US diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield to force for Syria aid in Turkey visit
03 June, 2021
Senior US diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield will visit Turkey this week to push for the continuation of cross-border aid deliveries into war-torn Syria, before a UN Security Council debate that could end the humanitarian convoys.
Ms Thomas-Greenfield will check out Turkey on Wednesday for talks with senior officials, humanitarians and Syrian refugees, the US objective to the UN said on Tuesday.
The “visit comes as America works with the US, allies and partners to reauthorise and expand the UN’s ability to provide humanitarian cross-border aid into Syria", the mission said.
The mandate for the aid expires on July 10 and faces opposition from Russia, the Syrian government's main ally on the council.
“Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield can emphasise the urgent dependence on additional crossings and stepped-up international assistance, seeing that there is no viable option to alleviate the vast necessities of vulnerable populations found in northern Syria,” the US mission said.
Those needs “have sole been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
The US objective said the trip would “recognise Turkey’s crucial role in the facilitation of cross-border assistance” and the work of humanitarians in providing “life-saving assist with millions in Syria who otherwise have no usage of desperately needed food and supplies".
The 15-nation UN council at first authorised cross-border aid businesses into Syria in 2014 at four points.
This past year, it reduced usage of one entry from Turkey after opposition from Russia and China to renewing all four.
The US and other council members have pushed to expand cross-border operations.
A resolution to increase council approval needs 9 votes in favour and no veto from the five permanent customers - Russia, China, Britain, France and the US.
The UN's top humanitarian, Tag Lowcock, has called cross-border aid deliveries a “lifeline” for approximately 3 million Syrians in the country’s turbulent north, where rebels continue steadily to hold out against forces faithful to President Bashar Al Assad.
Russia says the deliveries are no more necessary and that distribution of foodstuff, fuel, remedies and other aid ought to be overseen from the administrative centre, Damascus.
Source: www.thenationalnews.com