UN Security Council Vote to Halt Cross-Border Aid from Iraq ‘Chokes off a Critical Lifeline’ to Syria

Statement by Refugees International’s Senior Advocate for the Middle East Sahar Atrache on the UN Security Council’s decision to halt cross-border aid into northeast Syria from Iraq:

 “The United Nations Security Council’s vote tonight to exclude the Al Yarubiyah border crossing from its renewal of the UN cross-border aid mechanism for Syria will create significant human suffering. The new resolution will prevent vital lifesaving assistance from reaching northeast Syria from Iraq. The UN estimates that up to 1.4 million civilians could be affected and that 50 percent of health facilities in northeast Syria could close within three months. The people of northeast Syria are still recovering from the Islamic State crisis. Last October, Turkey invaded the area displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. Today’s vote chokes off a critical lifeline for many in serious need and puts lives at risk.” 

For more information or for an interview with Sahar, please contact Sarah Sheffer at ssheffer@refugeesinternational.org or +1 203 305 9880.