Syria’s Representative at the UN in Geneva calls for new approach for dealing with humanitarian issues in Syria

Geneva, SANA – Syria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations in Geneva Hussam Eddin Ala said that terrorism is the primary cause of humanitarian suffering among Syrians, calling for a new approach in dealing with the humanitarian situation in Syria based on prioritizing the causes of suffering and acknowledging that combating terrorism is the way to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

In a statement at the meeting of the UN office for coordinating humanitarian aid, Ala said that the areas where there are humanitarian needs in Syria are the ones where terrorists ran amok and vandalized the infrastructure and facilities, displaced locals, or used them as human shields.

He reviewed cases which were documented by UN teams operating in Syria where terrorists stole relief supplies or prevented their delivery to those who need them, noting that statistics by UN-affiliated humanitarian agencies operating in Syria show the vast extent of the cooperation on the part of the Syrian government and its facilitation of aid delivery via the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to those who need them in all Syrian areas without discrimination.

Ala went on to note that data and statistics show that relief delivered via the borders are ineffective, calling on the UN to focus efforts on delivering aid from within Syria to ensure that they arrive safely to those who actually need them instead of falling into the hands of terrorists, particularly since the UN has no mechanism to ensure that aid reaches those who need it in the areas where terrorists are active.

He asserted that the humanitarian work is a priority for the Syrian government, and it provides the largest part of humanitarian response via its cooperation with the UN and its agencies as per the response plan for 2015.

Ala concluded by reiterating the demand for the UN to lift the illegitimate unilateral steps taken against Syria by some states in blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law.

Hazem Sabbagh

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