Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 15th Feb. UN head Antonio Guterres on Tuesday announced a $397 million relief appeal to aid the people of Syria, to help secure “desperately needed” relief for nearly five million people, told reporters in New York.
Mr. Guterres told that aid “must get through from all sides” and the funding would cover an initial period of three months.
He said a similar appeal is being finalised for survivors across the border in Türkiye.
Guterres said UN has provided $50 million through the Central Emergency Response Fund but the needs are immense”.
“The Syria effort brings together the entire UN system and humanitarian partners and will help secure desperately needed, life-saving relief for nearly 5 million Syrians – including shelter, healthcare, food and protection.”
He said providing the relief was the most effective way for countries to help the war-shattered country, which is still in the grip of a 12-year civil war, with much of the quake zone in the northwest border region, controlled by opposition fighters, with many living there displaced multiple times and already in a state of humanitarian crisis.
“We all know that lifesaving aid has not been getting in at the speed and scale needed”, he stated with millions of people “struggling for survival, homeless and in freezing temperatures.”
He declared “We are doing all we can to change this but much more is needed”.
“I have an urgent message to the international community: the human suffering from this epic natural disaster should not be made even worse by manmade obstacles – access, funding, and supplies.
“Aid must get through from all sides, to all sides, through all routes – without any restrictions”, he emphasized.
He noted that after Syria’s assurances last night, two extra crossings were now open to allow more aid into the northwest.
“As we speak, an 11-truck convoy is on the move to cross through Bab Al-Salam with many more to come”, he said.
He called on all Member States and others in the donor community, “to fully fund this effort without delay and help the millions of children, women and men whose lives have been upended by this generational disaster.
“This is a moment for unity, for common humanity and concerted action.”
Mr. Guterres said the reality was that the crossings were open, and movement was taking place, he was asked if a Security Council resolution was needed to cement the bilateral agreement between the UN and Syrian authorities.
On to negotiate with military opposition leaders in the northwest beyond the control of Syrian authorities, he said his call for all aid corridors to be opened, “without restrictions”.
Comments are closed.