4.6 million civilians in northwest Syria face a catastrophic lack of access to medicine and food, with 4.1 million currently dependent on cross-border aid.
There is currently no viable alternative to UN-Led cross-border assistance that can meet the growing needs in non-regime-held areas of northern Syria. The Assad regime and Russia continue weaponizing crossline aid to punish the Syrian people for demanding freedom and democracy. As Syrians face a brutal winter season, a cholera outbreak, climbing suicide rates, and continued hostilities by the Assad regime and Russia, the international community must act to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Over the past few years, we have grown increasingly frustrated that the UNSC has allowed itself to be held hostage by Russia’s veto power. After aiding in the destruction of Syria, they’re now seeking to deny aid to those who have been internally displaced by their campaign of wanton violence. UN-Led Cross-border aid is a stopgap that leaves more than 4 million people at the mercy of Russia’s political whims. A durable solution that continues impartial cross-border humanitarian assistance without a Security Council mandate while supporting and utilizing local civil society groups is the only sustainable way forward"
Dr. Mahmoud Barazi, president of ACS
