Pedersen Calls for Reciprocal Steps to Ease Suffering of Syrians

Arab World

August 25th, 7:37am

Washington - Ali Barada

Destroyed buildings in eastern Aleppo city, Syria. (file photo- OCHA)

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen urged on Tuesday key states, mainly Russia and the US, to work with him in exploratory discussions on a package of concrete, reciprocal steps to help save Syrian lives, ease their suffering, promote regional stability and further implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254. “The United Nations will do its utmost to facilitate implementation of all aspects of Resolution 2585 (2021), which extends authorization of Bab al-Hawa border crossing and sends a message that key States – notably the Russian Federation and the United States – can cooperate beyond the humanitarian track,” Pedersen said. Briefing the Security Council on the urgent need for a nationwide ceasefire and increased humanitarian access, Pedersen referred to the significant troop deployments, heavy shelling and ground clashes in Syria’s southwest, especially in Daraa governorate. “We repeat our calls on all parties to end the violence immediately…safe and unimpeded humanitarian access is needed to all affected areas and communities,” the envoy said. Pederson noted that tensions are also high in the northwest, including Idlib, northern Latakia, Aleppo and western Hama, expressing concern about violence involving non-state armed groups in north-eastern areas of Raqqa and Hasakah. He called on the parties to abide by international humanitarian law and highlighted the importance of averting further displacement. The Special Envoy said his office is working to facilitate the convening of a sixth session of the Small Body of the Constitutional Committee. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths also briefed the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria. He called for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to end the violence, immediately and without preconditions. “This is necessary to spare lives and livelihoods. And I also recall that all parties to the conflict must respect civilians and civilian infrastructure and take constant care to spare them,” the UN official said. Griffiths urged the parties to facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected communities, including in Daraa al-Balad itself, and to allow safe passage for those wishing to leave. He discussed the economic crisis in Syria, in addition to water shortages and COVID-19, which he said are driving humanitarian needs for millions of already vulnerable people to some of the highest levels that we have seen since the start of the conflict. “Needs, of course, are outstripping the response, and much more support is required to alleviate the suffering in Syria,” he said. Griffiths revealed he plans to travel to Syria, Lebanon and Turkey for a "deeper understanding now in my new function of the complexities of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, as well as challenges for the months ahead."

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3151141/pedersen-calls-reciprocal-steps-ease-suffering-syrians