Syria: Statement on the Humanitarian Situation (VTC)

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Mark Lowcock and Sonia Khush, and for their insightful briefings on the humanitarian situation in Syria.

It is unfortunate that the dire humanitarian situation in Syria marked by a seemingly unending and untold suffering of innocent peace-loving people of Syria including vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, women and children, has persisted against the backdrop of protracted violent conflict. This Council has a vital duty to engage on and prioritize the needs of the Syrian people whose situation is not improving despite the Council having deliberated over Syria for a decade.

We note with concern, OCHA's estimation of 13 million people remaining in need of humanitarian assistance within Syria, excluding the millions of refugees in the region which presents the urgent requirement of more rigorous and urgent action to alleviate suffering.

Kenya's firm belief is that there should be no limitation to the delivery of aid. Indeed, it is critical that all the opposing parties cooperate in ensuring timely, safe, sustained and unimpeded access by the United Nations and all humanitarian partners to people in need across the Syrian Arab Republic. We therefore support the effective distribution of cross border humanitarian aid and the need for strengthened, robust and unimpeded cross line aid in order to reach more and more people and mitigate their unnecessary suffering.

Madame President,

It is no secret that the dismal humanitarian situation is being exacerbated by Syria's deteriorating economic conditions as well as continued food insecurity. This is evidenced by the inability of citizens to feed their families because they cannot afford to buy standard food baskets whose prices remain beyond their reach.

I reaffirm Kenya's position against the use of unilateral coercive measures as they continue to have an undeniable negative impact that impedes the full realization of social and economic development as well as the overall well-being of the population in Syria.

Furthermore, the imperative for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers could not be overstated. We are concerned that humanitarian workers are targeted regularly in the North West and North East of Syria by ISIS and local armed groups using bombs and IEDs resulting in the fear of humanitarian workers fulfilling their duties.

In this regard, Kenya welcomes the Secretary General's announcement of the establishment of a three-person independent senior advisory panel to strengthen the "deconfliction mechanism" to avoid potential hazards for humanitarian personnel thereby lowering the incidence of attacks on schools, hospitals and camps.

Madame President,

Kenya's delegation believes that sustainable peace goes hand-in-hand with development. A development-oriented approach will help build the resilience of individuals, communities and institutions – enabling them to cope better with their situation and reduce the longer-term need for humanitarian aid.

In this regard, the Security Council should start laying emphasis on a resilience-based humanitarian response to the crisis in Syria which includes the reconstruction of critical infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, undertaking economic recovery and job creation programmes targeting the youth, and implementing social cohesion measures.

In conclusion, Madame President, we challenge all parties to the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law for the protection and fulfillment of humanitarian assistance and for the return of international norms. I reiterate Kenya's unequivocal support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political dialogue as the only approach that will lead to a sustainable solution to the conflit in Syria.

I thank you.