Syria: Statement on the Political and Humanitarian Situation

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, USG Martin Griffiths and Mr. Khaled Erksoussi for their briefings on the political and humanitarian situation in Syria.

As this is the first time that USG Martin Griffiths is briefing the Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, Kenya warmly welcomes you and looks forward to working closely with you to fulfill your mandate.

Kenya welcomes the combined consideration of the political and humanitarian situations in Syria and we reiterate that Kenya's principal interest is the safety, wellbeing, and peace of the people of Syria.

We reiterate once again that the only solution to the conflict and situation in Syria is a political one. It is for this reason that the parties and stakeholders must genuinely commit to breaking the ongoing impasse with respect to the resumption of the constitutional committee meetings and commit to the implementation of Resolution 2254.

We call on the parties to give serious consideration to the Special Envoy's suggested bridging proposals and commit to constructively taking steps towards building hope, reconciliation, peace, political stability and prosperity for Syria. The Syrian people are looking up to them to deliver on these critical components.

Kenya is gravely concerned by the uptick in hostilities and levels of insecurity. We deplore the frequent sporadic crossline fire, indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes in the Northwest in Southern Idlib and in the Southwest, particularly in the Dar'a and Suweida Governates. These attacks are worsening the conflict and jeopardizing any prospects for peace and a return to normalcy.

We cannot overemphasise the need to de-escalate violence and for all the parties to honour and adhere to the nationwide ceasefire as well as renew their commitments to the cessation of hostilities.

They must prioritise the protection of civilians, including in the Al-Hol camp where there are growing threats against women and girls and the protection of critical civilian infrastructure.

We re-emphasise the need for renewed efforts to combat Security Council listed terrorist groups such as ISIL and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) including holding accountable those responsible for heinous crimes.

Mr. President

The worsening humanitarian situation compounded by the economic distress and the COVID-19 pandemic remains of grave concern. Food security continues to deteriorate with inadequate food consumption which has increased nationwide by 15 per cent.

Further, the climate change impacts which have reduced water levels in the Euphrates River and the Alouk water station has major implications on water and food security as well as electricity for millions of people. We call for appropriate measures to address this alarming development.

Kenya commends the United Nations' humanitarian response through the Early Recovery and Livelihoods (ERL) activities which enables people in need to regain their way of life through essential services and livelihood opportunities, especially for the most vulnerable. This initiative is a promise of hope for recovery towards normalcy.

We note that there are still 3.4 million people in Northwest Syria and a further 1.3 million people in Northeast Syria in need of humanitarian aid. We are pleased that the cross-border aid mechanism remains a crucial avenue for humanitarian assistance including the COVID-19 vaccines to reach these people.

We are further encouraged by the increase from 10 to 12 per cent in regular and sustained crossline operations in the Northeast, particularly in the Hasakah Governorate. We continue to encourage the Government of Syria and the UN to keep working on concluding an agreement that will enable crossline deliveries in the Northwest.

In closing, Kenya welcomes the Special Envoy's planned visit to Damascus and hopes that it will yield outcomes that will mark a step forward in the search for sustainable peace for Syria. Kenya stands in solidarity with the people of Syria in their quest for lasting peace through a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political dialogue and will, in this regard, engage constructively.

I thank you.