Despite a sharp increase in humanitarian needs across Syria, the United Nations Security Council today voted to further limit the scope of aid to more than four million civilians in North West Syria who depend on it.

The current resolution authorises the UN to deliver aid to North West Syria through one border crossing only, for the next twelve months. This decision to reduce the crossing points to one will reduce UN agencies and humanitarian actors’ ability to reach millions of people in North West Syria.

The border crossings are the only meaningful way for vital humanitarian aid – which millions rely on – to reach families in North West Syria.

Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said:

“Now is not the time to scale-back aid. There is no excuse for limiting the ability for humanitarian organisations to deliver aid when we are seeing a sharp increase in needs due to conflict, the first cases of COVID-19 announced, and economic collapse across the country. Millions of Syria’s children depend on this lifeline and will suffer the consequences of this decision.

“While the extension for twelve – rather than six - months is welcome, it is unacceptable that this has led to only one functioning border crossing. Children's lives depend on these border crossings operating fully. This scale back means that fewer children will be able to eat, to receive healthcare, to find shelter after being uprooted from their homes.

“The Security Council must stop playing politics and put children’s lives first. We call on the Security Council to urgently re-convene to scale up cross-border humanitarian assistance children in Syria.”

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Anna Pantelia, anna.pantelia@savethechildren.org / +30 694 568 9048

Rik Goverde, rik.goverde@savethechildren.org / +44 (0) 7732 602 301

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