New York, NY, February 27, 2020 — The UN Security Council will meet again today to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Despite calls for a ceasefire from UN officials, heads of government, and the Syrian people themselves, the Council has failed to unite around this most basic aspect of its mandate – protecting civilians and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, said:
“As the UN Security Council meets today, it is urgent for Council members to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Idlib. In just the last week since the Council met to discuss Syria, 48,000 civilians have been displaced, almost 950,000 to date – over half a million of them children. On Tuesday, 10 schools were hit and 21 people – including nine children – were killed. Although the number of fatalities continues to rise – over 40 children have been killed this month alone – international engagement is stagnant. As one Syrian said, “the world wants us to die in silence.” Council members have an opportunity to use their voice and their vote for the Syrian people, to end this violence. The time to protect Syrians is running out. The time for action is now.
“It is good that Germany and Belgium are sending their Ministers to today’s Security Council meeting but where are the other Ministers? This crisis demands the urgent attention of the world’s leaders. Yesterday’s demarche of the UN Secretary General by nine Council members was a positive step. The Secretary General’s engagement is needed now to broker an urgent ceasefire. This crisis demands the urgent attention of the world’s leaders. The parties to the conflict must feel pressure to end this assault on civilians before more lives are lost. Today’s discussion about cross border humanitarian aid must also make clear that there is no alternative lifeline for Syrian civilians outside of the cross border mechanism. The Council has an obligation to renew the cross border resolution and ensure humanitarian access by the most direct routes to those most in need is maintained.
“The session will also be an opportunity to discuss the UN Secretary General’s report on the impact of the cross border resolution adopted in January, which shamefully rolled back humanitarian access in Syria, removing a critical border crossing from Iraq into Kurdish-controlled areas of Northeast Syria. This crossing, at Yaroubiya, was used to transport critical medicine and medical supplies. The report warns that medical stocks are expected to run out in the coming months; that reproductive health kits could be depleted by March; and that items needed to undertake medical procedures related to maternal health, like caesarian section, will not be available. The lives of mothers and babies will be placed in needless jeopardy. The UN says that by May there is likely to be a gap in basic medicines in medical facilities – further limiting the ability of doctors and nurses to treat those in need. This again makes it crystal clear – there is no alternative to cross border humanitarian aid.
“Moreover, the task of this report was to identify feasible alternative border crossing points to Yaroubiya that would “ensure humanitarian assistance throughout Syria through the most direct routes and in accordance with humanitarian principles.” If evaluated by those three, clear metrics, we believe the alternatives in the report would come with untenable security, logistic, and access challenges and constraints. Re-opening Yaroubiya is the only option that passes the test.
“Council members must adopt a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Idlib and make clear their support for the renewal of cross border humanitarian aid. Anything less is a serious abdication of the Council’s authority and global standing.”
The IRC is a member of the Global Emergency Response Coalition, who has launched an appeal this week to raise funds for the Syria crisis. The Global Emergency Response Coalition is a lifesaving humanitarian alliance made up of leading U.S.-based international aid organizations.