World Vision welcomes the renewal of the cross-border resolution on Syria
World Vision welcomes the UN Security Council adopting a resolution today that will allow UN cross-border operations in Syria to carry on for another 6 months, ensuring life-saving aid can continue to reach more than 4 million vulnerable people in Northwest Syria, particularly children.
The majority of residents in this isolated border area are dependent on cross-border humanitarian aid. They include more than 1.7 million girls and boys, close to half of whom are currently out of school, and in dire need of education and protection services. More than three million people are currently food insecure in Northwest Syria, while children, pregnant and breastfeeding women are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and stunting. Many of them are living in makeshift shelters and unable to protect themselves from the harsh winter weather which also exposes them further to the spread of deadly diseases such as cholera. More worryingly, the deteriorating humanitarian situation and uncertain future ahead has also resulted in a rise in suicidal ideation among women, girls and young people stuck in limbo in Northwest Syria, while available mental health services are not sufficient to cover growing needs.
With humanitarian needs in Syria at their highest, the extension of the UN cross-border resolution for another 6-months is key to answering to the urgent needs of women, children and young people. There is currently no alternative aid modality commensurate in scale, scope and transparency to that of the current UN cross-border mechanism. It provides a vital lifeline for aid agencies like World Vision to deliver relief items and life-saving services, particularly in the frigid winter season.
While this extension is welcomed, longer term solutions are urgently needed to ensure all Syrians can live safe, healthy lives and thrive following nearly 12 years of conflict and displacement. Diplomatic action and political solutions continue to be urgently required to increase and sustain predictable, principled humanitarian access across Syria. The survival of Syria’s children depends on it.