome news that UN Security Council has agreed on need for unhindered humanitarian access in #Syria. Vital that aid can get through
— Justine Greening (@JustineGreening) October 2, 2013
