Aid agencies hail unprecedented UN vote as potential lifeline for Syrians
Diplomatic breakthrough must translate into action on the ground
A UN Security Council resolution passed today, which directly authorizes the delivery of aid to Syrians across borders and conflict lines, is a diplomatic breakthrough that must translate into real change on the ground, according to a coalition of 34 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
With nearly 11m Syrian people in need, and the humanitarian situation worsening by the day, the commendable progress made in New York after weeks of negotiation “must now lead to a massive increase in aid to those who need it”, says a joint statement released by the organisations, including World Vision, Oxfam, Save the Children and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
“This new resolution represents rare consensus on Syria among the five permanent members of the Security Council, but it is also a mark of failure on the ground to reach millions of people still in desperate need after the last resolution in February. Inaction has cost too many lives for too long - it is time to live up to the ideals of the international system,” said David Miliband, Chair of the International Rescue Committee. “It is vital for the Council’s credibility that this new resolution is now implemented, and results in a measurable increase in aid getting through to those in hard to reach areas - anything less would make a mockery of the international system,” he added.
An earlier resolution (2139) also called for cross border and cross line access, but depended upon permission being granted by the Syrian authorities. The resolution passed today directly grants authorization to UN agencies to deliver aid without state consent. This is significant because things have actually got worse since the last resolution was passed – with a further 1.5m in need, and access worsening.
"If implemented correctly, this is a potential game changer. We are looking forward to working closely with the UN to ensure that existing humanitarian operations are expanded, not duplicated or undermined. We ask that no restrictions be placed on our use of the most expeditious routes to deliver aid. We also desperately need improvements in other areas, such as prompt approval of visas and travel requests, and permission to chose and work with local partners," said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
UN OCHA has estimated that authorization for cross-border access could allow the UN to potentially reach between approximately 1.3 and 2.5 million more people in need.