UN extends aid delivery to Syria across borders

NEWS DESK

The United Nations Security Council voted on Thursday to authorize the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria across the border for another year, the Associated Press reported, citing "outrage" at the continuing violence in the country and the "plight" of the devastating humanitarian situation.

The resolution, sponsored by Kuwait and Sweden, was adopted by a 13-member vote against Russia's main ally of Syria with China from voting.

"The cross-border assistance provides a vital lifeline for millions of Syrians who can not be supported by other means," Mark Enoch, UN humanitarian Chief said.

"We will do our utmost to maintain aid as effectively and responsibly as possible," he said.

He stressed that the situation was "particularly difficult" especially in northwestern Syria, where about 3 million people are still dependent on cross-border assistance.

The agency said the decision reflected "anger at the unacceptable level of violence and killing hundreds of thousands of people, including dozens of thousands of child victims, as a result of the Syrian conflict."

The Security Council reiterated its "deep concern at the continuing devastating humanitarian situation in Syria and the fact that urgent humanitarian assistance, including medical assistance, is required by more than 13 million people," including 6.2 million who fled their homes and more than 1 million people are still  living in areas difficult to reach.

The resolution renewed cross-border renditions until 10 January 2020 and called for unimpeded access to humanitarian convoys from the UN and its partners. "The situation will continue to deteriorate further in the absence of a political solution to the Syrian conflict," he said.

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ANHA