The European Commission has urged the Russian Federation not to unnecessarily exacerbate suffering of millions of Syrian people over it’s decision to halt cross-border assistance in Northeast Syria.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the European Commission High Representative, Josep Borrell and the Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on the cross-border humanitarian deliveries.
EU deplored the veto power used by the Russian Federation in the UN Security Council on 11 July 2023 on the renewal of the United Nation Security Council Resolution 2672 (2023) regarding cross-border delivery in northeast Syria.
According to the Commission, “The non-renewal of UNSCR 2672 as a result of the Russian veto will further exacerbate already dire aid situation in northwest Syria and will gravely disrupt the delivery of life-saving humanitarian supplies to millions in need”.
EU expressed European concern about the impact of this decision and the further politicisation of humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need while called on the Security Council to undertake every effort to find a solution that will enable cross-border assistance to continue.
“As there is no adequate alternative to the UN-coordinated mechanism, the halting of cross-border delivery will lead to the loss of the only lifeline for more than 4 million people living in Northwest Syria.
“Including almost 3 million internally displaced persons. This will cause further unnecessary suffering to the Syrian people, that are affected by more than decade of conflict and the consequences of a devastating earthquake”, the Union said.
While welcoming the extension of the opening of the Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra’ee crossing points until 13 August 2023, EU recalled that this short-term bilateral agreement does not provide stable access for aid organisations to plan and deliver in a timely and efficient manner assistance in Northwest Syria.
The Commission promised do its utmost to provide much-needed life-saving humanitarian assistance to those in need in Northwest Syria through all the available modalities, which however cannot replace the lifeline provided by UN-coordinated cross-border humanitarian assistance.