UN chief calls for expansion of humanitarian aid to Syrians

UNITED NATIONS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for the expansion of humanitarian aid to Syrians.

More than 70 percent of the population in Northwest Syria are in need. It is absolutely essential to maintain and increase the level of support, he told the Security Council.

Despite the United Nations' massive response in Syria and across the region, more humanitarian access is required to reach those most in need. It is important to maintain and expand access, including cross-border and cross-line operations, he said.

"We are in dialogue with Turkey and groups in control of the area, and I have strong hopes that it will be possible to start cross-line operations soon. But we must recognize that they will never be able to replace cross-border assistance at the present levels," said the UN chief.

In the past 12 months, the United Nations has been carrying out massive cross-border operations from Turkey into Northwest Syria, with more than 1,000 trucks moving through a single crossing point per month, he said, calling for consensus among the members of the Security Council on the renewal of the authorization of cross-border operations.

"A failure to extend the council's authorization would have devastating consequences. The Syrian people are in dire need, and it is essential to mobilize all our capacities, along all channels," said Guterres.

For many of Syria's people, the situation today is worse than at any time since the conflict began, he said.

As many as 13.4 million people across Syria need humanitarian assistance. Some 12.4 million people are food insecure. Gross domestic product has plummeted by 60 percent since 2011. Jobs have disappeared, prices have skyrocketed, and goods are scarce. People are coping by reducing meal sizes or forgoing them altogether, he said.

The economic crisis is now compounded by drought. COVID-19 is affecting the whole country. While a cease-fire is largely holding, there are constant violations, he noted. "The coping strategies of the Syrian people are at their absolute limit."

The UN humanitarian operation in Syria is the biggest in the world. The world body is seeking 4.2 billion U.S. dollars to ease the country's plight. Another 5.8 billion dollars is being requested to support refugees in the region. As of today, 636 million dollars for the Syria response and 600 million dollars for the regional response were recorded, he said. "That is a fraction of what is needed. I appeal to donors to step up life-saving assistance and in helping to build resilience to face these enormous challenges."