UNITED NATIONS, Mar 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) – UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, yesterday, called for more humanitarian access to Syria and for the protection of children in the war-torn country.
UNICEF and its partners need regular access to north-west Syria, to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, Fore told the Security Council in a briefing.
The Security Council’s 12-month renewal of authorisation for cross-border delivery, provided a necessary window to help people in desperate need. But the needs are multiplying, she said.
Last year, there was a 20 percent increase in the number of people needing humanitarian assistance in the north-west. Over 55,000 children are acutely malnourished and will face dire consequences, without a continuation of access and humanitarian assistance, she said.
“We cannot turn our backs on the 3.4 million people in need, there, including 1.7 million children. They’re living in crowded camps or informal settlements, with limited or non-existent access to electricity, health care or water plants. This aid is the only lifeline they have.”
She called on the Security Council to renew the authorisation for cross-border assistance and to spare no effort, to reach an agreement on accessing children through cross-line operations, to reach Idlib governorate and other parts of the north-west.
Fore called on all parties to immediately stop attacks on children, hospitals, schools and vital civilian infrastructure, like water plants.
She asked the Security Council to support UNICEF’s call for the safe, voluntary and dignified release, repatriation and reintegration of children in the north-east.
“Syria is disintegrating before our eyes. After 10 years (of conflict), it’s time to put the guns down, come to the negotiation table, and reach a lasting peace agreement. Until then, our teams are staying and delivering. We believe in a brighter future for the children of Syria,” she said.
“For millions of war-weary Syrian children, hope is all they have. We call on this council to not only keep their hope alive, but match it with the solutions and support they need, and the lasting peace they deserve.”
