UN Chief Urges New Transit Point For Aid To Syria
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published February 23, 2020 | 09:30 AM
United Nations, United States, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Feb, 2020 ) :UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the Security Council to authorize a new passage point on the Turkish border to allow humanitarian aid to reach the embattled population of northeast Syria, where medical supplies are running short.
The recommendation came in a report issued Friday to Council members and seen Saturday by AFP.
Western members of the Security Council had asked Guterres in early January to provide new options after the Council, under pressure from Russia, drastically reduced the number of border crossings authorized for delivering humanitarian aid to the hard-pressed population of northeast Syria.
The Western powers had specifically asked for alternatives to compensate for the closing of the Al Yarubiyah transit point on Syria's border with Iraq.
"Several options can be made available," Guterres said in his report, "but from a security and logistical perspective, in the current context, the Tal Abiyad border crossing would constitute the most feasible alternative to the Al Yarubiyah border crossing." Tal Abiyad, which can handle the logistics of a major aid operation, is controlled on the Syrian side by non-governmental armed groups.
The secretary-general said two other passage points on the Iraqi border -- Al Walid and Fishkabur, both under Kurdish control -- were studied but found to lack logistical capacity.
The Syrian government had suggested another Iraqi border passage, at Abu Kamal, but it was found to have logistical and security problems.
Since the closing of Al Yarubiyah, only two passage points remain on the Turkish border, with both focusing on food and other aid.
Considerable medical assistance had passed through Al Yarubiyah.
International aid -- mainly food -- has also been funneled through Damascus.
But last year not a single medical convoy for the northeast passed through the Syrian capital, the Guterres report said.
"An estimated 1.9 million people are assessed to be in need of humanitarian assistance in northeast Syria, the vast majority of whom -- 1.34 million people -- are in areas not under government control," Guterres said.
"Medical stocks are expected to run out in the coming months."The Security Council is slated to take up the report during a monthly meeting Thursday devoted to the Syrian humanitarian crisis.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 hours ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
1 day ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
2 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
2 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
3 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
4 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
8 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
9 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
14 days ago