Syria: Longer-term Commitment Needed to Keep Lifesaving Aid Border Crossing Open – Save the Children

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Jan. 9, 2023)—Responding to the United Nations Security Council’s decision to renew what is currently the only effective route for aid into North West Syria for just six months, Matt Sugrue, Director of Program Operations at Save the Children Syria, said: 

“The Bab al-Hawa crossing is currently the only route the UN can use to provide lifesaving aid. There should be no possibility that this route could end again in July, when the number of children in need across Syria has just increased to a record 7 million this year due to ongoing conflict, hunger, and a severe economic crisis.

“Although this renewal will help millions of families who rely on humanitarian aid to survive, the short-term nature of it creates unnecessary uncertainty for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. A 12-month renewal should be the bare minimum required.

“The lives of millions of children are at stake. Save the Children is calling on the United Nations Security Council for a longer-term commitment to keep the lifesaving aid border crossing into North West Syria open.”