UN aid to NW Syria “should” continue across all border crossings – Amnesty
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Amnesty International appealed on Friday that the UN should continue delivering aid to northwestern Syria through Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai border crossings regardless of whether the Syrian government renews their authorization.
The Amnesty International, in a statement, said, “With millions of people impacted by the earthquake still dependent on UN cross-border aid for survival, the United Nations (UN) must continue to deliver aid through Bab al-Salam and Al-Rai border crossings after the 13 May expiry of the Syrian government’s authorisation, regardless of whether the government renews that consent.”
The authorization of the two border crossings is set to expire on May 13.
The Amnesty International called for the UN to “continue the cross-border delivery of aid through all available border crossings, regardless of whether or not the Syrian government gives consent.”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to allow United Nations aid deliveries to opposition-held areas in northwest Syria through two border crossings with Turkey for three months, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on February 13.
At dawn on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Syria and Turkey, killing thousands and injuring much more. The earthquake also caused immense destruction of buildings, trapping thousands under the rubble.
At least 1.414 deaths and 2.349 injuries have been confirmed in government-held areas, while 2.274 deaths and 12.400 injuries in northwest Syria. As for the areas of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), six deaths and 57 injuries were confirmed, according to statistics released by the authorities in the three regions.
Sherine Tadros, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director of Advocacy and Representative to the UN, said, “The lives of more than four million people are at stake and international law is clear that their rights must be paramount.”
Tardos stressed, “The UN should take a clear stand against the cruel political machinations that have hampered its humanitarian operations in northern Syria for several years.”
Since July 2020, the UN has been delivering aid to the conflict-torn area of north-west Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the border with Turkey.