UN Security Council resolves to open gate for aid to Syria

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The United Nations Security Council’s unanimous resolution demanding rapid and unhindered access for urgently needed humanitarian aid to Syria will allow millions of Syrians in desperate need to receive assistance if implemented immediately, World Vision said today.

The Head of World Vision Australia’s Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs, Anthea Spinks, commended Australia and the other nations who make up the Security Council for the strength of their first united attempt to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria.

World Vision welcomes the Council’s demands for all parties to allow ‘rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access for UN humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners’ Ms Spinks said.

“However action to implement and enforce the resolution must be immediate if agencies are to be able to provide humanitarian assistance to some of the most vulnerable Syrians, especially children.”

The UN Security Council resolution passed unanimously, demands all parties to the conflict facilitate the ‘expansion of humanitarian relief operations’ inside and outside Syria.

The Council also condemned the widespread violations being committed against children by all parties to the conflict as set out in a recent report by the UN Secretary General and highlighted in World Vision’s own reporting, Ms Spinks said.

“This Security Council’s strong condemnation of these violations coupled with the resolution is a good first step toward protecting the children of Syria but unless the resolution is implemented swiftly, an entire generation of Syrians is still at risk of being lost,” Ms Spinks said.

More than 9.3 million people inside Syria and 2.3 million refugees in neighbouring countries remain in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Half of these are children she said.

World Vision is working in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria in areas such as food, education, water and sanitation, health and child protection.

To donate to World Vision Australia’s Syrian Refugee Crisis Response call 13 32 40 or go to www.worldvision.com.au

Anthea Spinks is available for interview.

Media contact: Gabrielle Brophy, 0407 575 112 orgabrielle.brophy@worldvision.com.au

Media Releases, Emergencies, Syrian Refugee Crisis, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Anthea Spinks, Disaster relief, Foreign Aid, Refugee Crisis, Syria, United Nations

Back to all Results