Syria: Statement on the Humanitarian Situation (High-Level VTC)

Excellency Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State, Excellencies,

Let me begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on a successful stewardship of the Security Council for the Month of March 2021.

I thank Mr. Mark Lowcock, Ms. Henrietta Fore and Dr. Amani Ballour for their briefings.

This month marks the 10th Anniversary of the grim and protracted conflict in Syria, that has resulted in a colossal refugee and internal displacement dilemma and a humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions - affecting virtually the entire population in Syria and beyond.

Syria - a country that once knew peace and prosperity is facing the biggest economic crisis with the depreciation of the value of the Syrian pound by ninety nine percent (99%), further compounding the suffering of millions. As we speak, about sixty percent (60%) of the population is considered food insecure. A two hundred and thirty six percent (236%) increase on the cost for an average food basket over the course of 2020 has made food unaffordable by the average family.

In addition, a generation of children in Syria have been robbed of their childhoods as all they have ever known is conflict and violence. Besides, many children have to support their families by looking for food instead of going to school and dreaming of a bright and hopeful future.

Mr. President,

The drawn-out man-made humanitarian crisis in Syria, ten years on, is simply not acceptable. This Council has a moral obligation to engage on, and act decisively to alleviate the protracted unnecessary suffering. To this end, I wish to underscore four points:

First: It is fundamental that the delivery of principled humanitarian assistance is unimpeded and unhindered in order to reach the most people in critical need. In this regard, cross border and cross line assistance must be streamlined, strengthened and operationalized in line with applicable commitments and international humanitarian law.

Second: Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected. Humanitarian workers are targeted regularly by terrorists and armed groups, including in the camps that host the most vulnerable including the elderly, persons with disabilities, women and children. Stemming attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure including by terrorist groups should be prioritized to make the delivery of humanitarian aid possible.

Third: It is important to begin placing emphasis on a resilience-based development response to the crisis in Syria which includes the reconstruction of critical infrastructure such as schools and hospitals and building social cohesion measures. The exceptional resilience of the Syrian people has been overstretched having had to cope with conflict for far too long. We therefore see great merit for the rebuilding of this resilience, through a gradual transition towards recovery and transformation.

Fourth: The international community should redouble its efforts in the provision of the much-needed humanitarian support. Kenya appreciates the countries and institutions that have stood with the Syrian people through their generous support. We commend the European Union for convening its Fifth international donor conference for Syria in Brussels which starts today and hope for its success.

Mr. President,

We all know that the only sustainable solution to the humanitarian crisis is a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Regrettably, this conflict has drawn a huge external interest portfolio, that has impeded the political process.

Divergent foreign interests must not be allowed to paralyze the hopes of the Syrian people for a bright conflict free future. We urge foreign powers including members of this Council who have interest in Syria - if they are moved by the suffering of millions – and I am certain they are, to set aside their differences and work together to facilitate the long-desired consensus towards a political solution in an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process.

We remain convinced that the multilateral system, and in particular, the UN Security Council must find ways to generate and facilitate consensus and collaborative approaches towards peace, reconciliation and dignity that the people of Syria have for so long deserved and longed for. Now is the time to deliver.

I thank you.