Kuwait, Sweden seek renewal of UN authorization on aid to Syrians

Al-Otaibi urges sponsors of Astana peace deal to exercise their influence

NEW YORK, Dec 2, (KUNA): On behalf of Sweden and Kuwait, the Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations said the two cosponsors of the Syrian humanitarian dossier plan to work for extending the authorization of cross-border aid delivery to the Syrians in need.

There is an urgent need to renew the authorization, stipulated in the Security Council Resolution 2336 (of 2016) beyond Dec 31, 2018, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said at a Security Council session on the humanitarian situation in the Arab country on Thursday.

The authorization is essential for facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance, he said, voicing hope that the Council members would not let down the large numbers of Syrians who depend heavily on aid for survival.

Citing figures of UN aid agencies, Ambassador Al-Otaibi said there are nearly 13 million people, including five million children, in Syria who rely on external relief aid since the humanitarian situation in their country remains to be very bad.

As the crisis in Syria enters its eighth winter, more than 5.6 million Syrian refugees, including 2.5 million children, are forced to continue living in neighboring countries and more than one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are living in inaccessible areas.

Behind these figures, there are countless untold stories about the Syrian crisis, which is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history, he regretted.

After months of relative lull that followed the Turkish-Russian deal on cessation of hostilities in Idlib, north Syria, armed confrontations renewed in the last weeks, Al-Otaibi said.

He urged the sponsors of the Astana peace deal to exercise their influence on the Syrian adversaries to ensure commitment to the ceasefire in Idlib, Hamah, Aleppo and Deir-Ezzor amid reports of chemical weapon attack in Idlib.

Al-Otaibi reaffirmed Kuwait’s opposition to any use of chemical weapons whatever the justifications might be, noting that this is a war crime the provisions of the under international laws and conventions.

He urged all parties to abide by the international humanitarian law and avoid targeting civilian populations under any circumstances.

This year has seen more than 130 attacks on hospitals and other civilian targets, which is a despicable crime against humanity, he stressed.

Recalling a report by the UN Secretary-General, Al-Otaibi said there are numerous challenging facing the delivery of aid to the refugees and IDPs.

Meanwhile, he welcomed the recent resumption of delivery of assistance to nearly 50,000 people in Rukban camp, south Syria, near the borders with Jordan, after ten months hiatus.

The cross-border aid remains to be an indispensable lifeline for millions of people across Syria and a vital part of the UN humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis, he stressed.

Al-Otaibi shared the view of the UN Secretary-General that the regular monthly assessment of the humanitarian situation in Syria, set forth in the UNSC Resolution 2165 (2014) and the relevant subsequent resolutions, is an effective and indispensable means of helping the Syrians in need.

He highlighted the need of continued commitment to cessation of hostilities and sustainable cross-border delivery of aid pursuant to the Security Council Resolution 2401, unanimously adopted on Feb 24, 2018.

He welcomed as a step towards building confidence the deal between the Syrian government and armed groups on exchange of prisoners based on that resolution.

Al-Otaibi called on all parties to exert more efforts to activate the political process, persuant to the UNSC Resolution 2254, and step up the formation of a constitutional committee before the end of this year.