In response to the results of the vote on a UN resolution continuing to allow cross-border aid into Syria, Oxfam’s Head of Office in New York, Brenda Mofya said:
“The UN Security Council’s decision to renew the cross-border resolution for only six months is deeply disappointing and could potentially leave more than four million people in northwest Syria without the assistance they depend upon to survive when the harsh winter months arrive. This unsustainable process is adding more uncertainty to an already precarious situation for vulnerable Syrians. If the Council should let it lapse again, humanitarian agencies will not be able to deliver vital assistance — including food, water, medicine, shelter and other essential services.
ʺSix months is not adequate time to plan for alternative methods of aid delivery in the absence of the cross-border option, nor to make significant progress in activities to help the country recover — like investing in agriculture and providing adequate electricity — that would help Syrians become less reliant on aid.
ʺNearly six out of ten Syrians are struggling to put food on the table—the highest number of people going hungry since the start of the conflict. With the number of people dependent on humanitarian aid in Syria greater than ever before, humanitarian organizations need more access to vulnerable people - not less. The renewal of the resolution for six months does not provide time to find sustainable solutions for Syrians who are living in poverty with few prospects for a better future 11 years after the start of the crisis.
“The Council must prioritize the lives of vulnerable Syrians over politics, and take decisive action to ensure that the support this cross-border resolution provides continues beyond January 2023.”
Notes to editors
Source for nearly six out of ten people are struggling to put food on table:
World Food Program, Syria Emergency, Syria emergency | World Food Programme (wfp.org)
Since 2013, Oxfam in Syria has been on the scene to get clean water to people affected by the conflict. We do this by trucking water to those who have no access to clean water and repairing damaged sections of the water and sewerage network so more families can access safe, clean water in their homes. Oxfam is also responding to people’s urgent needs by distributing cash and food. Oxfam is working with people to rebuild their lives. We support farmers to start farming again through trainings and distribution of seeds and animal fodder as well as repairing irrigation systems. We support bakers to start making bread again by rehabilitating bakeries destroyed by conflict. Oxfam is also working to support women to have a seat and a voice at the decision-making table within their households and communities. Oxfam is currently working in 8 governorates, and has been reaching on average 1 million people per year for the past three years.
Contact information
Lauren Hartnett in the US | lauren.hartnett@Oxfam.org | +1 (203) 247-3920
For updates please follow @NewsFromOxfam and @Oxfam
Source for nearly six out of ten people are struggling to put food on table:
World Food Program, Syria Emergency, Syria emergency | World Food Programme (wfp.org)
Since 2013, Oxfam in Syria has been on the scene to get clean water to people affected by the conflict. We do this by trucking water to those who have no access to clean water and repairing damaged sections of the water and sewerage network so more families can access safe, clean water in their homes. Oxfam is also responding to people’s urgent needs by distributing cash and food. Oxfam is working with people to rebuild their lives. We support farmers to start farming again through trainings and distribution of seeds and animal fodder as well as repairing irrigation systems. We support bakers to start making bread again by rehabilitating bakeries destroyed by conflict. Oxfam is also working to support women to have a seat and a voice at the decision-making table within their households and communities. Oxfam is currently working in 8 governorates, and has been reaching on average 1 million people per year for the past three years.
Lauren Hartnett in the US | lauren.hartnett@Oxfam.org | +1 (203) 247-3920
For updates please follow @NewsFromOxfam and @Oxfam