‘Catastrophe Averted’ For Syrian Refugees With One-Year Extension
July 14, 2021—In a sign that diplomacy can work, the United Nations Security Council voted 15-0 late last week on a plan to keep a key transportation route open for humanitarian aid for Syrians impacted by the 10-year civil war.
The action extends for one year a cross-border route along the Syrian-Turkish border for another 12 months. The high-level decision on the Bab al-Hawa border crossing impacts millions of Syrians.
“Parents can sleep tonight knowing that their children will be fed for the next 12 months. The humanitarian agreement we have reached here will literally save lives,” said Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. representative. She thanked Ireland and Norway for helping negotiate and draft the agreement.
U.S.-Russia Compromise Agreement
In the past, Russia opposed the border crossing based on its support for the territorial integrity of the country. Last year, Russia abstained from voting on the council’s resolution for keeping the route open. Thanks to the effective diplomatic work within the Security Council, Russia and the United States compromised on a plan.
The agreement came together as a result of planning by Ireland and Norway and involving the United States and Russia. It follows a meeting last month between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden. According to a Reuters article, the compromise resolution calls on the United Nations to draft a report in six months about Syrians’ access to international aid.
“We are pleased that, despite, all the difficulties and contradictions, the Security Council today managed to find an important point of contact on such a complex issue as a cross-border mechanism for the supply of humanitarian aid in Syria,” said Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s UN representative. “We are grateful to our American colleagues, who worked in the spirit of the agreements reached during the Geneva summit between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden.”
Cross-Border Plus Cross-Line
In a statement, the Russian representative called the agreement a “landmark achievement” that helps settle the Syrian crisis and address the consequences of war. He said the resolution sets a path for supplementing the cross-border aid delivery with cross-line humanitarian deliveries. “Hopefully, this kind of scenario will be a turning point that not only Syria and the Middle East, but the entire world will benefit from,” Nebenzia said.
Meanwhile, the deputy U.S. UN representative said the agreement showed what “what patient and quiet diplomacy” can do on humanitarian aid issues. “So we think there’s a real opportunity to continue to work to expand humanitarian assistance through all modalities,” Jeffrey Prescott said, according to the mission’s report.
Syria Promises Access
Bassam Sabbagh, Syria’s UN representative promised that the government would support access and support for United Nations agencies and partners participating in humanitarian work.
As the Global Economic Report previously reported, millions Syrians are dependent on relief aid as a result of the decade-long civil war. The UN previously reported the dire need for cross-border relief aid as the conditions have continued to deteriorate.
Additional reporting for this story by Patti Mohr
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