Andrew Mitchell – 2023 Statement on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2672 on Cross-border Aid to Syria

The statement made by Andrew Mitchell, the Minister of State for International Development, on 9 January 2023.

The United Nations Security Council has today adopted Resolution 2672, allowing the delivery of UN cross-border aid into Syria to continue for a further six months. This is a welcome step, but more must be done to tackle the unprecedented humanitarian needs across the country. And we reiterate the importance of the mandate to align with the 12 month humanitarian programme cycle as the most effective way to deliver aid to people in need.

Across Syria, more than 15 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and 12 million are food insecure. Without a commitment to open more border crossings and uncertainty over aid delivery in the longer term, these terrifying levels of need will continue.

For as long as there is conflict, cross-border aid access remains a tragic necessity. The UK will continue to support international efforts to avoid a further humanitarian crisis, as well as push for a credible political settlement, as the only way to bring an end to the conflict.