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www.unocha.org The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. United Nations Nations Unies Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR, STEPHEN O’BRIEN STATEMENT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON SYRIA New York, 30 March 2016 CHECKED AGAINST DELIVERY Mr. President, After five years of senseless and brutal conflict, we have all been longing for a glimmer of hope that the suffering of the Syrian people might finally be coming to an end. The past few weeks have brought such a glimmer, with far fewer civilians killed and injured since the Cessation of Hostilities came into effect one month ago. In some parts of the country at least, it has given a respite for people who have told us loud and clear that all they want is to be safe and for their families to be protected from violence. There has also been progress on humanitarian access, with the UN and partners reaching some additional besieged and hard-to-reach areas; some of which for the first time in many months or even years. However, much more is required, and we must continue to seek access to all those who need help. There remains no substitute for the process of permissions and careful negotiations with all parties for safe access to areas where vulnerable people are in order to meet their humanitarian needs. I very much welcome the resumption of the political talks last week led by Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. All of us must rally behind his tireless efforts to find a political solution that brings an end to the conflict and meets the aspirations of the Syrian people. After a chronicle of missed opportunities, this is the time for the various parties to come together and bring an end to this horrendous chapter in Syria’s history. Mr. President, I will focus this briefing on the latest information on humanitarian access. I am pleased to report that we have seen some signs of progress over the past few weeks. Humanitarian access has opened up to some besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Since the beginning of the year, we have reached 150,000 people in 11 of the 18 besieged areas in Syria through inter-agency convoys. Some of the places, such as the Madaya, Zabadani, Foah and Kefraya, collectively known as the Four Towns, have been reached each month this year. Efforts are also ongoing in order to reach safely the 200,000 people besieged in parts of Deir ez-Zor city through high-altitude WFP-led air drops