2.7 Million Syrians Lose Humanitarian Aid After UN’s Resolution Conflict
As of today, 2.7 million refugees’ lives are at stake, malnourished and sick women, children, and fearless fighters are being left without support in their time of need. All of this is due to Russia using their veto power against the United Nations’ agreement upon renewal of Resolution 2165 in the past week. Made in 2014, this resolution was made with effort towards protecting victims of the Syrian civil war, which has been going on since March of 2011 and is between the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, and the rebelling party. This resolution was created to “establish a monitoring mechanism, under the authority of the United Nations Secretary-General (Resolution 2165 United Nations, pg 3⁄4 ),” which would also implement four major passageways from Syria to neighboring countries that refugees can safely go through with added humanitarian support. These four crossings are within Syrian cities known as Bab al-Salam, Bab al-Hawa, Al Yarubiyah, and Al-Ramtha.
In an informal press conference on January 10th, The Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations, Christoph Heusgen, announced that 2165 could not be further agreed upon, due to the renewal of one of the passings that border Iraq; “We deeply regret that it has not been possible to agree on the extension of the third border crossing, Al Yarubiyah, which is essential for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and particular medical aid to Northeast Syria. (Heusgen).”
Kelly Craft, the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations later states that “It is the Russian federation that has brought us to this point” and further claims “We will not, for one second, forget the Syrian people and humanitarian aid that they deserve and that we have committed [towards] (Craft).” Craft goes further in this by claiming that the United States has one reasonable conclusion, Russia is actively supporting the Assad Regime in an attempt to neglect its opponents of the civil war. Russia briefly responded, claiming that they still support and realize humanitarian assistance is needed, that Northeast Syria is still receiving that support, and that they are open to new Northeast passages being considered, no further claims were made.
