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| File Photo: United Nations, NY, New York, USA |
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations and its partners are "ready to roll" with aid to Syrians in besieged areas, but the deteriorating security situation in the country is keeping it from being delivered, the UN humanitarian chief said yesterday.
Undersecretary-General Stephen O'Brien said that attacks have left nearly 2 million Syrians without access to electricity and the public water system, while food and medicine stocks are running dangerously low.
"We have supplies ready to roll, food rations, hospital supplies, ambulances, fuel for generators, water supplies and more," O'Brien said after briefing the Security Council. "We could deliver these within 24 to 48 hours if we have safe access."
O'Brien said the targeting of hospitals and clinics has continued unabated in the conflict, now in its sixth year.
"The security situation has been too grave, too difficult even for the very, very brave UN and humanitarian partners — people on the ground who are determined to deliver. They are brave but they are not suicidal, we have to have security conditions in place, O'Brien added.
He said Security Council members seemed receptive to his call for a weekly 48-hour humanitarian pause but that the details must still be worked out.
Undersecretary-General Stephen O'Brien said that attacks have left nearly 2 million Syrians without access to electricity and the public water system, while food and medicine stocks are running dangerously low.
"We have supplies ready to roll, food rations, hospital supplies, ambulances, fuel for generators, water supplies and more," O'Brien said after briefing the Security Council. "We could deliver these within 24 to 48 hours if we have safe access."
O'Brien said the targeting of hospitals and clinics has continued unabated in the conflict, now in its sixth year.
"The security situation has been too grave, too difficult even for the very, very brave UN and humanitarian partners — people on the ground who are determined to deliver. They are brave but they are not suicidal, we have to have security conditions in place, O'Brien added.
He said Security Council members seemed receptive to his call for a weekly 48-hour humanitarian pause but that the details must still be worked out.
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