The United Nations’ humanitarian mission to deliver aid to millions of people in northwest Syria through Turkey is set to resume operations on Thursday, following a temporary pause caused by the destructive earthquake that shook the region.
For years, the U.N. has deemed the sole border crossing from Turkey to the opposition-controlled area of Syria as the “beacon of hope” for nearly 4 million people who desperately rely on its aid.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a successful aid delivery across the border tomorrow,” declared Muhannad Hadi, the U.N.’s regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syrian crisis, during a press conference on Wednesday. The quake has resulted in over 12,000 fatalities in both Turkey and Syria.
Along with Hadi, acting top U.N. official in Syria, El-Mostafa Benlamlih, added that preparations are underway to send aid convoys to cross the frontlines within Syria and reach the northwest, the only route approved by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government for delivering assistance.
Hadi emphasized the importance of putting people first, saying, “We aim to reach those in need in the quickest, most economical and effective manner. Cross-line delivery is not a replacement for cross-border, but we hope that all parties involved will prioritize the well-being of the people and leave politics aside.”
It’s worth noting that last year, U.N. aid from Turkey reached 2.7 million people in northwest Syria every month, while only 43,500 people within Syria received aid each month since August 2021.
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