Demanding obstacles removal to humanitarian aid access to Kobani

On Wednesday, the Social Affairs and Labor Body, along with the Humanitarian Organizations Office in Kobani, issued a statement calling on relevant authorities and the Interim Government to remove all obstacles and difficulties hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid to Kobani city, particularly aid from the people of North Kurdistan currently stranded at Kilis border crossing.

The statement, read by Manar Ahmed Ali; the member of the Social Affairs and Labor Body, included, "As everyone knows, and in the result of the military operations witnessed in our region, a mass exodus towards Kobani city began, increasing the city's population to over 500,000, as the existing infrastructure has no longer been able to cope with this influx, leading to a severe crisis in access to shelter, food, clean water, and healthcare amid harsh weather conditions.

In response to this situation, several UN agencies and the International Red Cross have sent aid to the city, in addition to assistance provided by civil society organizations and institutions in the Kurdish city of Amed (Diyarbakir) and from South Kurdistan."

The statement continued, "On April 18, 2026, a second aid convoy of 22 trucks loaded with food, medicine, and clothing was sent from North Kurdistan to assist Kobani people through Kilis border crossing. However, the Interim Government prevented the convoy from reaching Kobani, and the supplies were placed in a warehouse belonging to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) at the border crossing."

The statement demanded: “The Interim Government remove all obstacles preventing the delivery of this aid to Kobani and ensure its delivery to the relevant institutions and organizations that have been active on the ground since the beginning of the crisis. It also called for an end to the politicization of humanitarian aid and urged the provision of assistance in this regard.”

The statement called on international actors, particularly the United Nations, to provide assistance and facilitate the delivery of this aid to Kobani, given the urgent needs of the population.

In closing, the Social Affairs and Labor Authority in Kobani expressed its gratitude to the people of North Kurdistan and all those who contributed to collecting this aid.

The statement called on the Interim Government to remove all obstacles preventing aid from reaching Kobani and to ensure its delivery to the relevant institutions and organizations that have been active on the ground since the beginning of the crisis. It also urged the government to refrain from politicizing humanitarian aid and to provide assistance in this regard.

The statement further called on international actors, particularly the United Nations, to provide assistance and facilitate the delivery of aid to Kobani, given the urgent needs of the population.

In closing, the Social Affairs and Labor Body in Kobani expressed its gratitude to the people of North Kurdistan and all those who contributed to collecting this aid.

ANHA