syria-un-20170427 4

United Nations Nations Unies Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 4 northern Aleppo continue to live in areas where civilian structures, including hospitals, come under regular aerial bombardment, and their access to basic goods such as food and shelter is limited. These civilians may no longer be besieged, but they have been forced to leave their homes and they continue to suffer. Ms. President, Given the shifting frontlines, all routes need to remain open to allow people safe passage, and for aid to reach people in need throughout Syria through the most direct routes by the brave humanitarian aid workers. We have seen innovations of necessity successfully implemented through air drops to Deir ez-Zor and the air bridge to Qamishly. Now, with needs increasing in north-east Syria and more traditional routes inaccessible, an increasing number of UN partners are looking for alternatives. The number of international NGOs operating out of north-east Syria has nearly quadrupled in the last year, and is expected to grow further as needs continue to outstrip the assistance being provided. A land route from Aleppo to Qamishly to provide support to Raqqa is also being negotiated and explored. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating, if that were possible, and the need for active engagement by members of the Council is urgently needed. The core needs of the Syrian people from the international community in general, and to those Member States seated at this Council in particular, remain largely unchanged. They include: A consolidation of the nationwide ceasefire, and in particular a pause in fighting in eastern Ghouta to enable the delivery of aid. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure by all parties to the conflict. The lifting of arbitrary and bureaucratic impediments by all parties throughout Syria. It is imperative that no country or group prevent people from moving in safety, and humanitarian organizations from accessing people in need wherever they are in Syria. A step-change in access to besieged and hard-to-reach locations is needed in order to ensure full implementation of UN inter-agency convoy plans, and to ensure delivery on the basis of humanitarian needs assessments. Also an end to the removal of medical items off of convoys. Immediate, unimpeded and sustained access to all in need throughout Syria. In particular, there must be an immediate lifting of all sieges