UN calls for ending violence in Syria to enable aid entry
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – United Nations Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi,called on Wednesday for an end to violence in Syria in order to enable humanitarian assistance to be delivered to all regions of the country.
The remarks were made at the second meeting of the International Syria Support Group’s (ISSG) Humanitarian Task Force (HTF) after the earthquake that hit Syria on February 6.
At dawn on Feb. 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and Syria, killing 44.000 individuals. It also caused the destruction of hundreds of buildings, leaving many people homeless.
The meeting, held in Geneva, focused on how to facilitate humanitarian assistance to all affected areas in the country. Rochdiexpressed the UN’s readiness to work with all parties to the conflict to address the needs of all Syrians.
In Syria, at least 8.8 million people have been affected by the earthquake, and most of them need humanitarian assistance, Rochdi noted.
“The earthquake struck when needs in Syria were already at an all-time high,” Rochdi added.
She also reiterated that the issue of humanitarian assistance must not be politicized.
Additionally, she called for the increase of cross-line support into northwest Syria following the approval by the Syrian government to open two further border crossings.
On Feb. 14, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad agreed to allow United Nations aid deliveries to opposition-held areas in northwest Syria through two border crossings with Turkey for a period of three months.
The deputy called on all concerned parties to secure the necessary approvals and security guarantees without delay.
There also must be simplified and expedited procedures for humanitarian staff movement without restrictions into northwest Syria, Rochdi stressed.