Oxfam's response as UN Security Council reviews progress on Humanitarian Access in Syria

On Wednesday 30 April, the Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, will address the UN Security Council on Syria.

Andy Baker, Oxfam’s lead for the Syria response, said:

"Sixty days after the UN Security Council's resolution ordering the removal of obstacles to humanitarian assistance, people continue to die from indiscriminate violence and because they are cut off from medicine and food.

"Across vast areas of Syria, millions of people are teetering on the edge of survival,unable to flee to safety and unsure when the next truck will reach them with supplies or the next bomb will drop.

"While there have been minimal improvements in some parts of the country, the aid getting through is not nearly enough. There can be no more excuses for inaction, delay or deliberate obstruction of aid.

"Paralyzing bureaucracy is also stifling aid efforts, with multiple levels of clearance required before aid can leave the warehouse or aid workers can enter or move around the country.

"It’s crucial that all states - and especially UN Security Council members - push for real change on the ground and a halt to violence. We must not be in this same deadlock in a month’s time."

You can support our work in Syria and neighboring countries by donating to our humanitarian appeal.